Transition into Higher Education Libraries
Finding resources
Want to know where to start looking for relevant, subject resources whilst studying at university? You will use lots of different resources in your research, studies and when writing assignments.
Follow the sections on this page to discover where to start and what tools you can use when searching for useful resources. Some tools maybe new to you, some maybe very familiar.
Firstly, what is a resource?
A resource is a piece of information, either in print or electronic. Some examples of resources you will use in your university studies are books and eBooks, journal articles and websites.
Let's take a look at what tools to use when searching for resources...
At the University of Chester, we have Library Search, eLibraries and resource lists to help you find resources specific to your chosen subject. Google and Google Scholar can be useful tools too.
What is Library search?
Accessed from either Portal or the University of Chester mobile app, Library Search is a search facility that allows you to search across the majority of the university's resources. You can search for results by typing different information into the search box: keywords for a topic, an author's name, the title of a book and more.
The tools held within Library Search allow you to refine your search and only get results that are relevant to what you are searching for.
Watch this short video clip to find out more about Library Search and how to use it.
What is an eLibrary?
An eLibrary is similar to a physical library, it stores lots of different resources, just online. They are unique as they hold resources linked to individual modules, so you will have access to all eLibraries for all the modules you study.
What are resource lists?
These are a list of resources suggested by your tutor, and are a great place to start, as they provide details of your essential and recommended reading.
They can vary significantly in number and scope between different programmes, and for some programmes might include visual or audio resources
Some, but not all, programmes may send you suggested reading before you start your course.
Where to find your resource list
When you start your course, the resource list can be found within the eLibrary of your moodle module.
We aim to provide as many resource list materials as possible as eBooks so that you can access them when and where you need them.
Ebooks have many features to help you when you are reading them.
Module eLibraries and reading lists.
Pre arrival reading
If you have been sent a pre arrival resource list, you can check the library catalogue and come and read them in the library before you arrive. This is how your resource list will look on screen:
What is Google Scholar?
Google is used every day, for all kinds of different searches. When looking for resources suitable for university studies, there are a few tips that will help you get the right results from Google and Google Scholar.
Google Scholar allows you to search in a similar way to Google, however the results contain only scholarly literature, resources ideal for your studies.
Please watch this video that looks at the three most common types of resources available.
Which type of resource is best?
Let’s look to some of the resource types that are available to you, and when you would want to use them.
They are all available online (and some of them may be available as print). Different sources add different value to your academic study.
Book or Electronic Book
These are both the same.
Definition: A written work published in print or electronic form. A good book will have undertaken an editorial process ie have been checked by another person and may take years to produce. Good for a clear overview of a topic. Not so good for up-to-date information.
Definition: A publication produced regularly and in which academics publish their research. They provide up-to-date information on specific topics and are often peer reviewed ie reviewed by another academic to ensure the quality of the information found. They are the academic equivalent of a magazine. Good for current, specific information. Not so good for a broad overview of a subject.
Definition: A digital information resource which can be easily created by anyone on any topic. A digital resource which often provides links to a variety of other sources (eg. reports). A webpage may contain good information, but it might not be academic.
Be aware that they can be produced by anyone, at any time and not be checked for the quality of their information.
Good for very up to date information. Not always good for accurate, reliable, academic information.
You always need to check what you have found by thinking:
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Who … has written this? Is it an academic? Another expert? An organisation?
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What … is the information? Is it at the right level?
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Why … was it written? What was the motivation for it being written?
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Where … has the information come from e.g. government, charity, commercial etc.?
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When … was this information created or updated? Is it current? Does that matter?
Definition:
An account of a situation or event, often published digitally and freely available on the web. Usually written by an organisation for a specific purpose.
Good for specific information on a topic. Not always good for academic content.
Definition:
A regular publication containing current events, informative articles, diverse features, and advertising.
Good for daily information. Not so good for balanced and well researched information.
Think: Who, What, Why, Where, When.
Test your knowledge
Here's your chance to practice what you have learned about evaluating resources.