Skip to Main Content

University Library Services

Study Skills- Tips for a Successful Literature Search

5 steps to making a search plan and making the most of the sources you find.

Tips for a Successful Literature Search

When you’re searching for information for your studies it is best to start with a search plan. It can save you time and help you get more relevant results.

In this guide we'll look at

  • Making a plan and deciding what you're looking for and where you should look for it.
  • How you can come up with some good keywords.
  • Some tips for evaluating and selecting sources.
  • Some tips for reading academically, with a particular focus on academic journal articles.
  • How you can get the most out of academic articles that you find.
woman in blue long sleeve shirt and blue denim jeans sitting on bed using laptop