Getting started.
While it might be tempting to take a short cut, if you follow this method during your studies, it will save you time and effort.
Get advice from the Library and the Learning Hub when you need it, in the following areas:
- Reading the instructions of your assessment task very carefully. Make sure that you understand what you are required to do, for example does it say 'analyse' or 'discuss'.
- Read a core text, relating to your topic to gain an understanding of the issues. Reading gets you thinking about possible issues.
- Identify the key words for your assessment task. Then list some alternative keywords. We can look at this in more detail later.
- When breaking down the topic into keywords, it becomes clearer that you are looking for supporting evidence for concepts, rather than getting an answer from the internet or a database for your assessment task.
- Start your search for information with an open mind and gather evidence.
- Critically evaluate each author's contribution to the academic discussion. Then you can make your case.
- Mind map to outline the shape your assessment task will take. Mind mapping (or concept mapping), whether using software or not, is an efficient way of getting a clear picture of your plan and includes:
- note-taking
- organising notes
- attachments
- hyperlinking
- charts, figures, etc.
Support for this process is available through the Library and also the Learning Hub.
