Research and finding information

Getting started

How to start your research
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Finding information

Finding information from a variety of sources.

subject resources

Evaluating information

How to decide if a source will be useful to your research.
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Keeping up to date

How to be alerted to new and relevant sources for your research.
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Keeping track of what you find

Tools to help you capture and reference the sources you find.
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Library Pathways

The Library Pathways provide online resources and support to help students develop research skills and build confidence in using the library for research
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academic liaison librarians

Academic Liaison

Your Academic Liaison Librarian provides subject-specific support with your research.

We can help you to make best use of the Library for your studies.

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Subject Libguides

For University of Exeter students.

Everything you need to know about using the Library and finding suitable information for your assignments. LibGuides are specfic to your subject.

    Top Tips
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    Begin by looking at your module resource lists

    • Module resource lists
    • Once you find a useful resource, look at its reference list as this will lead you to other sources.

    Know your resources

    • Use the subject guides on the Library website as an index to key material for your topic.

    Go beyond Wikipedia

    • You can use it as a springboard for your research, e.g. for context, references and keyword ideas.
    • It is an encyclopaedia – so don’t cite it!

    Researching is different to just searching

    • You’re not looking for an answer.
    • Instead you’re curiously exploring your topic.

    Research is a slow process!

    • It can feel messy and meandering in the early stages.
    • It’s good to allow time for your initial ideas to develop and change.
    • Reflect on chance discoveries and explore connected ideas.

    Keep track of what you find.

    Use a system or app for collecting and organising your research like:

    • Pocket
    • Evernote

    Ask for help!

    • Drop in for help with your research.
    Resources
    Screenshot of Evernote Web Clipper showing editing pane for clipped section

    Evernote/Evernote Web Clipper

    Save, organise and annotate images, webpages, photos, scans and files and sync across all your devices. Online, app (iOS and Android) and extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge.

    Screenshot showing how Unpaywall can find free versions of articles

    Unpaywall

    Chrome extension which finds legally-available free copies of journal articles.

    Twitter

    Use Twitter to connect with useful people, join in professional conversations, find research and promote your own.

    University of Exeter Library Catalogue

    If you are an Exeter student or staff use the University of Exeter Library Catalogue for access to the print books in Penryn and Exeter, e-books and a huge range of eletronic resources. All students can request to borrow print books from Exeter .

    Oxford Reference Online

    Access for Falmouth University Access for University of Exeter Oxford Reference Online brings together 2 million digitized entries across Oxford’s Dictionaries, Companions and Encyclopedias, and spanning 25 different subject areas.

    Pocket

    Use Pocket to save things you find on the web to view later.

    Libplayer

    Streaming video enables television programmes that have been digitally recorded under the terms of the ERA Licence to be accessed via the library catalogue on or off campus.You can watch these programmes from any device with internet access, you just need your University login details.

    Library Search - Falmouth and Penryn

    Using Library Search will help you find books, DVDs, music, maps and other material available for you to borrow from Penryn and Falmouth libraries. It shows physical resources available in the library and e-resources available to Falmouth University. If you are looking for University of Exeter e-resources use the University of Exeter Library Search.

    LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

    Learn software, creative, and business skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. Falmouth students can use LinkedIn Learning for free.

    Google Scholar

    This is a search engine that searches academic literature. It pulls information from university repositories, journal publishers, and other ‘scholarly’ identified websites.

    Borrow from another library

    If you cannot find what you are looking for on the library catalogue - find out how you can borrow books from other libraries or have journal articles delivered direct to your desktop.

    Credo Reference

    Access for Falmouth University only Credo Reference contains dictionaries, bilingual dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopaedias, quotations and atlases, plus a wide range or subject-specific titles covering everything from accounting to zoology, via maps, math, management, martial arts, media studies, medicine, mountains, moons, music, multimedia, mythology.