Connect to the platform with your Exeter IT login, and create a free account to save and organise journals and articles.
Use LibKey to help you get access to full text articles.
Click the LibKey icon above to add the extension to your web browser. Select 'University of Exeter' as your institution and login using your Exeter IT login when prompted.
Take a break from your recommended academic reading and explore e-books and audiobooks on the Libby app.
More information can be found on the Libby guide.
Library Search will help you discover books, journals, articles, audio visual material and more on your chosen topic. This is a good place to start when you are beginning to research a topic as you can draw on content from a variety of different sources.
For more in depth research in databases and archives, use the A-Z Databases List.
It can be overwhelming when beginning research for an assignment or research project. There is so much information out there, it can be hard to know where to start.
A Google search can help you find lots of information quickly but the quality of that information will vary greatly.
Use the following tabs to help you begin looking for information on a topic using quality, scholarly resources.
Begin with an overview or introduction to the topic.
Reference works, such as dictionaries, bibliographies and encyclopedias, can provide short summaries, useful when you are just starting your research and need a broad overview. Take a look at some of these resources:
Use introductory works such as those listed below to help develop your understanding of a topic or research area.
The next step is to look deeper into the topic with a book or e-book.
The best way to see what is available is to search via Library Search, but you can see some of the e-book collections listed below, which contain a large number of books relating to Classics and Ancient History:
When you want to research a topic in depth, get some criticism or commentary on a concept, or complete a literature review, then you will need to look at the academic journal articles.
How to find journal articles
Take a look at the guide to searching Année Philologique.
Take a look at the guide to searching JSTOR.
For full text access to works in Greek and Latin, as well as authoritative translations, try these:
Help is available online for using the Thesaurus Linguae Graecae and the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae (Latin dictionary).
Please see our guide to Latin Language Resources.
We have developed guides for the following specialist resources:
Epigraphy - Greek and Latin Inscription Resources
Numismatics - Greek and Roman Coin Resources
Art and Architecture - Resources for Classical Art and Architecture
It is important to plan your search strategy, and manage your search results so that you get the most from your online searching.
Keep a record of all the material you need to cite in your assignments, papers, projects etc.
Use the Search Techniques and Referencing guidance to assist you.
As you search you need to keep track of all the material you will be using in your academic work so that you can cite and reference it appropriately.
Always check your module handbook for specific departmental guidance on the style required for your assessed works and dissertations. Check with your personal tutor or dissertation supervisor if you need clarification.
For more guidance take a look at:
Find out more about the skills support available to help you develop a range of academic skills including essay writing, referencing, critical reading and getting the most out of lectures.
Sage Research Methods Online (SRMO) is a great resource to use when you are planning and conducting your research.
It is targeted at social science researchers but is useful across all subject areas as it covers key research methodology topics that are applicable across the research spectrum.
Sage have produced a comprehensive LibGuide to help you get the best from the resource.
University of Exeter LibGuide is licensed under CC BY 4.0
