Clarifying the assignment
Your search for information often begins with an assignment. It is important to get a clear idea of this assignment: what exactly is required and what results are expected?
You should therefore first identify the purpose of the information (information requirement) and determine the scope of the assignment. This enables you to quickly determine how general or in-depth your search will be. The following points could be considered in this:
- Within what context are you searching for information?
- Are you working on a large-scale research project or do you have to look up something as part of your internship?
- What are the learning aims of the assignment?
- Is the objective to carry out a thorough literature search or are you simply acquainting yourself with the subject?
- What are the assessment criteria? What requirements are set for your research?
- This could mean, for example, requirements concerning the use of sources. .
- What is your target audience [should the objective be publication]?
- Are you writing for academics or high school students? Are they familiar with the field or not?
- How extensive should your research report be?
- A detailed report requires you to conduct more in-depth research than a global report does.
- How much time do you have and which resources are at your disposal?
- Do you need to submit a report within three weeks, or do you have three months to write it? Which resources can you access?
