IMC Library – Mrs Devine
As many students are now embarking on the preparation, planning and completion of their Term 2 assessment tasks, it is a good time to refresh our knowledge and understanding of effective research skills.
Effective Research Tips
1. Start with a wide searchWhen we begin a research task, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to begin. Conducting a basic internet search using Google or Wikipedia is absolutely fine at this stage. Many universities encourage their students to do this in the initial stages of research so that they can get a general understanding of a topic. |
2. Find a quality source of informationWhile the internet is an amazing tool that provides us with a seemingly unlimited amount of information, one of the downsides is that there is no regulation of the information that is uploaded and presented. Therefore, it is vital that you check the reliability of each source you use. Ask questions such as: ● Is information from a reputable website or organisation? ● Is the author an expert in their field? ● How old is the resource? Is it still valid? ● Does the source appear to have any conflict of interest or bias? |
3. Verify the informationIs the information true? Can it be found in multiple sources of information? Rather than just relying on one source of information, be sure to check multiple sources to verify the research you have found. |
4. Take advantage of library resourcesThe IMC library provides access to a large collection of resources – hard copy (in the non-fiction section) and digital (Britannica Schools Online, Clickview and SORA). The library is a good place to search for resources because the sources will be credible.
State Library of New South Wales: Membership is free for all NSW residents. The State Library provides an amazing collection of resources and also caters specifically for students studying the NSW curriculum. They also have a vast range of HSC resources available for English, History, Legal Studies and Society and Culture. https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/
Trove: Another wonderful, free resource for students exploring topics relating to Australia. This site has been created in collaboration with many organisations such as the National Library of Australia. Its title comes from the phrase ‘treasure trove’ because this website provides access to an amazing collection of artefacts, curiosities and stories from Australia’s cultural, community and research institutions. https://trove.nla.gov.au/ |
Children’s Book Council Awards
Each year, across Australia, the CBCA brings children and books together celebrating CBCA Book Week.
The Notables List for 2022 has been published and we have created a beautiful display in the Reading Room to promote these titles.
New Books
We have had lots of new titles delivered to the IMC this term and they are simply flying off the shelves! Here are two of our latest additions to the collection:
The Cult of Romance by Sarah Ayoub
Author Sarah Ayoub has given Australian YA literature a fresh and uniquely cross-generational and cross-border perspective on themes of identity, family, friendship, loyalty and love. A young Australian Lebanese woman grappling with these questions as she navigates her parent’s homeland, Lebanon.
The Greatest Thing by Sarah Winifred Searle
This YA graphic novel will be a hit for fans of Raina Telgemeier. It’s the first day of sophomore year, and now that Winifred’s two best (and only) friends have transferred to a private school, she must navigate high school on her own. But she isn’t alone for long. In art class, she meets two offbeat students, Oscar and April. With breathtaking art and honest storytelling, rising star Sarah Winifred Searle delivers a heartfelt story about love, friendship, and self-acceptance.
