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What you need to do

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

Planning your search

Planning your search is key to getting the most out of your search results. The following generic video will help you get started.

 Video Length: (2 min 26 sec)

Step 1: Identify the main concepts in your research question.
 

Assignment questions typically consist of numerous subtopics, making it difficult to research all of them simultaneously. A best practice is to break down the question into manageable subtopics and conduct individual searches for each one.

We have created an example assignment topic below to demonstrate how to identify concepts in your research question. 

Discuss the significance of using reflective practice as an approach to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing.

The main concepts:

  • Reflective practice
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • wellbeing



 

Step 2: List alternative terms for each concept
 

Key concepts Alternative terms

Reflective practice

Reflectivity, Self-reflection, Introspection, self-analysis, introspection, self-examination, self-questioning, self-scrutiny
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander  Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, First Nations, First Peoples, First Australians
Health and wellbeing 

well-being, quality of life, life quality, hrqol

Step 3: Connect terms together using AND and OR to form a search

Once you have identified your keywords and found alternative keywords, you need to connect these to put your search together.

Use the following connectors below to indicate how you want the tool to search for your keywords:

  • OR: Combines similar keywords
  • AND: Combines different keywords

Remember to use "quotation marks" to keep phrases together.

Find below an example search using the terms listed in the table above. 

("Reflective practice" OR reflectivity OR introspection) AND (Aboriginal OR "Torres Strait Islander") AND (Wellbeing OR well-being)

Searching

These example searches show you how to search:

  • Library collection
  • Google Scholar
  • Database (Informit Indigenous Collection)

The example searches listed below are by no means exhaustive and you will be expected to think of your own concepts and alternative terms as well as those outlined in your course assessment when creating a search strategy for your essay topic. 

Library Collection

Here is a search from the Library Collection using the example search strategy in the above table.

 

("Reflective practice" OR reflectivity OR introspection) AND (Aboriginal OR "Torres Strait Islander") AND (Wellbeing OR well-being)

Google Scholar

As Google Scholar will usually locate many results you can incorporate another concepts to the search strategy by using the connector AND to focus on your search. 

(Reflectivity OR Reflective practice OR Self-reflection OR self-analysis OR introspection OR self-examination OR self-questioning OR self-scrutiny OR Introspection) AND (Aboriginal OR “Torres Strait Islander” OR “First Nations” OR “First Peoples” OR “First Australians”) AND (Wellbeing OR well-being OR "quality of life" OR "life quality" OR hrqol)

Indigenous Collection

The Informit Indigenous Collection is a database that provides content on historical and topical issues within Indigenous studies. 

Reflectivity OR Self-reflection OR self-analysis OR introspection OR self-examination OR self-questioning OR self-scrutiny OR Introspection AND Aboriginal OR “Torres Strait Islander” OR “First Nations” OR “First Peoples” OR “First Australians” AND wellbeing OR well-being OR "quality of life" OR "life quality" OR hrqol

Aboriginal health & emotional wellbeing

Reflective writing

Your journal entry should include a reflective element. If you're not familiar with reflective writing, the video and resources below may assist you to understand what is required (video length: 2 min 15 sec).

  • Reflective writing helps you to look back over your learning experiences.
  • It shows how your knowledge, skills and attitudes are developing.
  • Reflective writing involves more than just describing your learning and development.
  • It's important to evaluate and analyse your learning to show a deeper level of reflection.
  • This can include what, why, and how you are learning, any changes you would like to make, and gaps in your understanding.
  •  You may need to link your reflections to your course readings and theories, and consider how these reflections can help you develop as a professional.
  • The layout of reflective writing can vary - always check your task instructions and feedback form for specific details.
  • You can use more personal language in your reflective writing, however it is still a formal assignment and may require you to reference key theories or ideas in an academic style.
  • Reflective writing is not a linear process. It involves adding, changing, rethinking, refining, restructuring your ideas.

How to Write a Case Study

Example Case Studies

APA Referencing Style