Before you start searching read the assignment instructions and marking criteria carefully.
Highlight the:
Once you have identified the key concepts (main ideas) note down other ways these may be expressed in the literature.
A mind map or table can help you organise keywords.
Key concepts | human factors | failure | add next key concept |
Alternative keywords |
human factor |
failures |
list keywords |
Getting started:
A key source will be the official accident investigation reports. To find these search using Google or another internet search engine.
The Library Collection can be a good place to start your search and find further relevant keywords.
Tips: Use the * symbol (truncation) to easily find plurals and different word endings
Narrow your search further by using the limits (filters) available from the results page. The Source Title limit will help you identify top journals appearing.
Select the multifield search option to search in a similar way to Scopus.
Watch this video (10 min 57 sec) for a demonstration of searching Scopus.
Please note that the layout of the guide has changed since this video was recorded. The guide on finding scholarly sources can now be found at the link below:
Evaluate all literature - even if you have found it in the Library collection or databases.
Currency | How current does the information need to be? Are older, seminal works fine to use? |
Relevance |
Does the information found answer your question? |
Authority | What are the author's qualifications? Are they linked to a university, research institute or government department? |
Accuracy | Is evidence given for the research undertaken? What methods are used? Are they sound? Is there a bibliography or references given? |
Purpose | Is it trying to communicate research, persuade you or sell you something? It is expressing an opinion, or is it balanced and objective? |