Search and discovery

Learning and teaching resources on the topic of finding good quality information and keeping up to date with new publications.

To use an individual resource in your teaching materials (in accordance with the terms of the licence), either link to it directly via the Preview button or click on the file download button. Cardiff University students can also access tutorials and some other resources via the Study Skills section of the Intranet.

Resource title and description	Type
Web of Science citation alerts Video guide on how to set up citation alerts in Web of Science. A transcript is also available to download. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Web of Science keyword alerts Video guide on how to set up keyword alerts in Web of Science. A transcript is also available to download. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Scopus keyword alerts Video guide on how to set up keyword alerts in Scopus. A transcript is also available to download. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Scopus citation alerts Video guide on how to set up citation alerts in Scopus. A transcript is also available to download. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Google Scholar keyword alerts Video guide on how to set up keyword alerts in Google Scholar. A transcript is also available to download. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Searching with keywords in Scopus Video introduction on how to search with keywords in Scopus. A transcript is also available to download. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.	Video
Using databases: basics Video introduction on how to navigate using databases. The video can also be found on YouTube. A transcript is also available. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Using databases: accessing full text Video introduction on how to access full texts when using databases. The video can also be found on YouTube. A transcript is also available. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Accessing British standards online Video introduction on how to access British standard online. The video can also be found on YouTube. A transcript is also available. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Reading and critically analysing a journal article This tutorial will discuss how to read and critically analyse an academic journal article. This tutorial will: Explain the broad categorisations of journal articles Explain/outline the peer review process whereby an article is submitted for scholarly evaluation by experts Suggest questions you need to ask when reading and critically analysing a journal article Provide practical tips to facilitate the effective reading and critical analysis of an article	Tutorial
What is a journal article? This tutorial is an introduction to journal articles; what are they, why are they needed and how authors contribute. This tutorial will: Provide an overview of some of the research process which goes into writing and publishing journal articles Explain how journal articles are constructed Explain why journal articles are constructed in this way
Searching beyond your reading list using LibrarySearch A short online tutorial aimed at introducing key search techniques for researching a topic via LibrarySearch.
Searching beyond your reading list using journal databases A short online tutorial aimed at introducing key search techniques and resources for finding journal literature.	Tutorial
Keeping your research up-to-date This tutorial guides you through the basic procedures for optimising current awareness in your research field. It demonstrates how to set up various types of alerts and highlights a range of other tools and resources to ensure you keep up to date efficiently and effectively.
Identifying the key ideas to research An activity to help identify key ideas or concepts before beginning research.	Activity
Literature searching cycle Image illustrating the literature searching cycle.	Image
Finding appropriate sources This Xerte tutorial is aimed at postgraduate taught level students. It covers: planning a search identifying the key information resources to use effective search techniques how to access full text of documents online, and how to use databases to keep up to date with new publications
Evaluating the evidence: finding good quality information online This Xerte tutorial, aimed at 6th form and further education students, covers: defining the scope of your research topic, search techniques for getting the best out of Google and search tools and web sites for finding good quality, freely available information. This tutorial is part of the Evaluating the Evidence suite created to support schools offering the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate.
Google search tips A selection of simple tips and tricks to improve the accuracy and relevance of your results when searching via Google. The video is also available on YouTube in Welsh and English. A transcript is available. If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.
Creating a mindmap A customisable PowerPoint slide featuring an example of how you can create a mindmap to help plan a search for information on a topic.	Image
Google Scholar – How to access journals off-campus This video shows how to access journals while off-campus using Google Scholar.
Google Scholar – Essential tips This video shows top tips for getting the best out of Google Scholar: Tip 1 - How to focus your search Tip 2 - How to access the full text Tip 3 - How to set up email alerts Tip 4 - How to use the "Cited by" links Tip 5 - How to set up your reference management software If you would like to repurpose this video for your own teaching, please contact us via ilrb@cardiff.ac.uk to request a package of the source video files.	Video
Finding items on your reading list Video giving top tips on finding items on a reading list. The video can also be found on YouTube in English and Welsh. An accompanying text guide is available.
Finding information The University Library Service's quick video with top tips on finding information for your studies using the electronic resources available at Cardiff University. It can also be found on YouTube in English and Welsh. A transcript is available.