Topic 3: Locating sources of information
Finding and using information on a particular subject or topic is important
in all programs at University. Documents and other materials containing
information are usually called sources (short for sources of information).
Choosing the most appropriate sources for your research is an important
skill to develop—there’s far more to it than simply Googling a topic or
phrase and going with the first hits. Your lecturers will provide guidance
on appropriate scholarly sources for specific assessment tasks—for
example, Wikipedia is not an appropriate scholarly source for Universitylevel assignments because it is pitched at a level for the general population,
rather than a more specialist audience. This section describes the main
types of sources used at University^wand the types of information that they
can provide.
If you need help to locate the
right sources of information,
call or visit your campus
library, where staff will be
happy to assist. See:
http://cqu.edu.au/library
The Library has produced a
range of LibGuides to help you
to select and use information
sources. See: http://libguides.
library.cqu.edu.au/
Using books
A scholarly book, written by a specialist in the discipline, will contain
authoritative information; this can include comprehensive accounts of
research or scholarship, historical data, overviews, and expert views
on particular themes or topics. Use a book when you need background
information on a topic; when you want to add breadth or depth to a
topic; or to put the topic in context with other important issues.
Most course at CQUni have
prescribed textbooks and
some also recommend
supplementary textbooks. Find
out more at:
http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au/
texts.asp
Textbooks are a special case; they are written for students at a
particular level, aiming to provide instruction in all of the important
aspects of a particular area of study. Sometimes it takes years to write
and publish a textbook. Therefore, they are not always the most up-todate sources for current information in a fast-moving subject, especially
if the publication date was a year or two ago.
or in your course profile at:
http://nexus.cqu.edu.au/
courseprofile
Using journals
An academic journal is a scholarly publication of articles written by
specialists in the discipline. Individual articles are referred to as papers
even though many are now accessed online, rather than in printed
form. As well as containing scholarly information, journal articles
can include reports, reviews of current research and topic-specific
information. They are often described as primary sources, since the
author of the article is also the person who carried out the research, or
who had the original idea.
Most academic papers go through a peer-review process, where
articles are assessed by other experts (referees) in the field and
verified as suitable for publication. This ensures that the validity of
the information has been considered. Publications with a peer-review
process are often described as refereed journals. You should check
whether or not the articles are peer reviewed in any journal you use,
as journals without peer-review may be less authoritative as sources
of information for your studies (consult the journal’s website for
information on peer review).
Use scholarly journals when you need to find: original research on a
topic; articles and essays written by scholars and/or subject experts;
factual documented information to reinforce a position or to point you
to other relevant research. Scholarly journals usually take less time to
publish than books, so they are current on the date of publication.
The Great Guide to University Study | Locating sources of information
Use the Library guide to find
journal articles, at:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/library/
need-help/compass-libraryhelp-online/how-do-yousearch-for-specific-sources-ofinformation/journal-articles
http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.
au/databases
For more information on peerreview, see:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/library/
need-help/compass-libraryhelp-online/how-do-yousearch-for-specific-sourcesof-information/journal-articles/
peer-reviewed-journal-articles
Google Scholar can be
accessed at:
http://library-resources.cqu.
edu.au/learning-objects/
google-scholar-articlelinker.pdf
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Using websites
Anyone can publish anything on the internet and often information is
neither checked nor peer reviewed. Therefore, information may be
inaccurate, biased and/or out-of date. However, there is also a lot of
valuable information on the Web. Consequently, it is very important to
develop your skills in locating scholarly sources on the web. Google
Scholar is a free search engine that can be used to search online
scholarly literature, including peer-reviewed papers, theses and books.
Some websites provide up-to-the-minute news and information
about current events, trends and controversial topics. Others contain
government publications, such as reports, statistics, legislation and
service information; interviews; news articles; research reports;
conference/workshop/symposium papers; maps; and other resources.
Whatever the topic, it is important to evaluate websites and online
material.
For more on evaluating
sources, see:
http://library-resources.cqu.
edu.au/learning-objects/evalsource.htm
Watch the ‘Why can’t I just
google’ video on YouTube, at:
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=N39mnu1Pkgw
Using government information
All levels of government, from local to international, publish a variety
of documents including parliamentary papers and records, legislation,
census data, reports, and papers on specific topics. Government
information is generally regarded as authoritative, current and reliable,
and can be used to: identify professional regulations and legislative
requirements; provide insight into various events; report on national
programs and topics subject to government inquiry; and provide
statistical information.
Use the Library guide to find
Government information, at:
http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.
au/govn
Using newspapers (including online news websites)
These record daily news stories at local, national and international
level. This immediate snapshot of events can provide up-to-the- minute
information. Although this can be very useful information, it is important
to appreciate that these are not primary sources, since they are written
by journalists rather than specialists or experts, and to look for signs of
prejudice or editorial bias. Specific databases can be used to access to
past issues of newspapers.
Use the Library guide to find
newspaper articles, at:
http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.
au/newspaper-articles
Using other reference sources
Use Oxford Reference
Sources at:
http://ezproxy.cqu.edu.
au/login?url=http://www.
oxfordreference.com
These provide concise information when you begin to explore a topic.
They are not intended to be read cover-to-cover, but to provide:
background information and an overview of a topic; information
about important dates, events, and people associated with a topic;
terminology and definitions related to a topic; details of sources for
further reading. The main types are:
• Dictionary—this will provide the meaning, spelling and correct
pronunciation of words, listed in alphabetical order. There are
dictionaries for most languages, plus a number of language
translation dictionaries. Specialised dictionaries provide information
on words that apply to a specific subject. Use one of the free online
dictionaries to help you find keywords and phrases that will assist
with searching online and to help you to increase your vocabulary.
The Great Guide to University Study | Locating sources of information
Use the Oxford English
Dictionary online, at:
http://ezproxy.cqu.edu.au/
login?url=http://www.oed.com/
Use the free Merriam-Webster
online dictionary at:
http://www.merriam-webster.
com/
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• Thesaurus—this lists words that have a similar meaning
(synonyms). You can use a thesaurus to find possible alternative
words for online searches, or for use in your assessment tasks.
However, it is important to remember that not all synonyms have
exactly the same meanings or usages, so you need to think
carefully when using this approach.
• Encyclopedia—this is a compilation of articles, descriptions and
explanations written by experts on a variety of subjects, arranged
in alphabetical order. Encyclopedias may also include maps,
diagrams, graphs, illustrations and other reference materials.
They are grouped into two main types: general encyclopedias and
subject-specific encyclopedias.
• Atlas—this is usually a collection of maps. The most common
type is the world atlas; always make sure that you use an upto-date world atlas, as countries may change their name and/or
boundaries. Specialised atlases provide figures and illustrations,
such as an atlas of human anatomy.
Use a free online thesaurus at:
http://thesaurus.com/
Use the Oxford Reference
Encyclopaedias at:
http://www.oxfordreference.
com/views/GLOBAL.
html?authstatuscode=202
Use a free online atlas at:
http://www.worldatlas.com/
aatlas/world.htm
Make the most of the CQUniversity Library
The Library provides access to a variety of sources and services to
assist you with your study. This includes a mix of print and electronic
sources.
Discover it! is an online search tool that allows you to search the
majority of information sources held by the Library. Discover it! will find
resources available from:
• the Library catalogue (books, e-books, DVDs, course resources
online, music etc.)
• most of the Library’s databases (for example, journals, conference
proceedings, e-books, newspapers, research theses and
standards) including subject-specific databases and more general
resources
• CQUniversity’s institutional repository, ACQUIRE (research papers
published by staff of the University).
Use the Library catalogue
This is a searchable online interface listing resources that support
learning, teaching and research at CQUniversity. These may be print
(e.g. books, maps, journals, posters) or electronic (e.g. e-books,
e-journals). The catalogue provides details about each resource,
including:
• the campus location (note that CQUniversity has campus libraries
in Rockhampton, Mackay, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Emerald,
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne)
• availability (whether or not the item is currently out on loan)
• where the item can be found on the Library shelves, through the
call number, based on a global classification system.
Use the search options on the Library homepage to focus on finding
the information that you need.
The Great Guide to University Study | Locating sources of information
Visit the Library online at:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/library
Discover it! can be accessed
at:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/library
For the list of databases
available at CQUniversity
Library, refer to:
http://libguides.library.cqu.edu.
au/databases
For assistance in using the
databases, look for the ?
symbol on the database.
Alternatively, refer to: http://
www.cqu.edu.au/library/
need-help/compass-libraryhelp-online/how-do-yousearch-for-specific-sources-ofinformation/journal-articles
The catalogue can be
accessed at:
http://library-catalogue.cqu.
edu.au.
Further assistance on using
the catalogue is available via
Compass:
http://www.cqu.edu.au/
library/need-help/compasslibrary-help-online/how-doesthe-library-help-you-findinformation
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Make the most of Course Resources Online
Lecturers sometimes require students to read articles or book chapters
that are not available through the standard Library systems. As
permitted by the Australian Copyright Act, electronic copies are made
available as course resources online, accessed through Moodle or from
the Library website. Media files may also be available for some courses
and programs. You can find out if your course has any resources online
through the Library, or the course Moodle site.
The Great Guide to University Study | Locating sources of information
Find Course Resources Online at:
http://content.cqu.edu.
au/FCWViewer/view.
do?page=8172#course
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