My Information Skills

Self-paced tutorials on research and study skills for TAFE SA students

Identify search tools

When you are sure that you have a good understanding of exactly what your assignment is asking for, you are ready to start your research.

It is important to get your information from a variety of sources and to ensure you evaluate those sources to ensure their credibility. How reliable is my information? will go into greater detail on evaluating resources to be sure that your information is not inaccurate, biased or out of date.

The main search tools used when doing academic research are:

  • The TAFE SA library catalogue, including:

    • books
    • e-books
    • journals and magazines
    • e-journals
    • audio visual material (e.g. DVDs and streaming videos)
  • TAFE SA library databases, including

    • online journal and magazine articles
    • online newspapers
    • online encyclopaedias
    • e-books
    • images 
    • streaming videos
    • ​Australian Standards
       
  • The Internet

    • You will obviously find a lot of information on the Internet, but will need to take extra care when evaluating the credibility and usefulness of information found online.

In How do I find information? we will look at how to search for information using these search tools - but first, some pointers on using the Internet safely and appropriately.