Searching for information

Guidance on planning and carrying out searches to find and access the most relevant sources. Strategies to find recommended and wider reading, images, figures, and archival records.

Student choosing a book from the library

How to find recommended reading

Find recommended sources using Reading Lists, StarPlus and other discovery tools.

Student in library

How to plan an effective information search

Develop a search strategy and select your search tools to quickly find the most relevant results.

A large panoramic shot of the interior of a library, with many bookshelves on multiple floors

How to search for wider reading

Use academic databases and specialist discovery tools for a research project or assessment.

two students study together in the library

How to find archival sources

Access records of historically significant people, places, and events from physical or digitised collections.

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How to find images and figures

Find images, graphs, charts, and figures and use them effectively and ethically in your work.

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Study Skills A to Z

Use our A to Z list of pages to quickly find the information you need.

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Contact us

Get in touch with us with any queries about research skills.

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