Where to search
What type of sources do you need?
The first step in searching for information is to identify and analyze your information need. Based on this, you can then go on and choose which databases to use. It is also useful to have an idea of the scope of your information needs - how many sources do you need?
In what way can you limit your search query? We choose different sources to answer different kinds of questions. In this course we focus on the information needs you have in your studies. But even within your studies you need to use different kind of information sources.
When you are writing your degree project, selecting appropriate written sources is crucial. Varying sources are suitable for different types of questions and information needs. For current information, seek sources updated frequently. For foundational knowledge, look for sources presenting information at your level of understanding. General sources like Wikipedia or textbooks are useful for introductory facts, while specialized textbooks and scientific literature provide more in-depth information and research results. Since interpretations and information may vary across sources, it's often necessary to consult multiple sources, evaluating and synthesizing them to grasp the broader picture of research.
Chatbots based on generative AI can be useful to brainstorm and explore various aspects of a topic. Since they sometimes hallucinate and in general don't provide sources for the information they present, they are not suitable for information searching in an academic context. You can read more about AI tools and information retrieval on the library's website.
Search tools |
Type of source |
| Everything on the open web/websites and reports from companies, organisations and governmental agencies | |
| The library search tool | Books, scientific articles, conference proceedings, printed reports, dissertations |
| Scientific databases | Scientific articles, conference proceedings |
| Google Scholar | Scientific articles, dissertations, student theses, manuscripts that are not peer reviewed (pre-prints) |
| Swepub & DiVA | Dissertations, student theses |
| Retriever Mediearkivet | Articles from newspapers and magazines |
| SIS abonnemang (Swedish institute for standards) | Standards |
Accessing Resources
As a KTH student or researcher you can access all the resources that KTH has subscriptions to. That includes e-books, databases, journals and aticles. All you have to do is to log in with your KTH credentials. Learn more about how to do it in this video. Sometimes access problems can be due to technical problems. Read more about access to electronic materials.
View video with transcript in KTH Play
Download LibKey Nomad
To access materials for which KTH has subscriptions, without going through the KTH Library web page, download the web browser extension LibKey Nomad. Read more about LibKey Nomad and download it to your device.