After studying this section you will be aware of the different sources of information that are available in the University Library. You will also be able to select the relevant sources for your specific research question.

Once you have formulated a good search question, you must choose which information sources to use. First you will need to decide what sort of information you need. This will determine in what kind of information source you should search.

Not all information is suitable for every purpose. Sometimes you will need to find out about the latest advances in your subject area; another time you will need statistics to back up your report.

Before you begin searching, you need to have a clear idea of the different types of information and related sources. See 'Different types of literature' on this page. 

Do you have an overview of the available sources?  See 'Overview information sources' on this page.

What are the relevant sources for your specific search? See 'Databases' on this page.

SmartCat is the University's library catalogue and discovery tool. Check the SmartCat LibGuide for more information on searching with SmartCat.  

Bibliographic databases are an essential source for scientific information. They are highly suitable for in-depth searching. This Library Guide contains a separate chapter on this topic.  

The University Library has developed a set of subject guides which list a selection of important literature, including databases, per subject. This is a good starting point for your research.

Click here to find an overview of all available subject guides.