Clarify assignment

Your search for information often begins with an assignment. It is important to make that assignment clear to yourself: what exactly is the purpose and what result is expected?

So first you look at what you need information for (information needs) and what the frameworks are. This allows you to quickly determine how global or in-depth you are going to search. Consider the following points:

What is the context in which you are looking for information?

Are you working on a major research project or do you need to look something up for an internship assignment?

What are the learning objectives for the assignment?

Is the goal to be able to conduct a thorough (literature) research or is it about getting acquainted with a subject?

What will you be assessed on? What are the requirements for your research?

This could include requirements for the use of sources.

What is your target audience [if publication is the goal]?

Are you writing for academics or high school students? Are they peers or not?

How comprehensive should your research paper be?

For a detailed report, you will do more in-depth research than for a short report.

How much time and what resources do you have?

Do you have to submit a report within three weeks or do you have three months? What sources do you have access to?