Curriculum
Course: Information, Media & Technology skills
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Curriculum

Information, Media & Technology skills

Information Literacy

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Media Literacy

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Text lesson

Finding Sources

Finding Sources

The initial phase of research involves locating relevant sources. Efficient searching is crucial, and the approach depends on the type and stage of your project.

  • Early Research (Background Information):

    • Use tertiary sources like encyclopedias or dictionaries to get a broad understanding.

  • Later Stages (Detailed Research):

    • Focus on primary and secondary sources that provide in-depth information for your citations.

Reliable Sources Include:

  • Websites: Prioritize domains like .edu or .gov for trustworthy information.

  • Search Engines: Use academic tools such as Google Scholar.

  • Databases: Access institutional resources like JSTOR or PubMed for scholarly materials.

Steps to Find the Right Sources:

  1. Define Your Research Problem:

    • Clearly articulate what you are researching and why.

  2. Select Relevant Databases and Journals:

    • Determine which resources align best with your topic.

  3. Use Boolean Operators:

    • Combine keywords using “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT” to refine your search.

    • For example, “climate change AND renewable energy” narrows results to relevant articles.

Using AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, SciSpace, and Elicit

  • AI tools have revolutionized the way researchers locate, analyze, and synthesize information. Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, SciSpace, and Elicit offer powerful capabilities to refine research questions, generate targeted search terms, and access summarized insights

Clear and focused research questions are the foundation of successful studies. AI tools help you develop well-defined questions tailored to your objectives.

  • ChatGPT:

    • Brainstorm broad ideas and generate specific, focused research questions.

    • Suggest alternative perspectives or subtopics for exploration.

  • Perplexity AI:

    • Provide quick summaries and emerging questions within your field.

    • Highlight frequently discussed themes in academic and professional circles.

  • SciSpace:

    • Offer contextual insights by analyzing existing literature to suggest areas for further research.

    • Identify gaps in knowledge based on trends in scientific papers.

  • Elicit:

    • Use structured prompts to generate hypotheses and targeted questions.