This brand new curated step by step guide for Roehampton students is packed full of tips, tricks and advice to help you navigate the world of resource searching. Start here and your searching experience will be all the better for it! Covering text, video and images, this guide is highly recommend as a quick “go to” place when you’re just starting out on research for your assignment.
Most university assignments will require you to find a variety of information to complete your essays and reports, from current statistics to historical research on a specific topic. The sources you use matter and reflect the work you have put into your project.
We strongly recommend starting your search using UR Library Search to find the best resources. If you do use Google we suggest using Google Scholar instead, and add the Lean Library extension to your browser to detect and access paid content that you have free access to as a UR student.
Most of the sources you find when you are conducting your research or literature searching will be primary or secondary.
There are two main literature searching methods:
Search techniques
When you input keywords or search terms into a database, there are strategies you can employ to increase the chances of finding the most relevant information. See the tutorial below for best strategies of how to do this and you can also use it to keep a record of your own searches.
Finding Your Research tutorial
Developing a search strategy
A search strategy is an organised structure of search terms. A strategy will help you to be focused and methodical, and save you time. It can also increase your chances of finding relevant information.
Try to use a variety of terms in different combinations so you find as many relevant sources as possible. Think about what words or phrases are key to understanding your topic: you want to try to capture the range of language used by authors. You can then use these core terms to build a list of broader, narrower and related terms. Dictionaries, thesauri, encyclopaedias or simple web searches can help you come up with these alternative search terms.
See the tutorial below for examples of this.
Starting Your Research tutorial
Although we have thousands of resources at Roehampton, you might not always find everything you need. This is particularly the case when you are researching for your dissertation or final year project. If you want to do a thorough piece of research, you may want to use source from other libraries. You can try one of the following options:
Make sure to save your search results carefully. This way, you can easily find them later for a closer look. It also helps you remember where you got your information, so you don't accidentally copy someone else's work. When you gather sources, try organizing them by theme. This helps you keep your ideas in order when you're writing your assignment.
Most databases have several options for saving so you can choose the one that best suits your needs:
For help with referencing, Cite Them Right is the go-to online referencing tool. Make sure you consult with our curated Cite Them Right guidance for assistance with this, and all things referencing.
Before using any type of resource in your research ensure you are using credible sources that are are high quality, timely and trust-worthy. Using credible sources to back up your work makes your writing more persuasive and shows critical thinking. A useful check is to apply the CRAAP test to your sources:
This short 2 minute video on Evaluating Resource also provides a useful visual overview of the CRAAP test.
To keep up with the latest research on a topic it's a good idea to set up email alerts. This is particularly useful for dissertation or longer term research projects. Many journal databases allow you to set up email alerts to notify you when new research matches your search criteria, by setting up a personal account on the database. You could set up multiple alerts for different topics / search criteria.
The Lean Library browser extension makes it easier to access journals, eBooks and databases, particularly when you are studying off-campus. It is a browser extension that automatically detects when content is available to you via your Roehampton login.
If you visit an e-resource which the Library doesn’t have full-text access to, the extension will try and suggest an alternative route, including Open Access content.
Lean Library integrates seamlessly with Google searches and Google Scholar, inserting relevant Library resources into your search results. Click on the "Google Integration" tab above to find out more.
Once Lean Library is installed on your browser, all Library content from UR Library Search will appear in your Google and Google Scholar searches.
The benefit of having Lean Library in your browser means that you are less likely to miss a useful resource as it puts the Library right into your research workflow no matter where you start your search.
Lean Library also reduces the chance that you hit an annoying paywall for access to an article that the Library also subscribes to.
As shown in the image, results from the Library will display in a panel to the side of your main search results.
The browser extension works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari and iOS (mobile).
To install the extension, click on the button below and follow the steps.
After installing the extension, select ‘University of Roehampton’ and the extension will then pop-up and notify you when you are on a website that it can help with.
When installed on your browser, the Lean Library extension works by analysing the website URLs you visit. The Library Access browser extension doesn’t collect any personal information unless you actively share it, nor does it collect your IP address or your device's IDs.
If you want to know more about your data and privacy see the Lean Library Privacy Policy.