Search for research literature
Library databases
Find specialised content including:
- journal articles
- conference papers
- case law and legislation
- drug and clinical information
- statistics
- standards
- company information and financials
- research datasets.
Check the database’s home page for search tips, tutorials and self-help guides.
Find a database
Access your preferred database by browsing the alphabetical list.
Library guides
Discover databases and resources for your discipline.
Library catalogue
Find journal articles, conference proceedings, books, theses, video content and more.
Google Scholar
Set-up Google Scholar to access full text articles available via the Library.
LibKey Nomad
Install the Chrome browser extension and connect to library subscribed content when searching the web.
Can’t find it in the Griffith collection?
Request articles and book chapters from other libraries.
Build your search strategy
Identify main concepts
- Break your research topic into key concepts:
- Think about the main ideas that make up your topic.
- Imagine explaining your topic to someone using four words or fewer.
Brainstorm keywords
- Create a list of synonyms and related terms for each concept.
- Use a thesaurus.
- Look out for more terms while reading.
- Ask an artificial intelligence tool like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot:
- Learn how to write effective prompts.
- Critically evaluate the responses.
- Be aware of academic integrity when using these tools.
Organise search terms
- Structure your search in a table.
- Put each concept into its own column.
- List synonyms and related terms.
| Concepts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| marine mammals | microplastics | ingestion | |
| Synonyms |
|
|
|
Include spelling variations
Add both British and American English spelling, for example ‘colour’ and ‘color’.
Search for phrases
Enclose phrases in quotation marks, for example “higher education”.
Find different word endings
Use truncation, for example teen* to find singular, plural and different word endings.
Use wildcards
Account for spelling variations with wildcards, for example behavio?r
Combine search terms
Combine keywords with and, or and not, for example:
- dolphins or whales
- microplastics and shellfish.
Limit your search
Refine results by using limit options, for example:
- by date
- publication type
- discipline
- language.
Examine references
Check the references at the end of articles or book chapters to identify additional resources.
Keep current
Stay up to date with the latest, relevant research by setting up keyword, journal or author alerts in databases. Another option is to set up new article alerts in BrowZine.
Find seminal research
Use Scopus or Web of Science to find pivotal articles. After doing a keyword search, sort your results by citation count to bring the most influential articles to the top. In Google Scholar, highly cited research tends to appear on the first few pages of your results.
Citations can be positive, negative or neutral. Critically evaluate any highly cited research to determine its place in your discipline.
Discover related research
Explore related papers when searching in library databases. Or try using literature mapping tools to discover articles based on papers you've already read. Free options include:
Other tools such as Connected Papers or Litmaps may require payment.
Seek advice
Ask your colleagues, supervisors and peers for recommendations on papers you should read.
How-to videos
Watch the videos to learn how to effectively find literature for your research project.
Types of reviews and context
Search techniques
Breaking down a research question
Database searching demonstration
Proximity searching
Tracking the research evidence
Search systematically
Speak with your supervisor or team leader if you are undertaking a systematic-style review to ensure you use the correct approach for your discipline.
Understand systematic-style reviews
Record your search
Be strategic with your searching. This helps you logically structure your search process and saves time.
If you are conducting a systematic-style review, this kind of record is even more important as it will ensure you have covered everything you need.
Ask the library
We are here to help!
Find us in the libraries or contact us by phone or online.
Copyright matters
Find information and support for all aspects of your copyright compliance obligations.
eResearch services
For help with your research technology, data science and technical infrastructure needs.
Office for research
For help with research grant funding opportunities, ethical and IP matters.
Workshops
Attend a workshop targeted to support you throughout the research lifecycle.
Griffith University Research Methods Advisors
For advanced statistical advice.
Digital dexterity
Digital skills have never been more important. Discover your digital dexterity with our self-evaluation tool and identify areas you can improve.