Database Searching
Good searching skills these days go well beyond the physical stacks at the Library, but online searches can be quite bewildering until you get to know which databases are the most useful to you. The University has a number of support services to help you improve the success of your database searches.
Library Resources
The Melbourne Uni library system is extensive, incorporating a number of physical collections and access to a huge range of electronic resources. The larger Baillieu, ERC and Giblin Eunson libraries have plenty of study space and computer labs, where you can work or attend a Library presentation or workshop. To find out more, take a library tour early in your degree, and check out the library website and check out our Library User Guide.
LibGuides
Compiled by your friendly Liaison Librarians LibGuides cover a range of research topics and specialised collections. The Subject guides list key databases and other useful resources and services for your subject area.
Discovery
Discovery is the Library's Google-like search engine that allows you to quickly search, discover and access reliable and credible library resources such as print and electronic books, articles, theses and other resources located both in the Library and beyond. Discovery is a great starting point to find resources for your research essay, report or thesis.
Discovery does not contain all of the library's databases. Subject databases can be browsed and accessed via relevant LibGuides. Specific databases can be accessed via the A to Z databases listing and e-journals.
See the Discovery Guide for more information and tutorials.
Online tutorials
Online tutorials and help guides.
Library catalogue
The Library catalogue should be used to items such as print and electronic books, print journals, DVDs, maps, etc.
RSS feeds
If you want to keep track of the latest editions of particular journals, RSS feeds are probably the easiest way to do so. If you want to know more about RSS and how you can use it, there are already many well written tutorials and introductions available on the web. As well as the RSS feed page on CourseWorks, this one from FeedBurner is a good example. There is also a detailed description at Wikipedia.
The Melbourne Uni Library website now offers discipline-specific RSS feeds for recent updates to their materials.
Research Help
The Beginning Research Guide will help you through the beginning stages of researching your essay, paper or thesis.
Referencing
Your lecturers or subject co-ordinators may suggest specific referencing styles for your University assignments. It is important to follow their recommendations. When using a specified referencing style you must use its rules consistently. Refer to re:Cite the Library's easy-to-use tool showing commonly used styles and examples of how different reference types are cited: APA, Harvard, Chicago, MLA, Vancouver, AGLC.
Bibliography management software
Reference management programs provide many useful features that can help you with your research such as:
- Storing and organising your references
- Generating citations and bibliographies in a variety of styles for publication
The University of Melbourne has licensed access to: EndNote, RefWorks, & EndNote Web.
Additionally there are free options available on the web.
See our Managing References Guide for more information and tips on choosing the best program for your needs.
BibTeX
If you are a user of Unix, chances are you've already heard of BibTeX, the excellent bibliography management tool that is specifically for Unix. Wikipedia has a good explanation and links to more related sites.
Other research help
I really wish somebody had told me to take the library tour - or even that there was one.
~current
coursework postgrad
A few of the top priorities to ensure you know all your research options at the University include:
- Read through the Library website.
- Do the Library tour - yes! do the Library tour!
- Subscribe to GradFlash.
- Subscribe to GSA News.
- Subscribe to journal alerts from your favourite e-journals and save your databases searches to get email alerts on your research topics.You will need to register with the journals & databases.
- Make an appointment with your School or Department's Liaison Librarian

