This document discusses the research process and provides guidance on finding quality information for assessments. It outlines four key steps: 1) Know what information is needed, 2) Know where to find it, 3) Know how to evaluate sources, and 4) Know how to organize and use the information while avoiding plagiarism. Specific tips are provided on searching books, databases, websites and videos as well as evaluating sources and properly citing references.

1. RESEARCHING
JULY 2017
FINDING QUALITY INFORMATION FOR YOUR
ASSESSMENTS

2. TAFE NSW
WHAT IS RESEARCH?
1. Careful study that is done to find and report
new knowledge about something
2. The activity of getting information about a
subject
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/research
2
RESEARCHING

3. 3
RESEARCH PROCESS

4. TAFE NSW
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
Four steps
• Know what you need
• Know where to find it
• Know how to evaluate it
• Know how to organise and use it
4
RESEARCHING

5. TAFE NSW
Watch the video
Information Literacy : not all information is created equally!
5
RESEARCHING
youtube.com/watch?v=xwvJqvLw5dc

6. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
Understand your broad topic
• Consult a standard work or reference
Understand your specific topic
• Identify concepts, keywords, acronyms,
singular/plural forms, US/UK spelling, date range,
demographics, geographic limit
6
RESEARCHING

7. 7
FINDING RESOURCES

8. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT
Sources
• Books
• Journals and Databases
• Online videos
• Websites
• Library Subject Guides
8
RESEARCHING

9. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT
Books & Textbooks
• Books are available in either print or electronic format
• Give you an introduction and overview
• Provide a summary of a number of topics or
• In depth coverage of a particular topic
• Good source for information that isn't changing rapidly
Explore the TAFE catalogue
Explore our collection of eBooks
9
RESEARCHING

10. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT
Journals and Databases
• Journal articles contain current information
• Many journal articles are peer-reviewed. Experts in the subject
have reviewed the article for accuracy
• Databases are indexes of full text journal articles
• You will need your TAFE username and password to access TAFE
NSW databases
Explore databases
10
RESEARCHING

11. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT
Online Videos
• 1000’s of educational videos
• Watch on your device
• You will need your TAFE username and password to access
online videos
Explore online videos
11
RESEARCHING

12. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT
Websites
• Use advanced search techniques to control a Google search and
improve results
• Google Scholar can retrieve citations and some full text
academic and professional literature
Explore Google
Explore Google Scholar
Explore Advanced Google Search tips
12
RESEARCHING

13. TAFE NSW
KNOW WHERE TO FIND IT
Library Subject Guides
Find a guide specially prepared by library staff to support your TAFE
course
• Includes relevant print and electronic resources, links to useful
websites, Work Health & Safety information, research and
referencing help.
• Find your guide at:
swsi.tafensw.campusguides.com/home
13
RESEARCHING

14. 14
EVALUATING
RESOURCES

15. TAFE NSW
Watch the video
Evaluating websites
15
RESEARCHING
youtube.com/watch?v=aem3JahbXfk

16. TAFE NSW
KNOW HOW TO EVALUATE IT
Evaluate websites using the following criteria
• Currency
• Authority
• Purpose
• Objectivity
• Writing Style
16
RESEARCHING

17. 17
USING RESOURCES

18. TAFE NSW
KNOW HOW TO USE IT
It is important to acknowledge the source of information, quotes,
ideas, images that you use in an assessment
• to protect your own academic integrity and avoid accusations of
plagiarism
• to acknowledge the work of others
• to enable your reader to check facts or conduct independent
reading
• to demonstrate your efforts at research and use of reliable
sources
18
RESEARCHING

19. TAFE NSW
KNOW HOW TO USE IT
Avoid plagiarism
Plagiarism is considered a serious breach of conduct. When using
the ideas of others:
• Use direct quotes “ ….. “
• Paraphrase by explaining the idea in your own words
• Identify the source of information
• Do not copy / paste
• Use an online plagiarism checker
19
RESEARCHING

20. TAFE NSW
Watch the video
Why do we reference?
20
RESEARCHING
youtu.be/ADvsTi0B8HA

21. TAFE NSW
KNOW HOW TO USE IT
In text citations and reference lists
Harvard and APA are common referencing formats for in text
citations and reference lists.
Check with your teacher about which style you should use.
21
RESEARCHING

22. TAFE NSW
KNOW HOW TO USE IT
In text citations
• Appear in the body of your assignment and show where
someone else's words, thoughts or ideas have been included in
your work.
• Are short and don’t give the reader the full details of the
information source.
This is an example in Harvard style –
(Lorenzi, 2004)
22
RESEARCHING

23. TAFE NSW
KNOW HOW TO USE IT
Reference lists
A reference list is a list of every resource you have used in your
assignment and includes the full publication details of each item.
• Appears at the end of your assignment starting on a new page
• Is arranged alphabetically by the author’s surname
This is an example in Harvard AGPS style –
Garnaut R, 2011, The Garnaut review 2011: Australia in the global
response to climate change, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
23
RESEARCHING

24. TAFE NSW
CONTACT US
WWW.SWSI.EDU.AU/LIBRARY
• Library Subject Guides
• TAFE catalogue
• Online Videos, eResources, eBooks
• Ask a Librarian (live chat or email)
24
RESEARCHING

25. TAFE NSW
THANK YOU
25
RESEARCHING