Brief Summary
This video from the University of Sydney Library provides a guide to conducting effective research for university assignments. It emphasizes the importance of using high-quality sources, particularly peer-reviewed academic journals, and introduces a hierarchy of information trustworthiness. The video then delves into practical search strategies, including identifying key concepts, using search operators, and applying the "CRAP" test to evaluate source quality. Finally, it offers tips for expanding research skills by exploring journals and tracing connections between ideas in different papers.
- Key takeaways: Use peer-reviewed journals for high-quality research, apply the "CRAP" test to evaluate sources, and explore journals and references to expand your research.
Finding Information for Your Assignments
This video introduces the concept of secondary research, which involves finding and analyzing existing information, primarily from academic journals and online sources. It contrasts this with primary research, which involves conducting original experiments or fieldwork. The video emphasizes the importance of using high-quality sources for university assignments, highlighting the hierarchy of information trustworthiness. At the top of this hierarchy are peer-reviewed academic journals, followed by grey literature (government reports, consultancy papers, and think tank publications), reputable websites (ending in .gov or .edu), trade journals, high-quality news outlets, and finally, general websites and social media platforms.
Using Library Search
This section focuses on using the University of Sydney Library's search tool to access peer-reviewed journal articles. The library's search engine provides free access to a wide range of academic databases. The video emphasizes that using this tool requires critical thinking, unlike Google's algorithms that automatically filter results. It outlines a three-step process for identifying key concepts: 1) identifying key ideas from assignment questions and course readings, 2) brainstorming related terms and synonyms, and 3) formulating three questions: "What do you already know?", "What do you need to know?", and "What are the key concepts?".
Search Operators
This section explains how to use search operators to refine search results. The video introduces three main operators: "OR" (broadens search by including articles with either concept), "AND" (narrows search by requiring both concepts), and "NOT" (excludes specific terms). It also emphasizes the importance of using quotation marks to search for exact phrases. The video encourages a step-by-step approach to narrowing search results, starting with a broad search and gradually refining it using operators and filters.
Evaluating Information Quality
This section focuses on critically evaluating the quality of information found online, particularly using Google. The video introduces the "CRAP" test, which involves considering four factors: Currency (how up-to-date the source is), Reliability (the quality of data and research), Authority (the qualifications and backing of the author), and Purpose and point of view (the intended audience and potential biases). The video emphasizes that academic journals are written for a specialist audience, while news media and blogs are written for the general public. It also highlights the importance of considering disciplinary bias, as different fields may interpret research questions differently.
Extending Research Skills
This section provides two tips for expanding research skills. Firstly, the video encourages exploring journals that publish articles of interest, as they often contain related content. Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of examining references in articles to trace connections and relationships between ideas. This helps synthesize information from different sources and build a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The video concludes by reminding viewers that the library website offers resources and support for students.
