Introduction
The PostGrad Toolbox
A Collection of Resources
"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." [Chinese proverb]
Research requires a wide range of skills in relation to seeking, finding and evaluating information resources. The ability to use effectively many different information resources is a key skill for researchers. It is equally important to be able to effectively use both the huge volumes of traditional print based material, as well the increasing amount of electronic resources available, locally and around the world.
In the pages of this research skills site, the reference staff of the USQ Library have attempted to draw together a variety of the many resources available to the researcher based at the University of Southern Queensland.
Many of the resources mentioned are electronic, with links directly to relevant information. However, do not lose sight of the print based and people based resources. Most of the world's significant databases of bibliographic literature (eg. Medline, ERIC, Biological Abstracts etc.) do not go back further in their coverage than the mid-to-late 1960's at best. To search for older journal references, you may well need to consult printed indexes, bibliographies, library card catalogues, etc.
Please contact your Faculty Librarian for advice on other resources that may be relevant to your specific research interests.
The research skills information presented in this module is not supposed to provide a guide on "how to do research" in your specialised subject area. There are specific books published on this topic, and the University also provides the advice of academic staff, research supervisors, and counsellors to deal with specific needs.
We hope that this site will provide general advice and information on skills and resources which may make the whole process of researching information a little easier.
Resources
