You will need to think about where you might find information about your topic. Subject specialist journal databases, library catalogues, video collections, specialist library collections, online resources and print material may need to be searched to unearth research papers in your chosen field. You can always discuss where and how to search for information with your librarian or archivist. Colleagues and supervisors may also provide useful suggestions.
The University of Queensland has produced a range of how-to-guides that outline techniques for finding specialist information. While the links provided are for access to the UQ library system and will not work for Charles Sturt University students, the information may help you to consider resources other than journal articles and books. You can always discuss how the Library can access specialist information by contacting your Faculty Librarians.
Primo is the library catalogue and allows you to search for books, journal articles and full-text resources held by the library.
Academic Libraries have invested heavily in books published by reputable and scholarly publishers. These publications will often provide highly detailed and in depth coverage of the research topic which is not always possible in journal articles alone.
Books: Search Primo and Libraries Australia which searches most library catalogues throughout Australia. The National Library of Australia and all the State Libraries are deposit libraries, so you can be sure you are seeing everything that has been published in Australia, including theses, reports and conference papers.
Request an inter-library loan for items not held at Charles Sturt University. (Note: not available to offshore students.)
Electronic books: eBooks are available from Primo and eBook searches
Trove Digitised Newspapers, Maps and Manuscripts
In a single search, users can search across pictures, unpublished manuscripts, books, oral histories, music, videos, research papers, diaries, letters, maps, archived websites, and Australian newspapers from 1803 to 1954. Note that Australian newspaper content is available in full-text.
Grey literature refers to scholarly works and research that have not been commercially published. Grey literature is generally not subject to peer review however, it can often be a good source of up to date information. Alternatively, it can provide a valuable historical link to how things were done in the past.
Examples of grey literature include:
To find grey literature you can search:
Resources
Tyndall, J. (2008) How low can you go? Towards a hierarchy of grey literature. Presented at Dreaming08: Australian Library and Information Association Biennial Conference, 2-5 September 2008, Alice Springs
Australian Government Agencies are active online publishers. You can search for current publications on agencies websites or you can do an advanced google search and limit the domain to .gov.au
Sites to search for government publications include:
The Spatial Data Analysis Network (SPAN) is a research support unit within the Research Office, Charles Sturt University. SPAN's primary role is to support research by academic staff and higher degree (HDR) students of the university in the areas of:
Quantitative Consulting Unit - The Quantitative Consulting Unit (QCU) is part of the Research Office at Charles Sturt University that provides statistical support to research students and staff across the University.
Journal articles, books and other items that are not held by the Library may be requested using our Interlibrary loans service. This service is provided free for academic staff and honours, masters and PhD students. We will locate and supply items from another library or commercial document supplier, provided it is directly related to your current study or research at Charles Sturt University.
See the InterLibrary Loans webpage for more information.
Charles Sturt University acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which its campuses are located, paying respect to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples.
Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. CRICOS Provider: 00005F.
