How to search

1. Get to know your subject

To find basic information about the subject you are researching, read about it in encyclopædias to get a summary of your topic and to to find additional search words for future searches. The school has access to Encyclopædia Britannica Online.

2. Choose your course

What approach will you have to your subject? Note the words/subject terms that you want to use when searching in databases and library catalogues.

3. Dig deeper

Now when you have an idea of what kind of information you need, there are several kinds of information sources you can search.

Books

You can search for books in several library catalogues. You can search for titles, categories or subject terms.
Go to Digital Resources and look under Library Catalogues

Databases

The school has access to quality controlled databases.
Go to Digital Resources and look under Academic Resources and
Newspapers & Journal Archives.

There might be information about your subject in magazines and newspapers, especially if you are researching a current issue. The library subscribes to various magazines and newspapers and has access to quality controlled online resources, such as databases from Gale.

If you have a library card and a pin code to Stockholm Public Library, you can search in various databases, newspapers and magazines from home or school.

Go to Stockholm public library newspaper page

Searching the web

It is easy to find information on the web, but it is harder to know what sources you can trust. Be sure to assess all your sources carefully.

When you use Google or other search engines, you often receive an overwhelming number of search results. The most relevant search results may not even be at the top of the page. Also keep in mind that there is very little quality control on the web, so you will have to check your sources extra carefully. Find out who the author is and when the information was published. Also check for any potential bias and make sure the information is truthful and authentic.

Organizations and authorities often have useful information on their web pages. For example, if you want to know more about the Swedish government, start with a visit to their website.

And of course, ask the librarian!