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Library for our offshore global partners: Finding resources

The University of Waikato Library offers resources and support to the students and staff of our Global Partner Programmes

Subject Guides

To find the most relevant databases, books and websites for your subject area, check out your subject guide via our Library Subject Guides page.

Library Search

We have a vast range of online resources you can search and use.  The "Library Search" search bar on the Library homepage can be used to search across most of them.

Doing a simple search in Library Search

From the search bar on the Library homepage type in the main words (key words) of your search topic.

Note:

  • Only put the main concept terms in the search bar (not the whole question)
  • When you have multiple concepts, you may want to try an advanced search.

 

Your initial search may bring up a large range of results.  You can limit your search by using the filters down the right-hand side (e.g. resource type, or date).

 

 

If it says "Online access", then you will be able to access it offshore, to do so, click on the title and scroll down to where it says "View IT", select a database option and it should open for you.

 

Boolean Operators

Boolean Operators is a fancy Librarian term for the use of AND OR NOT in a search.  Boolean operators are an important tool to help you to broaden and/or narrow your search.

AND OR NOT

AND -> Narrows your search (this AND that)

 

OR -> Expands your search (this OR this)

 

NOT -> Narrows your search (this NOT that)

 

OR  goes between similar terms to expand your search to ensure you capture all possible records Jaguar OR Cougar
AND  Goes between the different concepts to narrow your search to items with both concepts. Wolf OR fox
NOT 

Helps exclude terms that might use the same word but have different meanings.

For example, if you want information on big cats, you could use “Jaguar NOT Cars”. Use NOT sparingly, only when it is obvious and is sufficiently different in meaning otherwise you can cut out lots of relevant material too.

 Cars

(Note:  it is good practice to always use CAPITAL LETTERS for the Boolean operators as many databases rely on this for it to work as intended)

 

If you use advanced search on a database (highly recommended) you go across a search line for OR and use a new line for AND.  If you are searching a database that only has the one search bar, you can separate your concepts with ( ).  

Searching techniques & tips

Phrase searching

 "  "

Phrase searching is when we put "quotation marks" around a term of 2 or more words so that the database searches it as a single phrase, it helps to narrow and focus your results.

e.g. "Social Media" searches for these two words as if they were one, but if we don't use "" it would search for Social AND Media
Truncation

*

We can use an asterisk* for words that could have multiple relevant endings, this helps to broaden your search without having to put all the different possibilities in.  e.g. 

Behav* will search for:  Behavior, Behaviour, Behavioral, Behaviorally, Behaviorism, Behaviorist, Behave, Behaved, Behaving

Research tips

  • Use a variety of sources to get the full picture
  • Try to use known authoritative/trusted websites rather that generic websites.
  • Look for references and follow these to better sites.  
  • Back general information up with primary research.
  • Critically assess what you find.
  • Use your instincts – if it seems unauthoritative or unofficial, it probably is.
  • Sometimes, the harder it is to reference, the less authoritative/reliable it is.

Critically assessing a resource

How to assess the quality of a resource

Currency
•When was it published or last updated?
•Is it the information still relevant and up-to-date?
•Has anything newer been published?
•Are the links functional?
•How quickly does information change in this area?

Relevance
•Does the information relate to your topic and answer your question?
•What is the level of the information and intended audience?
•Does the information contribute to your knowledge of a subject?
•How appropriate is the information for use within your research?

Authority
•Who is the author/publisher /source of the information?
•What are the author’s credentials?
•Is the author affiliated with any educational or prominent institutions?
•Is there any contact information provided?
•Can you find any additional information about the author from other sources?

Accuracy
•Are there any statements that seem unlikely or false?
•Is the information supported by evidence and references?
•Was the information reviewed by editors or experts before being published?
•Are there any errors in spelling, punctuation, or grammar?
•Does the information reflect what other people have said on the topic?

Purpose
•Why was the information written? To sell, persuade, entertain, or inform?
•Is the information factual; an opinion; or propaganda meant to influence the reader for political, ideological, cultural, religious or commercial purposes?
•Is there an obvious bias or prejudice?
•What information is given about the author/organisation providing the information?