Primary Sources

Publication Cycle (Engineering & Science): to find primary and secondary sources of information, use tertiary sources of information: dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks. When a researcher publishes material, they follow the cycle clockwise. To find primary and secondary sources, follow the cycle anti clockwise.

Search Tips

• Begin by defining exactly what you are searching for
• Select the keywords/synonyms in your topic
• Be specific when determining keywords/synonyms and terms to search
• Use the advanced interface of electronic databases and Internet search engines to help narrow your search
• Limit results in electronic databases to full-text or peer reviewed journals only
• Use Boolean Operators to connect search terms (Click for a brief explanation of Boolean Operators)
• Take notes during your research to keep track of where you have been, keywords searched, what worked and what didn't, etc.
• Google search secrets [electronic resource] / Christa Burns and Michael P. Sauers.

Writing

• Citing your sources
• Citation Management
• Writing Services
• Writing a Literature Review
  • The Literature Review: A Few Tips on Conducting it (U. of Toronto)
  • Academic Writing: What is a literature review