This document provides guidance on finding information and inspiration for a product design course. It outlines several library resources for research, including the library search tool and Google Scholar. Students are instructed to choose a resource, present on what it is and its features/limitations, and how they could use it in their studies. The document also discusses evaluating information sources based on their authority, relevance, intent, objectivity, and currency. It notes some red flags to watch out for, like bias, lack of evidence or expertise. Overall, the document aims to introduce students to researching tools in the library and teach skills for critically assessing sources.
4.16.24 21st Century Movements for Black Lives.pptx
PDF 1st year session 3 Nov 2018
1. Finding information and Inspiration
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/library
BA/BSc Product Design Nov 2018
2. Today we will look at..
• Finding information and inspiration
• Evaluating information
3. More to life than Google
• Explore the resources you have been given
• Choose your favourite
• Prepare a short presentation
• Include:
• What is it?
• Useful/interesting features
• Limitations
• How you could use this resource in your studies
5. Sign-in to Library Search for full
functionality
Click on ‘Sign-in’,
choose ‘Middlesex
University’ and use
your MyUniHub ID
and password.
Signing-in enables you to access
full text material, check your
library record, request items,
create lists, save searches and
create alerts and export
references to RefWorks.
7. Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.co.uk/
You may be
able to access
the full-text
here
Refine your
search
results here
Create an
alert for your
search, so
you can
keep up-to-
date with
new
publications
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/Internet
8. Evaluating information
Imagine you are writing an essay on Robots
Have a look at the 4 items that you have been given and
consider the following:
• Which item is the most relevant to your essay?
• Which item would be no use?
• Which item has the most academic authority?
• Are any of the items biased?
• Which item is the most current?
11. Need further help?
Your Librarian is:
Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/Help
Hinweis der Redaktion
Welcome
Intros
Lots of group work etc
Finding information: different resources
Evaluating information
There are loads of really good sources of information out there.
Accessing resources
Click on MyStudy.
You can now access library resources from the MyLibrary box……detail on next page.
Find journal articles, theses, books, and more, from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities and other web sites.
Search across many disciplines
Locate the full-text document through your library or on the web
Keep up with recent developments in any area of research
Save items in a personal library
We’ve looked at the fun resources, now we’re going to look at more traditional resources……
Divide class into group and hand out worksheet and 4x items.
Discuss. No right or wrong answers. All items found by doing a search on Robots.
Which item is most relevant:
Journal Article: specialist journal of robots and robotics
Book: broad overview of robots and robotology
Website
Which item would be no use:
Newspaper Article from the Sun
Website
Which item has the most academic authority:
Journal Article: peer-reviewed, citations and ref list, biography of authors, etc
Book: author has some academic authority (back cover blurb)
Are any of the items bias:
Newspaper article could be depending on the subject
Websites can also show bias if created for specific purpose
Also be aware of trade journals that have adverts
Which item is the most current:
Journal article: Dec 2009
Book: 1984
Newspaper article: Nov 2004
Website: Jan 2016
Would need to continue search.
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?
Source Find out more about the site, what is their mission, can you contact them.
Author Is the author credible, what can you find out about them, do they actually exist.
Date Check the date. Is this an old post that has been reposted? Is it relevant.
Bias What prejudices are you bringing to the post? Is it pandering to your beliefs and fuelling them?
Headlines Don’t believe the headlines as often they are being sensationalised to draw you in.
Evidence Is the information based on sound evidence? Can you see where the ‘author’ gets their info from.
Joke Consider if the news is satire?
Expert If in doubt ask an expert or consult a fact-checking website.