The document provides guidance to students on finding resources for assignments, including describing different types of resources such as books, journals, and websites; demonstrating how to search the university's Summon discovery tool; and emphasizing the importance of evaluating sources based on criteria like currency, authority, relevance, and purpose as well as properly citing references. It aims to equip students with skills for effectively searching for and assessing information to complete their coursework.

1. Finding
resources
for your
assignments
BSc Veterinary Nursing October 2014

2. Housekeeping
• How’s it going?
• Can you find the books
on your reading lists?
• Can you renew and
reserve books?
• Do you know who to
contact for help?
• Library Subject Guides?

3. Today we are going to cover...
• Different types of resources for your studies
• Searching effectively for books and journal
articles
• Evaluating information
• Using information ethically (citing and
referencing)

4. Where’s the evidence?

5. Types of information
Task 1:
1. Each group will be given a pack of cards
2. The cards contain the names of 5 different
resources
3. Match together the correct: Resource Type +
Definition+ “Good for” + “Not so good for”
Time: 5 mins

12. 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

13. Web pages
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

14. Newspapers
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

15. Journals
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

16. 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.

17. Starting your search

18. Finding resources
myUniHub > My Study > My Library
Access all sorts of
resources from here

19. Summon
Searches journals,
books and more
Good starting point
for your research
Covers ALL subjects
taught at the
university

20. VET1607 assignment
In- course assignment brief: VET 1607
You must cover ALL of these learning objectives in order to pass this assignment.
Explain basic cellular structure and tissue organisation within the mammalian body.
Describe structure and function of the main mammalian body systems to include:
– Gastrointestinal tract
A rabbit has been brought to the surgery suffering from ileus (a condition which
causes the peristaltic motion of the intestine to cease).
• Describe the features of the gastrointestinal system of the rabbit from mouth to
anus.
• Name the exocrine secretions in the lagomorph intestinal tract and explain their
function.

21. Keywords - What are the main things
we need to find information on?
• Rabbits
• Mammals
• Small animals
• Gastrointestinal system
• Digestive system
• Ileus
• Gastrointestinal
conditions
• Gastrointestinal
problems
• Anatomy & Physiology
Be broad / be narrow
Any synonyms or
alternative words?

22. Task 2
• Use Summon and work through the basic
example on the handout
• Then try searching for some information on
your assignment topic

23. Library Subject Guides

24. • Keep it simple!
• Experiment with different words and
concepts, remember different spellings and
terminology
• Think about the limits – date? Type of
resource? Subject area?
A few search tips

25. If you have too many
results
If you don’t have
enough results
- Add more keywords
(narrow it down)
- Be more specific
(e.g. labrador vs.
dog)
- Use phrases e.g.
“infection control”
- Add limits, e.g. date
- Use synonyms (e.g.
feline or cat)
- Be less specific
- Split the question up
into simple concepts
/ words
- Try variations of
words e.g.
nurse/nurses/nursing
A few search tips

26. But is it any good?
Is it what you need and is it trustworthy?
What criteria would you use to assess the
relevance and quality of the information?

27. The C A R P test

28. C A R P
• Currency - How old is the information? When
was it last updated?
• Authority - Who is the author / creator? What
is their background?
Is the article published in a scholarly/peer
reviewed journal?
• Relevance - Is this what I need? Will it answer
my question? Is it at an appropriate level?
• Purpose - What is the purpose of the
information e.g. financial gain, propaganda,
academic research, etc.

29. Task 3
• Work in groups
• 4 resources and evaluation sheet
• For each resource, decide as a group if it
meets the criteria.
• No need to read the whole thing!

30. Referencing – Task 4
• Is very important
• Acknowledges other people’s work (avoids
plagiarism)
• Shows you’ve read around the subject
• Supports your discussion and arguments
• Gets you better marks!
• Enables others to find your references

31. Referencing – style guide

32. On the front page of the VN guide...

33. Need help?
• Librarians in the Study Hub (1st floor) during
core hours Monday – Friday
• Ask a Librarian http://askalibrarian.mdx.ac.uk/
• Veterinary Nursing Library Subject Guide
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/veterinarynursing