Skip to Main Content

Learning Objects

Consider the possible sources of information

Begin by considering any directions stated in the assessment task. For example:

  • Is specific information required? (e.g. company reports, legislation, peer reviewed journal articles)
     
  • Do you need a particular focus? (e.g. Australian or international information)
     
  • Do you need information from a particular timeframe? (e.g. the last 5 years)

There are countless information sources and each fulfils a specific information need or purpose.  Being aware of this will help you select the sources that are appropriate for your assessment task.

Note:  Information sources can be classified according to the type of information they contain.  These are usually called primary, secondary and tertiary sources of information [1 min 14 sec movie].  You may be specifically directed to use one (or more) of these sources in your assessment task.

Check whether your lecturer and Library staff have organised some resources to help you:

Evaluating information using the CRAAP test

The CRAAP test (developed by Meriam Library, California State University, Chico) uses the acronym to engage students in the evaluation process.

CRAAP stands for:

Currency: The timeliness of the information

Relevance: The coverage / depth of coverage and its relevance for your topic

Authority: The source of the information

Accuracy: The reliability and correctness of the information

Purpose: The reason the information exists

Adapted from:

Meriam Library (2010) Evaluating Information - Applying the CRAAP test, viewed 10 December 2012, http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/evalsites.html

Finding Course Resources Online (CROs)

What is Course Resources Online?

Accessing Course Resources Online (CROs)

Having CRO problems?

 

What is Course Resources Online?

When a lecturer needs all students to read an article/book chapter or view a media file which the Library does not hold, or only holds a limited number of copies, the Australian Copyright Act allows us to create an electronic copy and make it available via the Library's website so that all students can easily access it.

Accessing Course Resources Online (CROs)?

CROs may only be accessed by CQUniversity students & staff. If you're accessing the Library's website through an off-campus computer, you will be prompted for your CQUniversity student number & password.

You can access CROs through:

The Student Portal 

Select the link to Course Resources Online from the course information section.


The Library Homepage 

You can also find CROs from the Library Homepage by entering the course code in the Discover it! search box.

Please note there may be up to a 48 hour delay in CROs appearing in Discover it! If you cannot locate the resource in Discover it! please use the Library Catalogue instead.

Discover it search box showing example search

A list of items associated with that course will appear. To access the full text, click on the Online Access link under the citation and the document/file will open.

list of results in Discover it

Having CRO problems?

  • If the article will not download, check Are you having problems loading pdf files?
  • CROs are password-protected, so if you are trying to access them from outside the University, you will need your CQUniversity student number & password to access them.  
  • If you cannot find it in the student portal or Discover It!, double check the Library Catalogue, by searching for the title or author of the article/chapter/media file. 
  • If you still cannot find it, contact the Library.

How to request an item from the Library

Perform a search in Discover It

From the list of results, choose the item you wish to request. Click on the Request this item link underneath the citation of the item.

link to request form under citation

 Complete the form that appears:

 

To request multiple items, use the following instructions:

  • Search Discover It! for relevant titles.
  • Click the  icon for each title you wish to request. This places the items in a folder.
  • Select the Folder link from the top-right of the screen

  • Select E-mail from the right menu 

  • In the Comments box on the email form, you must enter your:

            name

            student number (staff enter Library barcode number)

            email address   
 
            postal address
  • In the Email To field enter tasac@cqu.edu.au
  • Please enter your email address as well if you would like to receive a copy of the email
  • Click Send

 

Via the Catalogue:

You can also request titles directly from the Library Catalogue.

Instructions on how to do this are outlined below:

  • Search the catalogue for relevant titles
  • Tick the box of each title you wish to borrow then click the Save Marked Records box at either the top or bottom of the page before moving to a new page
  • You can perform as many new searches as you wish provided you remember to save your marked records
  • When all items you wish to borrow have been marked and saved, select the tab View Marked Records at the top left hand corner of the page to retrieve the records
  • Select the Email button from the list and submit
  • Fill in the details in Section B of the form and select Send Mail