Using Sources in your assignment

Using Sources in your Assignment 

Welcome to this podcast on choosing and using resources effectively in your first assignment. The first step is to look at what your brief is asking of you. So here's some areas to consider. Are there any particular resources stipulated for this brief, such as a journal article?  

Identify your information need then decide which are the best research resources to use for this need.  

Your Subject Guides and the library website and the research skills section on the Study Hub can help with this. Look at your lecture notes for information, and reading list for key resources. See effective reading and note taking for assignments in the Study Hub, for strategies to get the most from your resources. 

Evaluate the sources you find as you go along, ask yourself if they’re current, relevant, have authority (accurate) or have a purpose. You can also look at the skills section, evaluating information on the Study Hub for guidance on this area. Also, remember, you can talk to your librarian if you're still unsure of how to find and select sources.  

It’s also just as important to think critically about the content of sources. Have a look at the critical thinking and reading section in the Study Hub for guidance on this. Keep checking back to your research plan and adjust as needed to reflect the development of your research. 

Also know when it's time to stop researching and start writing. And the assignment calculator on the study hub can help give timescales and key areas to work by.  

Now I'm going to talk to Rosie from the Academic Liaison team, about her top tips for using sources in your first assignment. 

My first one would be to be curious, be curious when reading, watching or listening to something and always consider what is not covered by it. Think about its credibility and value to your assignment.  

Top tip number two: be aware of the ideas and references mentioned in whatever you're reading or listening to or watching. These can lead you to other useful resources.  

And finally, top tip three: consider the connections between the resources that you're looking at. The relationship between them is something that you create through using them and that can help structure your thinking. 

Thank you very much.