If you want to find information about a topic rather than a specific book or article, you can use the Library's search engine Library Search, or you can search individual databases.
Using Library Search (formerly Summon)
Library Search is a useful starting point as it searches across most of the Library databases at the same time and presents the results in one place. See the Using Library Search guide for help with using Library Search.
Searching databases
Library Search does not cover every database, so you may sometimes need to search within individual databases to find the resources you need.
You might also want to carry out your research within specific databases to take advantage of their specialised search tools. For example, the PsycINFO database allows you to search for studies conducted using specific methodologies, which can produce more precise results than Library Search.
See our Information Skills guidance on searching databases effectively.
Databases usually provide their own help pages and guidance. We also provide Database Quick Start Guides for our key databases.
Carrying out research on the web
You may also wish to carry out research on the wider web. See our Web research guidance for help with this.
Get help from a librarian
If you need help with carrying out research, please contact us and tell us:
- The topic or question you are researching
- The module title and code, if your research relates to a specific module
- Any searches you have already carried out
We can then give you some guidance on how to plan and carry out your searches, for example by suggesting databases and keywords.