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EAP (English for Academic Purposes) Research Guide

Searching for Information

TIPSAn image of someone clicking a search button. when searching for information!

Start your research early - it always takes more time than you think! Don't wait until the last few days before an assignment is due.

  • Start your information searches broadly and then get more specific.
  • Stay organized!
  • Do your keyword searches in Library research databases, like the Novanet catalogue and journal article databases.
  • Use your Subject Guide to find the best research databases for your specific area of study.

Why you should search in Library Databases

* You are searching scholarly/academic resources that have been purchased by the Dalhousie Libraries for your use. We spend millions of dollars every year on academic resources for you!
* Content has been purchased by Librarians to meet research and course needs of students and faculty
* Other content has been specifically requested by your professors to meet course needs
* You can identify the author(s) credentials
* You will most often be using books, articles, etc., that include bibliographical references
* The information you find may have been peer-reviewed, which means that before being published, the content has been examined by experts in that field of study, and has been confirmed and verified.

Some Search Reminders

  • You won't find all the information you need in one perfect article.
  • Research means finding and reading multiple sources, be they articles, books, encyclopedia entries, etc.
  • Adjust your searches based on the information you find to fill in gaps in your knowledge.
  • Look at the suggested related articles.
  • Look at the bibliography in a good article you find.
  • Look at the subject terms applied to a good article to find alternate keywords to search.