TopicAnalysis
definitions sirius catalogue PrimarySources SecondarySources AcademicBooks ScholarlyJournals InternetSites databases SubjectGuides WebDirectories evaluation
Academic writing
Finding resources
Having clarified the question, your next step will be to locate the resources you need to write your assignment.
What kind of information do you need?
- explanations of theories
- reports on experimental methods and results
- up-to-date discussions and debate on the topic
- primary sources
such as documents, letters and other first hand reports
Usually they represent the first formal appearance of original research.
They include statistical data, manuscripts, surveys, speeches, biographies, autobiographies, diaries, oral histories, interviews, works of art and literature, research reports, computer programs, government documents, original documents (birth certificates, trial transcripts...) etc.
Secondary sources are texts based on primary sources, and involve generalisation, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, or evaluation.
- secondary sources
Some secondary sources not only analyse primary sources, but use them to argue a point or to persuade the reader to hold a certain opinion.
Examples of secondary sources include: dictionaries, encyclopedias, textbooks, and books and articles that interpret or review research works.
- news reports
- current, retrospective or historical material
Peer-reviewed
A journal is peer-reviewed when its articles have received approval by a board of experts i.e. the author’s peers. The term is synonymous with refereed.
Some databases allow you to limit a search to peer-reviewed articles only.
The items in your reading list are a good starting point as these have been evaluated by your lecturers. You should find further resources to supplement these.
Other academic sources are:
- academic books
more about books
Academic books provide more in-depth coverage of a topic. Scholarly, or academic books are written for an academic audience including university students. They can often be recognised by their extensive footnoting and referencing. Search for books in the Catalogue or Sirius e-books. Books may not provide up-to-date information on a topic. For more current treatment of a topic you should use articles from journals.
- scholarly journals e.g. peer-reviewed journals
more about journals
Journals are also called magazines, periodicals or serials. They are published on a recurring basis. Scholarly journals are written for an academic audience.
- They are often peer-reviewed and are sometimes published by a society or institute with recognised goals and missions.
- They often contain articles on very specific subjects and may be the primary source of information on new developments.
Search for journals in the Catalogue or e-journals. To find articles in journals you will need to use a database that will search the contents of a large range of journals on your topic.
Finding articles requires you to have a good variety of keywords and alternative terms. These will help you to search effectively in the databases that the Library provides.
For more advice about searching databases visit the
How to… Using the Databases guide. For more advanced instruction on database searching visit the Online Information Skills Tutorial module on Searching Databases. - internet sites
more about internet sites
Internet sites: The internet contains material from every possible perspective or point of view. Most internet search engines have a directory. Directories enable you to identify a group of resources on a subject. Some examples of directories are:
- The Library's Subject Guides include a list of internet links, selected and evaluated by information professionals in the Library. Subject Guides also include reference books (print and electronic), databases and journals
- Google Directory is another good way to browse subjects on the internet.
Click Business, Energy & Environment, Renewable to find a list of sites or resources under this category.
- The Library's Subject Guides include a list of internet links, selected and evaluated by information professionals in the Library. Subject Guides also include reference books (print and electronic), databases and journals