Using Library Search & Google Scholar

The Library Search is a good starting point to find information on a topic or to search for a specific resource. Use it to find peer-reviewed journal articles, books and ebooks, videos plus many more library resources.

Check out using the Library Search for tips on how to get the best results

Google Scholar responds to both natural language and Boolean searching. 

• Use the keywords not the entire question
• Link your keywords together into an effective search using Boolean Operators
  • AND: combine concepts. Smartphone AND Australia
  • OR: connect synonyms. Smartphone OR mobile 
  • (nesting): keeps terms together, e.g., (smartphone OR mobile) AND Australia
  • “phrase search”: “integrated marketing communication”
  • Truncat*: Search on the stem of the word. E.g., searching for govern* would return government, governing, governance...

• Study Smart: Information Research and Literacy Skills

  Study Smart can be used by all students looking to develop their information research and literacy skills and achieve assignment success at university.

• Module 1: Prepare [thinking about your assignment]

• Module 2: Find [finding information for your assignments]

• Module 3: Evaluate [evaluating your searches and your information sources]

• Module 4: Use [using information in your assignment, creating references]