Preparing your search

Before you dive into your research, it’s a good idea to think about a few key questions to give your search some structure right from the start:

What are the key terms of my topic? What do I need this information for? What is the goal of my work? How much information am I looking for? Which search tools work best for my search? Can I find the information I need online? What am I looking for? What do I know about my topic?

How much information am I looking for?

Depending on how much information you are searching, you might find everything you need in books, or you might want to dig deeper into detailed specialized literature like journal articles and specialized books.


What type of information am I looking for?

Consider the kind of literature that best suits your topic. Are introductory materials enough, or are you interested in information on the latest developments? Perhaps you aim to delve deeply into a subject, in which case you’ll need scientific journal essays, industry information, or the like.

Textbooks can serve as a starting point, often providing references for further reading. Here’s a smart move: pick out some journals that relate to your topic and look through the most recent issues, like the ones from the last 3-5 years. Also, check out the references lists of the publications you’ve already found. You might stumble upon more interesting sources and get to know the authors who’ve extensively researched your topic


Which tools should I use for my search?

If you’re in search of books, printed journals or eJournals, we recommend using the WU Catalog. To find journal articles, start your search directly within CatalogPLUS. For eJournals, the Electronic Journals Library is a useful resource. If you need more in-depth research, we suggest utilizing the library’s databases.

You can find further information regarding the various search tools here.