Getting started
How to start your research
Finding information
Finding information from a variety of sources.
Evaluating information
How to decide if a source will be useful to your research.
Keeping up to date
How to be alerted to new and relevant sources for your research.
Keeping track of what you find
Tools to help you capture and reference the sources you find.
Useful Resources
Books, tools and websites to help with your research
Library pathway
For new students at Falmouth University.
Library Pathway will guide you through everything you need to know about the library during your first term as an undergraduate.
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.
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.
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:
- Evernote
Ask for help!
- Drop in to the Info-Perch sessions for help with your research.
Resources
Resources
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.
Unpaywall
Chrome extension which finds legally-available free copies of journal articles.
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.
Google Scholar
This is a search engine that searches academic literature. It pulls information from university repositories, journal publishers, and other ‘scholarly’ identified websites.
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.