Searching, referencing and copyright

Effective academic work involves skilled literature searching to find relevant sources, accurate referencing to credit ideas, and an understanding of copyright to use materials ethically.

Doing a review?

Literature review

A literature review is an analysis of the scholarly writings which are relevant to your research topic

Systematic review

A systematic review answers a specific research question by compiling and evaluating multiple studies, offering an impartial summary of evidence to guide practice, policy, and research.

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Scoping review

A scoping review is a type of research synthesis that maps the existing literature on a broad topic to identify key concepts, research gaps, and types of evidence.

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Covidence

Covidence is a web-based tool that can simplify the processes of systematic and scoping reviews by importing citations ready for screening by multiple reviewers. Instructions are included in the Systematic review and the Scoping review guides.

Literature searching

Strategies and resources for literature searching

Covers key resources to use when literature searching, and the features of developing an effective search strategy. Practical learning activities included.

Conducting a systematic review

Covers the key steps in conducting a systematic review—formulating a question, developing a protocol, searching, analysing, and reporting. Practical learning activities included.

Literature searching playlist

Library webinars and short videos covering the process of conducting effective literature searches.

Referencing

EndNote

EndNote is reference management software for organising references, creating bibliographies and collaborating by sharing libraries. Available for Windows and Mac, including a simplified web version.

Mendeley

Mendeley is a free reference manager for collecting, organising, citing, and sharing references. Includes Desktop and Web versions, usable together or separately.

Zotero

Zotero is a free, open-source tool that creates, stores, and manages references and bibliographies.

Reference management tools

EndNote, Mendeley and Zotero are just some of the tools you can use to managing references and bibliographies.

Choosing a reference manager

Explore the features of Endnote, Zotero and Mendeley in this module, making it easier to decide which reference manager would best meet your needs.

EndNote playlist

Library webinars and short videos covering the use of EndNote to help organise and manage citations and bibliographies, including the use of Word.

Copyright

Copyright guide

A companion guide to the copyright webpages.

Copyright advice (students)

Provides comprehensive guidance for students on how to use copyrighted materials responsibly and legally in their academic work.

Copyright advice (staff)

Part of RMIT’s broader compliance framework, which outlines the university’s legal and ethical responsibilities.

Copyright, privacy and integrity playlist

Library webinars and short videos covering a myriad of aspects of copyright use in teaching, learning and research.

Research methods for HDRs

Librarians and academic skills advisors can deliver customised HDR research methods workshops on:

Orientation and introduction to library services and resources
Developing effective search strategies, including identifying, evaluating, and accessing relevant resources
Managing references, including choosing and using a reference manager such as EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley
Organising research materials such as PDFs
Setting up and using ORCiD
Researching and writing the literature review
Thesis writing and academic writing style: synthesising literature, writing with authority, developing voice
Writing abstracts, research questions, and research statements
Preparing for academic publication, including writing and strategic publishing.

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Other resources and tools

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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