Skip to main content

Information retrieval

Skills of information retrieval are essential part of studying and provide readiness for working life and lifelong learning. Good information retrieval and acquisition skills require personal skills in data management and critical thinking.

Information retrieval can be divided into simple and systematic types. Quick and simple retrieval can mean for instance finding a certain standard but for a thesis one must perform planned and systematic searches from various sources.

Beginning to retrieve information

You can begin for instance from Alli collection database in which you can find data of printed collections and the e-books of the libraries at the Otaniemi campus. Electronic journals, other e-materials and various databases can be accessed via Nelli information retrieval portal. In Nelli you can search multiple database simultaneously. All electronic information sources provided by the Aalto University Otaniemi Campus Library can be searched via Nelli. With "My Space" service you can create your own virtual book shelf and resource groups.

Links to the most important databases are at the right top of this page. You can view more detailed introductions to the portal and databases of the library from links on the left.

Guidance

  • Selection guide clarifies the suitability of the databases of the library for different kind of information retrieval.
  • Brief guide to finding publications and information describes how various kind of printed and electronic publications, such as articles, books and theses, can be found, and how to act if one is searching by a subject matter or searching for certain factual data.
  • Information specialists are there for you to advice various questions on information retrieval.
  • Instruction: The library arranges instruction to improve skills of information retrieval.

Quick searches

There are quick searches to Alli and Nelli for rapid information retrieval and checking on the front page of the WWW pages of the library.