LibrarySkills@UCL: Searching for information

When it comes to doing assignments you need to ensure you can:

• Demonstrate your ability to go beyond Explore and exploit academic sources such as bibliographic databases to inform your work;
• Build on your understanding of basic search syntax, and use common textword search techniques (such as truncation, phrase searching, and nesting) to expand and focus your search;
• Construct a rigorous search strategy using the techniques you've learned;
• Use filters and limits in order to efficiently focus your search, if necessary and appropriate.

An understanding of subject headings or indexing terms is an important milestone in understanding how information is organised and can greatly enhance your information search, particularly for some subjects or resources.

If you are working on your dissertation or a research project for your academic programme, our guide will direct you to the support, resources and guidance you need.