This guide is for students studying for the  Bachelor of Paramedicine. The aim of the guide is to provide resources to assist students in developing research skills and completing assessment tasks. 

• Books & ebooks
• Scholarly journals and the peer-review process
• Searching library databases 
• Referencing & plagiarism
• Help

This page provides information on getting started on your research and keyword-searching strategies.

• Search the Library
• Steps for searching the literature
• Keyword search strategies

1.    Collect all your information about the assignment

• the handout on the assignment (due date, word limit, formatting, presentation, marking guide)
• the type of sources required for your Reference List e.g. books, journal articles
• notes from classes on how to complete the essay 

2.    Analyse and prepare

• read your notes and class readings for direction
• do a mind map on the topic- use questions to expand the ideas and knowledge you already have
• do some preliminary research to expand your ideas
• from your mind map write some points grouped under general headings
• where there are gaps in information (or more detail or examples needed) write down some questions that you can research
• identify keywords & search the Library for additional sources e.g. books, journal articles (see the box below for an example of how to break down a topic into Keywords, see the videos in this guide on searching for journal articles)
• write a plan for your essay, 
• what information do you already have? what further information do you need?

3.    Read for Information

• read Required Reading and make notes
• read the journal articles  and books you have found on your topic
• prepare each Reference as you read it, ensure it is written in the APA referencing style. See the APA referencing guide for further assistance

4.    Start writing

• collect notes from your reading and start to build your essay
• write the correct References for each of your readings for your Reference

Watch this video to learn how to identify keywords when searching for information on a topic

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