Literature Research for Beginners – The Basics & An Introduction to AI
What is it about?
Thousands of results on Google, but nothing really useful for your own work? A targeted search makes all the difference between frustration and quick success.
In this course, you’ll learn basic research strategies and discover how to make effective use of the Freiberg University Library catalogue (OPAC), Google Scholar and specialist databases. Using the Scopus database, we’ll carry out an initial search together. With Boolean operators, truncation and phrase searching, you’ll gain the tools you need to achieve precise results.
This way, you’ll find relevant literature in a targeted manner, rather than having to sift through countless results. In addition, we’ll give you an overview of the latest AI tools for literature searches and show you how to recognise ‘hallucinations’ and evaluate sources reliably.
Contents
- Fundamentals of academic research and search strategies
- Freiberg University Library catalogue (OPAC), Google Scholar vs. subject-specific databases; Initial search in Scopus
- Boolean operators, truncation, phrase search
- AI tools for research: Overview and hallucination check
- Evaluating sources – traditional and AI-generated
Links and further information
- Meeting point: Circulation Desk/Information, 1st floor
- Online: Link to join
- Next session: Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 11.30 am – 1.00 pm, in English
No prior knowledge required.
Can be integrated directly into the faculties’ courses on request (schulungen [at] ub [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de).
