VOCEDplus help > Resource types FAQs

• What is a resource type?
• What are the resource types used in VOCEDplus and why are they 'new'?
• Which are the research-based resource types?
• Which are the more descriptive resource types?
• What is a 'government' publication i.e., Government information or Government report or paper?
• Why are publications of some government-funded bodies such as NCVER not classified as Government report or paper?
• How do I search using resource types?

 Q: What is a resource type?

All publications described in VOCEDplus are assigned a 'publication' or resource type to identify the nature of their content. Only one resource type can be applied to each publication.

 Q: What are the resource types used in VOCEDplus and why are they 'new'?

The VOCEDplus database now has a very large dataset and continues to grow by around 3000 items annually. To make it easier to identify content in VOCEDplus, the original resource type framework has been updated. For example, you’ll be able to distinguish entries for individual conference papers from those of conference proceedings, identify government publications and filter research-based reports and papers from more general, descriptive publications. In the updated framework, some of the resource types are from the original framework and some are updated or completely new.

Click here to view the new Resource type framework and a description of the content that each resource type covers.

 Q: Which are the research-based resource types?

• Article
• Book chapter
• Conference paper
• Edited book
• Government report or paper
• Report, paper or authored book
• Thesis

 Q: Which are the more descriptive resource types?

• Conference
• Country information
• General publication
• Government information
• Guide
• Industry information
• Journal
• Journal issue
• Teaching and training material

NOTE: The resource type Statistical series sits between these two groups as it encompasses a mixture of research-based (reports of regular/recurring statistical collections or surveys) and descriptive content (their guidelines and related documentation).

 Q: What is a 'government' publication i.e., Government information or Government report or paper?

Government publications are documents authored, commissioned, or published by government, which includes government departments and ministers as well as bodies that play a statutory role.

NOTE: For some government publications, another resource type takes precedence because of the nature of their content:

• Regular statistical publications, even if published by a government body, are classified as Statistical series.
• Teaching and training materials, even if published by a government body, are classified as Teaching and training material.
• Environmental scans and other specific industry related documents that profile or provide an overview of an industry, even if published by a government body, are classified as Industry information.

 Q: Why are publications of some government-funded bodies such as NCVER not classified as Government report or paper?

Publications of independent, government funded bodies that do not play a statutory role are not considered government publications.

 Q: How do I search using resource types?

Resource types can be used to enhance your search results in two ways:

1. Build them into your 'Expert Search' query - to include and/or exclude certain types of content; and
2. Apply the Resource type filter to the search results to limit your results to a particular resource type.

For further information on using the 'Expert Search' and filtering search results, view the user guides and FAQs on the Help page.