Make a plan
Using the notes app on your phone/tablet/laptop (or a bit of paper) write down your initial thoughts about what you are going to search for. Think about:
- What information do you need? For example data or stats, results of research studies, or theoretical frameworks.
- What will be the best sources of that information?
- Where will you search for those sources of information? Keep in mind you may have to use several search tools.
Example plans:
What I need:
Data and stats on the academic performance of pupils within a particular demographic.
Sources:
Government reports, research by professional bodies or organisations.
Where to look:
Government websites/ Office for National Statistics, Website of professional organisations.
What I need:
Results of research studies where different types of interventions are made within schools and the impact that they have is measured.
Sources:
Academic journal articles.
Where to look:
Library search (on Library web page), Google Scholar.
Searching for information
If you’re not sure where to look for the sources you need, take a look at our Searching for Information presentation. When you are looking at the presentation you will see a little audio icon at the top right of the slide. Click on that to play it. You can also check the Subject Guides.
You can also ask a member of library staff for help.
