We understand that students and researchers need to go through several stages of information seeking in their research work.

While it is quite hard to comprehend all research needs of every subject field, we have put together a handful of basic resources and relevant services to help you in planning your research and preparing your literature review etc.

Before you start, you may like to first decide on the citation style that you will use, e.g. MLA, APA etc. Also, bibliographic managers, e.g. RefWorks, Endnote, Reference Manager, or Pro-Cite could help you to manage your data effectively. An early understanding of what your chosen software can do means your research could be conducted more systematically.

Keep this Signpost handy as your partner in research work.

	Books	Electronic Databases	Audio-visual Collection	Internet Resources
Identify and develop your topic	Research tips and ideas How to do research?	Encyclopedias Dictionaries Newspapers	Researching the topic	Internet Subject Guides
Collect further background information	Printed references on various research subjects (Please select Reference Collection in the Search Menu) Bibliographies on various subjects	PolyU Electronic Theses Digital Dissertation Consortium Proquest Dissertation & Theses Index to Theses Web of Science	Theses in Microfiche AV resources on various research subjects (Please select Audio Visual Collection in the Search Menu)	Australian Digital Theses Program Theses Canada Portal 全國博碩士論文摘要檢索系統 PQDT Open Yahoo : Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Find other relevant books and materials	Materials in various subject areas Research methodology	E-Books E-Journals TDNet CAJ Databases	Local TV programmes on various research subjects (Please select Local TV Collection in the Search Menu)	Patents & Standards  Other Internet Searching Tools
Use abstracts/indexes to find periodical articles/reports/reviews etc	Printed reference on various abstracts & indexes (Please select Reference Collection in the Search Menu)	Abstracts & Indexes	AV resources on various research indexes (Please select Audio Visual Collection in the Search Menu)	Google Scholar
Evaluate what you have found to ensure that you have selected the most reliable scholarly research materials with good validity and reliability! Go through the module on evaluating resources in our Online Information Literacy Programme.
Other assistance provided by the Library: Library Resources on Writing Academic Papers How to Perform a Database Search Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services Personal Information Consultancy Service Faculty Librarians can help you to identify electronic and printed resources for your needs. We will also help you to make strategic use of the relevant resources of your area of research and introduce you to the state-of-the-art bibliographic and reference tools. Please contact your Faculty Librarian for an appointment. Searching for Dissertations Searching the Internet Using Library Catalogues

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