This guide will introduce you to physical and online resources. It will also help you to develop a search strategy to locate useful material to complete assessment tasks.
1. Collect all your information about the assignment
2. Analyse and prepare
3. Read for Information
4. Start writing
For more tips on writing better university assignments, check here
Watch this video to learn how to identify keywords when searching for information on a topic
Successful keyword searching requires applying search techniques such as using operators to join search terms, specific phrases or relevant word variations. Use the tabs at the top of the panel to explore them.
The three most commonly used operators are AND, OR and NOT. They can broaden or narrow your set of results and exclude unwanted search terms and concepts.
For example:
AND will narrow your search returning results that contain all of your search terms
children AND sugar
OR will broaden your search returning results that contain any but not all of your search terms. It is useful for finding synonyms or where different words are of equal value in your search
sugar OR sugars OR sugar consumption OR sugar intake
NOT will narrow your search by eliminating words from your search results. It should be used with care as it can easily exclude relevant results.
snack food NOT sugar-sweetened beverages
To search for two or more words in exact order, place double quotation marks " " around the words. The database will only return articles containing that specific phrase rather than articles containing each word found individually anywhere in the text.
Example:
The phrase "sugar consumption" will retrieve articles with all words as you type them in with no other words in between.
Truncation is also known as stemming, is a technique that broadens your search to include alternative word endings and spellings.
To use truncation, enter the root of a word and put the truncation symbol * at the end.
The database will return results that include any ending of that root word.
For example:
For example:
sugar** = sugar and sugars and sugary
It is important not to shorten the root too much as it may retrieve too many irrelevant results. For example, su* will bring up the surface, sum, and sushi.
How to fix your academic writing trouble : a practical guide by
This book is an easy-to-use resource for postgraduate students and researchers in all disciplines, and even professional academics, to diagnose their writing issues and find ways to fix them.
What Is good scademic writing? Insights into discipline-specific student writing by
"Each chapter provides an answer to the titular question by an EAP expert based on research which includes analysis of student writing and interviews with academics from around the world, as they are the people who determine what 'good writing' is in their discipline. Chapters look at established disciplines which have had less attention in the EAP and academic writing literature to date, including music, formal linguistics, and dentistry, as well as new and growing fields of study such as new media"
Essay Writing Skills by
Writing essays is a major part of many further education courses. In coursework assignments, dissertations and exams, a well-written essay can make the difference between a pass and a fail, and these essays provide you with the stepping stones that take you towards the degree, qualification and career that you desire. Nothing will expose your uncertainty or lack of knowledge more than a poorly written essay; what Essay Writing Skills does is let you know what is expected of you and how best to go about your research, thus allowing you to get on top of your workload quickly. Essay Writing Skills offers practical and proven ways to maximise your success in all aspects of essay writing. From planning your first essay to assessing primary and secondary sources, it will help you to write in a systematic way that presents a convincing and academically sound argument. A comprehensive guide, it provides guidance and advice on good research techniques, grammar and accuracy, creating an essay plan and correctly citing your sources. It also includes a range of real life example essays and insider knowledge on how your essays are assessed, Essay Writing Skills is an indispensible source of advice, making the writing process clear and manageable to help you improve the quality of your written work.
Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition
The role of nutrition in improving quality of life and combating disease is undeniable -- and researchers from different disciplines are bringing their perspectives to bear on this fundamental topic. The 4-volume Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition, Third Edition, is a thorough revision of the previous award-winning version and reflects the scientific advances in the field of human nutrition. It presents the latest understanding on a wide range of nutrition-related topics including food safety, weight management, vitamins, bioengineering of foods, plant based diet and raw foods among others. New articles on organic food, biofortification, nutritional labeling and the effect of religious customs on diet, among many others, reflect the dedication to currency in this revision. It not only contains the most current and thorough information available on the topic, but also contains broader cross-referencing on emerging opportunities for potential treatment and prevention of diseases. An ideal starting point for scientific research, Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition, Third Edition, continues to provide authoritative information in an accessible format, making this complex discipline available to readers at both the professional and non-professional level. Selected for inclusion in Doody's Core Titles 2013, an essential collection development tool for health sciences libraries Approximately 30% new content ensures readers have the latest research information Extensive cross-referencing provides key connections between topics in this multidisciplinary field Presents current information on relationships between disease and nutrition Covers thoroughly topics ranging from nutrient biochemistry and function to clinical nutrition and the epidemiology of diet, health and disease.
Vitamins and Minerals by
This accessible reference profiles the vitamins and minerals most important to human health, presenting information in an easy-to-use format and summarizing the findings of key research studies. Everyone knows that vitamins and minerals are nonnegotiable components of optimal health. But what exactly do these substances do in the body, and how much of each is needed? What happens if an individual ingests too little or too much of a particular vitamin or mineral? Which foods are the best sources of them, and are dietary supplements a safe alternative? Do certain vitamins and minerals offer protection against certain diseases and medical conditions? Vitamins and Minerals: Fact versus Fiction provides answers to these and many other questions in an accessible format, backed by summaries of key research findings. This book cuts through the confusion and hype that surround the nutrition and supplements industries to offer readers clear guidance founded on solid medical research. A standardized chapter structure and several appendices make the most important information readily available, while introductory essays explore fundamental topics--such as different types of intake recommendations and how they're determined--in greater depth. Utilizes a standardized chapter structure that makes finding specific information fast and simple Summarizes and contextualizes key research findings in easy-to-understand language Provides introductory materials to help readers build a solid foundation of knowledge, including how suggested vitamin and mineral intake amounts are determined and how dietary supplements are regulated Includes appendices that provide at-a-glance information about the best food sources for all vitamins and minerals covered in the book
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