This document provides an overview of resources and strategies for research. It discusses developing an effective search strategy, evaluating information quality and relevance, and identifying relevant issues. Key resources highlighted include Summon, journal databases, subject guides, and inter-library loans. Criteria for coursework include the ability to identify issues, awareness of opposing views, evaluating issues, reference range and quality, and use of authoritative sources. The document emphasizes developing keywords and search strategies, evaluating information, and staying up to date via library services.
2. In this workshop we will look at...
• Developing an effective search strategy
• Resources available and how to use them…..now
and in the future
• Evaluating information for quality and relevance
3. Coursework marking criteria
Able to identify relevant issues
6
Awareness of opposing views, arguments and theories
Ability to assess and evaluate issues
Range and quality of references
Evidence of authoritative sources
Presentation and written English
6
6
4
3
Total: 25 marks
5. Scenario 1
I need to find reliable information on a
subject for my coursework
6. Scenario 2
I want to know about the latest
research and ideas from the experts
on a specific subject
7. Scenario 3
I am interested in a current
technology initiative in Cornwall and
need to find the facts, latest news,
plus some useful case studies
8. Scenario 4
I have an interview for a job and want
to find information about the
company and their products
9. Life after Uni
•Accessing academic information
•Using other libraries
•Careers advice
•Preparing for job interviews
•Professional associations
•Keeping up-to-date
•Online communities
•Conferences
More information: http://bit.ly/LifeafterUni
10. Scenario 5
I am creating a website and need to
make sure it complies with national
guidelines
11. Find out more
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Library Subject Guides
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/EIS
13. The real thing
BIS3328 coursework:
Literature review essay which will present some of the key
issues in either Privacy or Security, with reference to
ethical, social, professional and legal issues.
•Keywords
•Alternative keywords
•More specific keywords
•Related subjects
14. So far so good
So far we’ve looked at:
• Choosing the right resource
• Developing a search strategy
• Coming up with useful keywords
Next:
• Searching, evaluation, and looking to the future
15. Finding resources
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon
Select Summon and search for
information for your essay on
privacy and security.
16. Journal Databases
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases
Choose ‘Computing
Science’ for a list of
relevant journal
databases
17. Summon and journal databases provide:
• Access to quality information
• Information not available elsewhere
• Up-to-date
• Focussed/specific
• Full-text access
• Access on/off campus
• Personalize
• Citation and journal impact info
18. It’s not in the Library!
• Inter Library Loans http://bit.ly/InterLibraryLoans
• Sconul Access http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access
• Other libraries http://bit.ly/visitingotherlibraries
22. Coursework marking criteria
Able to identify relevant issues
6
Awareness of opposing views, arguments and theories
Ability to assess and evaluate issues
Range and quality of references
Evidence of authoritative sources
Presentation and written English
6
6
4
3
Total 25 marks
23. Library Subject Guides
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Library Subject Guides
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/eis
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/plagiarismreferencing
24. Keeping in touch
• Librarian Blog http://satlibrarian.blogspot.com
• Librarian Twitter http://twitter.com/SATlibrarian
• Library Facebook Middlesex University Library
• Library Twitter http://twitter.com/MDXLibrary
• MDX App http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/support/app/index.aspx
25. Need further help?
Your Librarian is:
Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/support/unihelp/
Hinweis der Redaktion
Welcome and intros.
How to develop an effective search strategy when you need to find information for an essay or projectThe range of resources available and how to use them to find good quality and relevant information for your essay/project……now and in the future once you leave MDXEvaluating information for quality and relevanceResearch from Uni of Huddersfield shows that correlation between library usage and good grades.
Essay demonstrates ability to identify relevant ethical, social and legal issues, pertaining to a particular topic area, case study or domain of application = 6 ie. need to find relevant books and journals etcEssay shows that the student is aware of opposing perspectives, and/or different arguments/theories in the topic area = 6 ie. need to find a balanced range of resources to get all viewpointsEssay assesses and evaluates relevant ethical and legal issues. Are professional principles applied in order to explain arguments, or recommend courses of action =6 ie. might want to speak to LDU re critical thinking etcRange and quality of references, including evidence of authoritative sources used. Use of correct referencing style, including in-text referencing = 4 ie. need to use good quality resources and reference correctlyPresentation and written English, including grammar and spelling = 3 ie. might want to speak to LDU
Books:Good overview of subject, but can be not specific enoughCan be out-of-dateEditedFurther readingJournals (also conference proceedings):Journal: up-to-date source, Focused/specific although may be too specificPeer reviewed journals good source of academic info, References/Further reading etcInternet/Wikipedia:Wikipedia: useful starting place, good for search terms, background but can’t trust info 100%...never refer to it in your workAnyone can put info on internetie. no editorial controlNewspapers:up-to-date can be biasSensationalist
Books:A written or printed work of fiction or fact. May be electronic.Overview: good for background knowledge, but not so good for detailed/specific informationEdited ie. qualityCurrency: may become out-of-date
Academic Journal:A regular publication containing articles on a particular academic subject.Presents new research.Critically Reviewed by experts.Up-to-date: published on a regular basis eg. monthlyFocussed: specialist subject areas, but can be too specificQuality: peer review…..built in quality control……lots of references to show where info came from, know who the authors are (biographies)Conference proceedings:Collection of academic papers distributed after a conference, containing the contributions made by researchers, academics etc.Up-to-date: latest research, ideas, thinking on a subjectFocussed: specialist subject areas, but can be too specificQuality: Stringent selection process for contribution to conferences
Newspaper:A regular publication containing current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising.Daily information ie. up-to-dateEdited, but can be sensationalistBias ie. unbalanced informationAccessible: current issues are readily available, but harder to get hold of back-issues. We have access to electronic back copies.Webpage:An electronic information resource which can be easily created by anyone on any topic. Up to date: can be updates quickly, but info can be out-of-dateAll subjects coveredEasy to useMobileAccuracy and reliability: no editorial control, anyone can add informationProvenance: don’t always know where the information has come from or why it has been created
Company/market research report:Well researched overview of a company or product market. Could contain future trends, financial data, competitors and SWOT analysisUp-to-date: latest research/data.Useful for job applications and interviews.Insider information: information not freely available elsewhereObjective: Outsider viewpointAccurateMagazine:A regular publication aimed at a profession, business or interest. May include news, jobs, new products, events, advertising etc.Sometimes known as trade or popular journals.Latest news: events, jobs, products etcDetail: lacks detail, but has concise infoObjectivity: can be bias, adverts, preferential products etcAvailability: easy to obtain, but often hard to get hold of old issues
Accessing academic information: once you leave you won’t be able to access our full-text e-books and e-journals, but you can still search Summon and our library catalogue and get information from other sourcesUsing other libraries: British Library and specialist libraries in LondonCareers advice: careers advice available from theUniPreparing for job interviews: we have a number of databases which you can use (before you leave) which can help you find company information to impress potential new employersProfessional associations: The Library subscribes to several online resources provided by professional organisations, which provide academic quality information. By taking out a personal subscription to a professional organisation, it is possible to maintain partial access to key information sources, as well as professional support and development.Keeping up-to-date:Journal databases:Create email alerts/RSS feeds for searches and subjects Table of Contents Alerts:Zetoc ,CituLike,TicToc Google Alerts:Google Alerts are email updates of the latest relevant Google results (web, news, etc.), based on your queries. Simply enter a subject that you wish to monitor and you will be sent regular updates. Blogs:Use Blogsearch to find blogs and blog posts for your subjectOnline communities: Online communities are a useful tool for professionals to keep up-to-date with the latest news, trends, tools, techniques, as well as sharing best practice and advice. Conferences: Attending conferences is a good way to find the latest information, make contacts with the leading authorities and vendors in the industry, as well as being an opportunity to network with your peers.More information: http://bit.ly/LifeafterUni
Standards:An agreed, often legally binding level of quality or way of doing something. Created by experts.Published in print or electronically.Regional: International, European, national, profession, industry etc eg. food industry has ‘Red tractor standard’Guidance: can provide framework or acceptable levelConfidence: ensure that product/service meets acceptable requirements/standards
More information about the range of resources available on the Library Subject Guide.
Whole group exercise:What can you see in the picture…fruitIf type ‘fruit’ into database will get millions of hits, how can you break it down ie. search for something more specific to get more manageable resultsCan you be more specific ie. Type of fruit: apples, oranges, bananas etcLocation: Stall, market, outdoor market, fruit market, BritainDetail: boxes, signs, astroturf, prices, colour of fruit, lights, pound £ signs, special offer etcPeople in background: old, young, male, female > stall holder, customers, browsers etcThink of related subjects eg. retail, commercial, financial, point-of-saleShopping, shops, fish/meat/clothes market, shopping centres, high streetTown, city, centre, British townNutrition: vits and minsAlso: Orange or Blackberry: fruit NOT telephoneApple: fruit NOT computerThinking beyond the obvious, looking for the detail that might make a difference.
Hand out worksheet.Coursework:1500-1700 words presenting some of the key issues in either privacy or security.Need to read academic literature in your chosen topic area (minimum of 2 book chapters from different books, 1 academic journal article and one internet article of your choice excluding wikipedia)Sources need to be authoritative sources recognised by experts and need to be referenced correctly in your essayNeed to present some of the key issues as discussed in the literature with reference to ethical and social issues, professional issues and legal issues.Issues should be illustrated by focussing on a particular aspect of your topic eg. a particular technology of information system in a specific context of application, or a recent case studyNeed to think about keywords:Privacy: private, secret, personal, restricted, confidential, confidentiality , individual (antonyms: general, public)Security: secure, secures, safe, safeguard, crime/sabotage/attack prevention, secureness, information security, computer security, risk management, security policy, integrity, authentication, access controlEthical: moral, integrity, accepted principles, ethically, principles of conduct, ethical codes, unethical, honourable, moral behaviour, fair, responsible, principled, correct, decent, honestSocial: society, public, Government policyProfessional: profession, vocational, occupational, expert, specialist, behavioural ethics/codes, professionalismLegal: legislation, law, lawful, legitimate licit legally, policy, freedom of information, data protection (antonyms: illegal, illigitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful)
Next……….. Searching, evaluation, and looking to the future
Need to carry out a literature search:Finding the information available on a subjectFinding information to inform, underpin and shape your researchFinding what has already been written on a subjectAnalyzing, evaluating and making judgements about the info foundIdentifying the main trendsFinding appropriate information: the information needs to be suitable for your needie. right level, current if important, sufficient breadth or detail etc
Students can also search individual databases.Select ‘Computing science’ for a list of subject specific resources.
CS £1397 IEEE Xplore £61,000 Summon £16kAccess to quality academic information eg. Peer reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings , research etcInformation not available elsewhereUp-to-dateFocussed/specific....not designed to sell you things, search results not sponsoredFull-text accessAccess on/off campusPersonalizeeg. In MyEBSCO, once signerd up you can:Save preferencesOrganise research within foldersShare foldersSave search historyCreate email alerts/Rss feeds for searches and subjectsCan provide citation and journal impact info > more info on next slide
Inter Library Loan service: request copies of books and journals not held by MDX. £3 charge. Register as DL first. More info on our website.SCONUL Access http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/The SCONUL Access Scheme provides reciprocal access and borrowing rights for staff and students to approximately 170 member institutions in the UK. Apply online.Other libraries (specialist, catalogues etc):British Library http://www.bl.uk/COPAChttp://copac.ac.uk/COPAC is a union catalogue that gives access to the merged online catalogues of members of the Consortium of University Research Libraries (CURL). Twenty major university libraries currently contribute to COPAC.Search25 http://www.search25.ac.uk/:helps you discover library resources across London and the South East. You can also see where the libraries are and find out how to visit them.SUNCAThttp://www.suncat.ac.uk/SUNCAT, a union catalogue of serials (periodicals) for the UK, is a tool for locating serials held in UK libraries.
Lee Harvey Oswald shot be Jack Ruby Nov 1963Information can be manipulated....need to make sure it is reliable.How do you decide if the information is reliable....what criteria?Hand out Criteria Game.
Hand out ‘Evaluation criteria’ game.Imagine you have searched for information for your current project. Decide what criteria you think are important, not important or very important.
Take feedback and discuss.Authority : Who is the author? What is their knowledge base/qualifications? How have they carried out their research? Relevance : Is this what I need? Will it answer my question? Is it at the right level?Intent : What is the purpose of information e.g. financial gain, propaganda, academic etc?Objectivity : Balanced view? Opposing views represented? Links to supporting information?Currency: How old is this information? When was it last updated and by whom?
Essay demonstrates ability to identify relevant ethical, social and legal issues, pertaining to a particular topic area, case study or domain of application = 6 ie. need to find relevant books and journals etcEssay shows that the student is aware of opposing perspectives, and/or different arguments/theories in the topic area = 6 ie. need to find a balanced range of resources to get all viewpointsEssay assesses and evaluates relevant ethical and legal issues. Are professional principles applied in order to explain arguments, or recommend courses of action =6 ie. might want to speak to LDU re critical thinking etcRange and quality of references, including evidence of authoritative sources used. Use of correct referencing style, including in-text referencing = 4 ie. need to use good quality resources and reference correctlyPresentation and written English, including grammar and spelling = 3 ie. might want to speak to LDU
Referencing and Plagiarism libguide includes information on how to reference material correctly.Also information about Plato, LDU support and links to helpsheets.Referencing tutorials available on request.EIS LibGuide bring together all the resources for your subject area.