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COMM 1081: Introduction to creative industries 

What you need to do

Please refer to your Course Outline and LearnOnline site for full assessment information. 

Plan your search

Watch the video below on how to construct a search strategy

Example question:

"Investigate and discuss the importance of diversity in the film industry."

1. Break your question down:

Identify the task word(s) in your question. "Investigate" and "discuss"
Next identify the content words in your question. You can find these by taking the task word and adding the question “What?”

Investigate or discuss what?

  • Diversity
  • Film Industry

2. Identify your key concepts 

Think of synonyms or similar concepts that can be used.  This is important as not everyone will use the same terminology.

Concept 1: Diversity Concept 2: Film Industry

Synonyms or similar concepts:

  • Multiculturalism
  • Equality

Synonyms or similar concepts:

  • Movie industry
  • Hollywood

3. Build your search strategy

Connect your concepts using AND or OR 

 (diversity OR multiculturalism) AND "film industry" 

Want to know more?

Finding information

These example searches show you how to search:

  • Library collection
  • Google Scholar
  • Database (ProQuest Central)

The search terms listed below are not exhaustive. You will be expected to think of your own concepts based on what is outlined in your course assessment

The Library Collection is a great place to start finding information. 

(diversity OR multiculturalism) AND "film industry" 

Too many search results? Use the Refine my Results menu (on the right hand side) to refine your search.

Further Help

Try Google Scholar to find scholarly information. Access Google Scholar from the Library home page to get access to the full text of any resources that we have in the UniSA library collection.

(Equity OR diversity OR minority OR multiculturalism OR "cultural competence" OR "cultural differences" OR "cultural identity" OR inclusion OR equality OR discrimination) AND (“film industry” OR “movie industry” OR “motion picture industry” OR cinema)  

Further Help

ProQuest Central features a highly-respected, diversified mix of content including scholarly journals, trade publications, magazines, books, newspapers, reports and videos.

 Equity OR diversity OR minority OR multiculturalism OR "cultural competence" OR "cultural differences" OR "cultural identity" OR inclusion OR equality OR discrimination AND “film industry” OR “movie industry” OR “motion picture industry” OR cinema

Further Help

Finding policy documents with APO

For this assignment, it has been recommended that you find your policy document using the Australian Analysis and Policy Observatory.

There are 3 key ways to search the APO website, all of which can be found in the menu bar at the top of the webpage:

  1. Select Browse to search by subject area.
  2. Select Collections to search the 'Cultural Policy & Creative Industries' Collection.
  3. If you know the name of a policy, you can type the name in to the Search Box.

Tip: Refine your search results to South Australian Documents using the Geographic Coverage option in the left hand menu.

A cultural policy is a plan or course of action that will influence and determine cultural decisions, actions and other cultural matters.

Note: A policy will sometimes be called by a different name.  Examples include strategy, plan or procedure.

Cultural policy documents can come from a wide range of groups and organisations.  

For the purposes of this assignment, you may select policy documents from:

  • National (sub-national or local) governments
  • Non-governmental organisations
  • Transnational organisations
  • Private companies
  • Foundations

Writing your assignment

Select the following links below for help on writing assignments at university as well as the different types of assignment formats you may be required to write.

Developing an ePortfolio and career development

Please refer to the list of resources below designed to help you create your own portfolio at UniSA.

Referencing support

Other referencing support tools:

Referencing software (EndNote)

What do you do with all those references you have found?

Use bibliographic management software to store, organise and cite your references. The Library supports the bibliographic management tool EndNote. There are also many free systems available.