Academic Information Searching: Methods, Sources and Documentation (Tech/Eng) - E (2026)
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Course name Academic Information Searching: Methods, Sources and Documentation (Tech/Eng) - E (2026)
Welcome to Academic Information Searching: Methods, Sources and Documentation (Tech/Eng) - E ...
Welcome to Academic Information Searching: Methods, Sources and Documentation (Tech/Eng) - E 2026
Description: Structure, organisation, documentation, systematic searching and screening in relation to information searching are keywords for this course.
The objective of this course is to provide an understanding of the various aspects that are important when searching for literature as part of your PhD.
The course covers these areas:
- Structured literature search – How to apply a structured method to prepare and carry out your search e.g. for a literature review
- Evaluating and organising your search - How to prepare and apply relevant criteria for assessing and documenting the search results. How screening and reference management tools can facilitate the process of organising search results
- Other perspectives on searching – How to use text mining, citation search and other tools to find relevant literature
The course is a “toolbox for research”-course.
Please note that this course is aimed at students from ENG, TECH and SSH. We offer a different course particularly aimed at students from the health sciences.
Prerequisites: None in particular. We recommend that you take this course in the beginning of your PhD.
Learning objectives: Theoretical and practical knowledge of how to construct and perform a structured subject search for information in relevant scholarly databases and how to prepare and apply relevant criteria for assessing and documenting the search results. Theoretical knowledge of how screening and reference management tools can facilitate the process of organising search results . And how to use AI-tools as a supplementary tool for searching and how citations can form the basis of additional ways of searching.
Teaching methods: A mix of lectures and hands-on activities, either individually focusing on your own PhD-project or in small groups with a shared focus.
Criteria for assessment: Attendance during the course day and a home assignment (pass/no-pass).
Preparation prior to the course: You are required to read the articles on the course reading list. The reading list is accessible on Moodle shortly after the course registration deadline.
Coffee/tea: There will be coffee and tea during the day. You will have to bring your own lunch. Alternatively, you can buy food at the canteen.
Course language: English
Organisers: Louise Thomsen, M.Li.Sc. e-mail: lt@aub.aau.dk
Lecturers: Helle Brink, M.Li.Sc. e-mail: hb@aub.aau.dk, Gitte Thomsen M.Li.Sc. e-mail: gt@aub.aau.dk and Louise Thomsen, M.Li.Sc. e-mail: lt@aub.aau.dk
ECTS: 1.0
Time: 18. November 2026 from 9.00-15.00
Place: Room Einstein, Aalborg University Library, Kroghstræde 3
Zip code: 9220
City: Aalborg
Number of seats: 20
Open for enrolment: 18. July 2026
Deadline for enrolment: 28. October 2026
Important information concerning PhD courses: There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.For external PhD students: This course is a general course and is prioritized for PhD Students enrolled at Aalborg University. If there are available seats, PhD students from other universities will be accepted. You will be notified shortly after the deadline if you have been accepted.To attend courses at the Doctoral School in Medicine, Biomedical Science and Technology you must be enrolled as a PhD student.We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.You may find more information in our FAQ: https://phd.moodle.aau.dk/local/page/faq For inquiries not described in the FAQ, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk. When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.