This page takes you through the key steps in finding information for your assignment. It is aimed at 1st and 2nd level students. If you are doing higher-level modules, see: Finding information on your research topic.
OU Library Services offers a regular online training session on How to find information for your assignment.
Good places to start are:
Planning: Think about what you are really looking for and decide which words best describe your topic. You will probably have a go at searching and adapt your search as you go along, depending on what you find.
Refining your search: If you find too many results, you may want to add more keywords to make it more specific. If you find too few relevant results, try removing one or two words to make your search broader. Set a time limit and stop if you have not found anything.
For more detailed guidance see Planning and carrying out a search.
If you have a large number of results you will first want to filter them to weed out irrelevant information. A quick way of judging the quality and relevance of information you find on the web is to ask: Who? Why? When?
For journal articles, peer review can provide a guide to academic quality, but you should still carry out your own evaluation, to be sure the information meets your needs.
For more detailed guidance see Evaluate information.
For any material you consult it is a good idea to record what you find, and where and when you found it. This will make it easier to acknowledge your sources correctly and retrace your steps if you need to.
For more guidance see Referencing and plagiarism.