Reading lists

What is a reading list?

Items on a reading list may be electronic (online) or in print format. The first place to check is Electronic Readings or e-readings.

• understand whether the items in a reading list are books, book chapters, journal articles, or websites by identifying the various parts of references
• find the items in your reading lists

Once you've completed this module, you may want to use it again when you have your own subject outlines and reading lists.

Understanding different reference types

Books

Let's look at an example of a book reference from a reading list.

All the parts of the reference have been identified below. The parts of the reference that help you understand this is a book are the place of publication and the publisher.

Activity 1: Here is another book reference. 1. Identify the Title of the book Authors Publisher Date and place of publication 2. How do you know this reference is for a book and not for some other type of reference, such as a journal? Click here to see the answers.

Book chapters

Some books are made up of a collection of chapters written by different authors. The book itself is put together by an editor or group of editors.

Here is an example of a book chapter reference from a reading list.

All the parts of the reference have been identified below. The parts of the reference that help you understand this is a book chapter are the word in; followed by the editors and the title of the whole book.

Activity 2: Let's look at another example of a book chapter reference. 1. Identify the Author of the chapter Title of the chapter Title of the book Editors of the book Publisher Date and place of publication 2. How do you know this reference is for a book chapter? Click here to see the answers.

Journal Articles

Reading lists often have references to journal articles because they are more up-to-date than books. Journals (also known as serials, magazines or periodicals) are a good source of current information and are often the place where research is first published. Journals are ongoing publications. Each new issue of a journal contains new articles and can be identified by a volume and/or issue number.

Here is an example of a journal article reference from a reading list.

All the parts of the reference have been identified below. The parts of the reference that help you understand this is a journal article are the volume number, the issue number or month, and the page numbers.

Activity 3: Look at the following example of a journal article reference. 1. Identify the Author of the article Title of the article Title of the journal Volume, issue, and page numbers of the article 2. How do you know this reference is for a journal article? Click here to see the answers.

Websites

Sometimes your reading lists will have references to particular websites as they are another way of publishing information. It is helpful to know the main parts of a website reference including the web address and the date that the website was accessed.

Here is an example of a website reference from a reading list.

All the parts of the reference have been identified below. The parts of the reference that help you understand this is a website are the web address or URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the format [Online], and the date that the document was accessed.

Now let's look at how to find items like these.

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Finding items on reading lists

Items on a reading list may be electronic (online) or in print format. The first place to check is Electronic Readings or e-readings.

Electronic Readings (e-readings) can include:

• Journal articles
• Book chapters
• Past exam papers
• Lecture notes

The second place to check is Short Loans to find print resources and these can include:

• Textbooks
• Other recommended books
• Lecture notes

Let’s look at how to find them. View the demonstration or download the pdf.

Note: If you are studying at UoW in Dubai you can also use an alternate way to access electronic readings.

Locating other items on your reading list

Irrespective on your study location, there are two ways to find a print item from your reading list.

1. Your local library has a Short Loans Collection. Write down the call number and ask for the item at the Short Loans Collection. Short Loans Collections have shorter borrowing periods than the main collection
   
   
   

   If you are studying at UoW in Dubai use the Closed Reserve Section to find prescribed texts and current subject readings.

   
   
   
2. Your local library does not have a Short Loans collection. You will need to use your local library catalogue to find out if the required items are held by the library

Using a library catalogue to find items not held in a Short Loans collection

Books

Using your local library catalogue to search for these. Catalogues may look different but they usually work the same way. Search your local library to find other items on your reading list. Below are two examples of library catalogues. Choose one example to see how it works.

Finding specific items when you know the title or the author

• Australia: View demonstration or download pdf.
• Dubai

Journals

All electronic (online) journals are available to UOW students irrespective of their location. Some local libraries will have print (hardcopy) journal collections. Check your local library to see if it has print journals and how you can search for these. Lets look at how to locate an online journal article when you have a journal citation:

• Australia: View demonstration or download pdf.
• Dubai

Finding materials on the library shelves

Once you have searched on a library catalogue you will need to find material in the library. Most libraries use a similar system. Check your local library to find out what system they use to find materials. Books are usually given a call number. The call number helps you to find the book in the library. Below are two examples of call numbers. Choose one example and click on the link to find more information about using call numbers.

You have finished Module 2. You are now ready to move on to Module 3 Finding more information.