If you want to do a thorough search of the literature on a topic, the best way to do this is to use a database.
A database indexes journals and other sources of information, meaning you may search across all these indexed sources at once. Databases are not always easy to use. You will be offered training during your course but you can get in touch with your Subject Librarian at any time if you require assistance.
There are lots of different databases, with different topic coverage. See below for some of the resources that are particularly useful for HPE students.
Search the world’s leading scholarly journals, books, and proceedings in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.
Includes: Science Citation Index; Social sciences Citation Index; Arts and Humanities Citation Index; Arts and Humanities Citation Index; Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science; Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Social Science & Humanities.
ERIC, the Education Resource Information Center, includes journal articles, research reports, curriculum and teaching guides, conference papers, dissertations and theses, and books dating back to 1966.
The British Education Index provides information on research, policy and practice in education and training in the UK. It covers all aspects of education from preschool to higher education. Sources include education and training journals, mostly published in the UK. Some international literature is included.
The Australian Education Index is a comprehensive collection of educational research documents relating to educational trends, policy, and practices and is Australia's largest source of education information. Coverage includes trends and practices in teaching, learning and educational management.
International literature on biomedicine, including the allied health fields and the biological and physical sciences, humanities, and information science as they relate to medicine and health care.
CINAHL includes journal articles, books, dissertations, conference proceedings and standards of practice related to nursing, biomedicine, health sciences librarianship, alternative/complementary medicine, consumer health and allied health disciplines.
Help and advice on accessing the Library's resources both on and off-site.
Your Subject Librarian will provide a programme of lectures and training on library and information skills, in consultation with your Department or School.
A number of guides to searching key databases are available on Blackboard. Your Subject Librarian is also able to give help and advice about individual databases and searching in general.