2. In this workshop we will look at..
• Range of resources
• Search strategy
• Finding information
• Evaluating
3. Coursework Marking Criteria
The report will be assessed against the following criteria:
• Relevance and accuracy of information, based on factual evidence, and supported by
quantitative data
• Evidence of research and background reading
• Range and quality of references and information sources
• Understanding and application of key module concepts, theories and models
• Depth and thoughtfulness of analysis
• Adherence to report format and structure requirements [including layout and design]
• Simplicity and consistency of design and layout
• Appropriate use of original tables, charts, diagrams and models
• Standard of written English, including spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Correct referencing of all sources cited in the report, in the reference list [using
Harvard]; correct use of in-text referencing
5. Books
What are they:
A written or printed work of fiction or fact.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Clear overview.
Not so good for:
Up to date information.
6. Web page
What are they:
An information resource which can be easily created by
anyone on any topic.
Electronic.
Good for:
Very up to date information.
Not so good for:
Accurate and reliable information.
7. Newspaper
What are they:
A regular publication containing current events,
informative articles, diverse features and advertising.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Daily information.
Not so good for:
Balanced and well researched information.
8. Journal
What are they:
A regular publication containing articles on a particular
academic subject.
Presents new research.
Good for:
Latest research, critically reviewed by experts.
Not so good for:
Broad overview of a subject.
9. Popular (trade) journal
What are they:
A regular publication containing new products plus
information for a business sector.
Good for:
Latest product news.
Not so good for:
Detailed and objective reports.
16. Not everything is online!
http://www.slideshare.net/EISLibrarian/library-catalogue-how-to-request-a-book-general
17. Google vs Summon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuiislife/3450743002/
Google
• Familiar and easy to use
• Finds too much information
• Fast results
• Access from any computer
• Access to some books and journals
• Designed to sell you things
• Search results sponsored
• Searches for info from any source
• Pay for academic information
Summon
• Easy to use
• Finds lots of academic info
• Fast results
• Access from any computer
• Access to lots of books and journals
• Designed to find you information
• Search results by relevance
• Searches quality resources
• Free access to full text
18. Company information
Find out about companies, market
sectors, industry and country profiles,
and consumer trends:
•Business Source Complete
•Passport
•Keynote
Find out more:
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/computing/CareersVacanciesInterviews
19. Get online help using resources
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > MySubject> Science & Technology
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/computing
20. Referencing and Plagiarism
My Library > MySubject > Science & Technology > Computing >
Information Skills > Referencing and Citation
22. Evaluating information
Imagine you are writing an essay on ‘Network Security’.
Have a look at the 4 items that you have been given and
consider the following:
• Which items are the most relevant to your essay?
• Which items would be no use?
• Which item has the most academic authority?
• Which items might have bias?
• Which item is the most current?
The range of resources we provide
The value of resources in an academic context
How to select the appropriate resources
Develop an effective search strategy eg. Identify keywords, refining your search
How to find and access books, journals and information for your projects using the Library Catalogue, and other resources, as well as finding books in the library and from other sources.
Evaluating the information for quality and relevance
BIS1100: Group Report Marking Criteria
See marking criteria handout.
Hand out exercise Thinking about resources.
Groups
10 mins
Feedback (see next slides)
Good for:
broad/general overview of subject
Edited for quality and accuracy
Not so good for:
May not be specific enough
Can be out of date
Good for:
Easy to use/search
All subjects covered
Can be very up-to-date
Mobile
Not so good for:
No editorial control
Unreliable sources
Can be created by anyone
Material can lack provenance
Can be out-of-date
Not everyone has access
Good for:
Up-to-date
Edited
Readily available (latest copies especially)
Not so good for:
Can be bias
Can be unbalanced
Can be sensationalist
Hard to get hold of/access (back issues)
Good for:
Up-to-date
Specialist/focussed
Present latest research
Edited for accuracy/quality (peer reviewed)
Lots of references
Not so good for:
Can be hard to locate/access
Expensive
May be too specific
May be at wrong level
Good for:
Latest information
Current events
Concise info
Product news
Often available online with RSS/Twitter etc
Not so good for:
Detail
Objective information ie. can be bias, adverts, preferential products etc
Often hard to find old issues
Back issues/archive
Contain:
Essential and recommended texts for your module
E-resources where available
Access from MyLearning or from this URL
More information about the range of resources available on the Library Subject Guide plus lots of useful online guides eg. how to search for information for your project.
Whole group: What can you see in the picture? ie. fruit
If you 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 results
Can you be more specific ie.
Type of fruit: apples, oranges, bananas etc
Location: Stall, market, outdoor market, fruit market, Britain
Detail: boxes, signs, astroturf, prices, colour of fruit, lights, pound £ signs, special offer etc
People in background: old, young, male, female > stall holder, customers, browsers etc
Think of related subjects eg.
retail, commercial, financial, point-of-sale
Shopping, shops, fish/meat/clothes market, shopping centres, high street
Town, city, centre, British town
Nutrition: vits and mins
Also which fruits have a double meaning (technical/computer sense)?:
Orange, Apple, Blackberry, Raspberry.
Use refining tools on databases or search tips to exclude what you don’t want.
Thinking beyond the obvious, looking for the detail that might make a difference.
Hand out worksheet.
Need to carry out a literature review:
Finding the information available on a subject
Finding information to inform, underpin and shape your research
Finding what has already been written on a subject
Analyzing, evaluating and making judgements about the info found
Identifying the main trends
Finding appropriate information: the information needs to be suitable for your need ie. right level, current if important, sufficient breadth or detail etc
Explain to students what Summon is.
Go to UniHub > Login in to MyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon
Ask students to search for information for their project.
Remember to use some of the keywords that we have discussed.
Show the students how to refine their search using:
FT
Content type
Subject terms
Publication date
Language etc
Have another go.
Google
Familiar and easy to use
Finds too much information
Fast results
Access from any computer
Access to some books and journals
Designed to sell you things eg. shoes
Search results sponsored…no accident that Wikipedia, Amazon etc at top of search results
Searches for info from any source
Pay for academic information
Summon
Easy to use
Finds lots of academic info
Fast results
Access from any computer
Access to lots of books and journals
Designed to find you information: up-to-date, focussed/specific
Search results by relevance
Searches quality resources eg. Peer reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings , research etc
Free access to full text ie. Information not freely available elsewhere
BSC: Industry profiles, company reports and overviews of a market sector. Plus SWOT analysis.
Passport: International market information including industry/company overviews, consumer trends and surveys.
Keynote: Industry and market research reports on companies and market sectors.
Lots of useful online guides eg.
How to find books
How to find information for your project
Accessing journal databases
etc
Referencing and Plagiarism libguide includes information on how to reference material correctly.
Also information about Plato, LDU support and links to helpsheets.
Don’t forget: Computing LibGuide bring together all the resources for your subject area.
Introduce the importance of evaluating information for quality
What do you think about this quote by Abraham Lincoln?
Divide class into group
Hand out worksheet and 4x items.
Discuss. No right or wrong answers. All items found by doing a search on Network Security.
Which items are most relevant:
Academic journal and Wiki most relevant.
Newspaper article is sensationalist and trade journal is a review of software.
Which items would be no use:
Newspaper article useless, and trade journal probably not unless needed to know about software packages.
Which item has the most academic authority:
Academic journal. It has biography of authors, references, in-text citations and uses academic language. Article has been peer reviewed.
Wikipedia has refs, but don’t know who has added information.
Are any of the items bias:
Newspaper
Trade journal is reviewing software and may be swayed by advertisers.
Which item is the most current:
Wikipedia
Academic journal is very out-of-date 2004
Would not use any of them and would continue search. Discuss the importance of evaluating the information that you find.
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?
