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Library 101: Everything you need to get started with the Library: Searching the Library

This page will tell you how to do a general Library search.

General Library Search

You can search the library generally by using the white search bar in the centre of the screen. The below video will walk you through how to do that, including how to narrow down the results to include, for example, only journal articles, and not books or magazines. 

If you want more specific ways of searching, including more detail on searching specific item types, you can see the relevant tabs - Books & DVDs, Journal Articles, or eBooks.

If you ever need help searching the Library and finding what you're looking for, please do not hesitate to talk to us or contact us. We can help you find things, and meet with you (virtually or in person) and go through how to use the Library.

The above video will walk you through how to use the general search in the Library, called "Discovery".

Content timestamps:

  • 00:00 Introduction.
  • 00:18 Finding the Library website.
  • 00:24 Using the search bar.
  • 00:46 Logging in.
  • 00:57 Results list, using limiters/filters.
  • 01:38 Finding just journal articles (or any specific item type).
  • 02:09 Accessing items, and how to know what item type you're seeing in the results list - journal article, eBook, print book.
  • 03:34 Book reviews as opposed to the full book.
  • 03:45 Searching specifically by item type (instead of doing a general search), e.g. searching the eBooks website directly.
  • 04:35 Location of specific search videos on Library 101 guide.
  • 04:05 Information about one-to-one support, contact information.

Doing research online

When researching online, it’s important to use reliable sources. Not all websites provide accurate or trustworthy information. The library offers access to high-quality sources, like academic journals and books, that have been reviewed by experts. By using the library’s resources, you can trust that the information you find is accurate and useful for your studies. 

plagiarism infographic

When using the Library's sources, you must also make sure to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is when you use someone else’s ideas or words without giving them credit. To avoid this, you must properly cite and reference the sources you use. Ask your lecturer what referencing style you are to use, and keep track of your sources as you read them. Then cite and reference them in your final work, using the style your lecturer told you. If you do not cite and reference your work, you can be penalised for plagiarism and a breach of academic integrity. More information on academic integrity can be found here: https://iadt.libguides.com/plagiarism

More information on referencing can be found here: https://iadt.libguides.com/referencing

(Click to enlarge image. Image source).

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

When using AI tools, it’s important to be careful. While they can help with research, they might not always provide reliable information. AI can also lead to issues with plagiarism if the work isn't properly credited. To avoid problems, make sure you check the accuracy of what AI generates and always cite your sources correctly. This way, you’ll stay on track with academic integrity.

Language barriers can possibly lead to increased reliance on AI to generate text or translate materials, potentially leading to unintentional plagiarism or misuse of sources.

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