Digging, delving and drilling down for that elusive information to create 20,000 fascinating words? If so, for reliable and specific research, you’re going to have to go beyond Google and start digging in databases.

As librarians, we usually advise a search of the library catalogue first. Drilling down to the next level, the British Education Index and ERIC are always  good bets for uncovering journal articles and conference reports. Going even deeper for education-based research, you might need to delve into more specialist databases and guides at http://www.ioe.ac.uk/services/567.html  and http://www.ioe.ac.uk/services/23494.html.

If you’re searching for education issues in a particular region of the world, try diving into seven regional and international website listings and a guide, Researching international and comparative education topics, at http://www.ioe.ac.uk/services/344.html.

As I’ve started my own dissertation research, I wish all those dissertation doers out there  happy digging!