Library Guides: Business Studies: 3. Search the Library

Scholarly Resources

For your assessments you need to find scholarly resources which are academic or authoritative sources.

What is an academic or scholarly source?

It is authoritative: it identifies the qualifications and expertise of the writer
It is well-cited: academic writing always credits the origins of information and ideas with a reference list
It is usually peer-reviewed or refereed: other academics have read and reviewed the work before publication.
It is objective: an academic source should aim to examine a topic fairly, not ignoring opposing opinions
It is written for academics: university lecturers, students, and professionals in the field.

The best place to find these resources are in Primo Search and the Library Databases.

Commonly used sources

There are many different types of resources which might offer information on the topic you are researching, but you need to consider whether the source is scholarly or authoritative enough for your assessment. The following pages will introduce you to three common search tools to help you find resources for your assignments.

Source type	Use this resource to:	Where to access this source:
Book/eBook	Get an overview, introduction, and/or background on a topic Get in-depth information about a broad topic	Use Primo Search to find books and ebooks. See the eBook page for more information about our ebook databases
Journal article	Get the best source of academic or scholarly information Get highly relevant and subject specific information on your topic Find citations and reference lists that will help you identify other important works on a subject.	You can find the Library's databases on the Journal Databases page. Primo Search can also be used to find journal articles.
Newspaper/Media	Investigate public attitudes to topics and issues Get the latest information about new ideas or the business and finance landscape.	Informit EduTV Australian database of streaming videos from free-to-air and pay-TV, selected for tertiary institutions. TVNews A searchable database of Australian free-to-air television news, current affairs, and (selected) documentary programs, available as digitised video. ANZ Newsstream A ProQuest database featuring the full-text of Australian and New Zealand newspapers. Previously called ANZ Newsstand Primo Search can also be used to find media sources.
Websites	Locate reports and documents from government, academic, or professional organisations Find background or introductory information Familiarise yourself with the topic	See the Business, Management, Marketing & WHS, guide for a list of reliable government, information sources and professional bodies.
Reference material	Find factual and statistical information on a topic Get an overview of a subject Find definitions Use subject specific resources to decipher the "jargon" of your topic	See the Business, Management, Marketing & WHS for a list of dictionaries and encyclopaedias. Use Primo Search to find other relevant resources.

Library

Business Studies: 3. Search the Library

Scholarly Resources

Commonly used sources

Sources of information

The information cycle