BiblioCompass: a guide to bibliographic search and library services for Agricultural Sciences 2025-2026
Schema della sezione
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This course aims to provide some guidelines for conducting bibliographic research: from the retrieval of documents to the drafting of a written paper. It intends to develop the so-called information skills, known as Information Literacy, that is the ability to identify, evaluate, organize and use information, which in a broad sense represent an indispensable requirement for navigating effectively in the information society. It is aimed at students of the three-year and master's degree courses of the School of Agriculture. It consists of 8 modules with a final test. Each module can also be used separately. In addition, there is an in-depth section with some bibliographical references for the drafting of scientific papers and final theses.
To illustrate the paths of information research and the use of sources, in order to make library users independent in the use of resources, through knowledge development and skills acquisition.
Content processing
The course has been written by the librarians of the Science Library and partially adapted for the students of the School of Agriculture by the librarians of the Library of Technological Sciences.
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A reflection to begin with
Have you received from the supervisor the task of writing a report, an essay, drafting a document, or are you starting to work for the thesis?
Do you need to look for information on a topic that is close to your heart?
An initial reflection is essential. It helps to clarify ideas, to optimize time and energy, which are precious resources for successful research.
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Sources of information
There are many types of sources for retrieving useful information.
The choice of the source to use depends on some variables, in particular on the answers to some of the questions we asked ourselves in the beginning:
- What is the purpose of this search?
- How much time do I have at disposal?
- What do I already know about this topic?
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University of Florence's libraries
To access sources of information, Florence University Libraries are your point of reference, thanks to all the tools made available to you: collections, portals, catalogs, specialized periodicals in paper and digital format, thematic databases .
The University Library System (SBA) is the set of library and documentation structures, resources and library services of the University of Florence and is made up of 5 libraries divided by subject area (Biomedical, Science, Social Sciences, Technological Sciences , Humanities) integrated with each other and with the libraries of the universities of Pisa and Siena.
The SBA also cooperates with the municipal libraries of Tuscany and with other Italian and foreign libraries for the interlibrary loan service and the supply of articles (ILL-DD service).
The University Library System Regulations govern the organization and functioning of the structure.
On the following pages you can find information on:
Resources (catalog, collections, archives, etc.);
Services (reading, loan, courses, research assistance, etc.);
Events, Exhibitions and Special Collections (archive of events and initiatives, virtual exhibitions, publications, etc.).
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In this module you will learn:
- the difference between basic and advanced search
- Some search strategies that will be useful for your search within catalogs and databases
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In this module you will learn how to search on Onesearch and on disciplinary databases.
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In this section you will learn:
- what are the mechanisms underlying the functioning of Google
- possible tricks to optimize your search
- search and functions in Google Scholar
- what are the mechanisms underlying the functioning of Google
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In this section you will learn how to:
select the results obtained from a search
evaluate the reliability and truthfulness of the recovered documents
evaluate a resource on the web
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In this section you will learn how to:
draw up a text with a correct set of notes and bibliographic citations
cite the contributions of others in compliance with copyright
compile a bibliography, even with the use of special software (RMS)