Sarah Wolfenden @BSSLibrarian Social Sciences Subject Librarian

Really useful tips to make finding

information EASIER

#1: Subject guides will keep you afloat.

Go to http://www.brunel.ac.uk/services/library/subjects/ or follow the link from the library homepage to Subject Guides and choose either Politics or History. Choose the second tab along – Databases.

Clicking the title will take you to the resource. Read the blurb beneath each one to find out what’s in it and for any more log-in information.

#2. Summon your results

The Library website

“total war” AND historical change

Use the filters on the left hand side to narrow your search. Try limiting your results to journals, newspapers or by publication date. You can also search by Full Text only.

Search tips…

Identify keywords

Think of alternative terms

Link words using AND

Use OR to include alternative terms

Use truncation: histor* will find history, histories, historical etc

Use inverted commas: “inclusive citizenship”

#3. Save your time

Once you have searched for your topic, click the alert/save/share link at the top right hand side of the page. This will ensure you are notified if new articles are published which match your search. Look out for variant spellings on other databases.

Using social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs can help you keep up to date with researchers, practioners and generally what is going on in the field.

To save time, you can set up a social media dashboard to monitor lots of different sites and keep track of areas you are interested in. Go to addictomatic.com to get started.

Search for whatever topic you like. Selecting the available sources tab will let you choose which sites to keep.

The URL will change when you make your selections, creating a link to your own personal dashboard. You can then check this whenever you like.

www.academia.edu

Like Facebook – but for academics and researchers…

Google Google

Google Google

Escape the Google bubble…. log out before searching

Use DuckDuckGo.com for filter free academic searching…

Follow the research trail

#4. Follow the research trail

Use Bibliographies to guide you to further sources.

If you come across papers at other universities, try locating from Institutional Repositories.

For a list of these, see: http://www.opendoar.org/

Use your SCONUL access to visit other University libraries.

British Library: reference only, need to register: http://tinyurl.com/ydgho4e

#5. Start managing your references

Many databases will provide the reference required

Open the reference tab, then select

Harvard from the

style list.

Manage your references by using the Referencing tool in Word

Where do you find the information you need to

reference?

You may need to search for the information. If you are unable to locate a date or, especially, an author, you should reconsider the validity of the website as a source. What types of websites can you usually consider a reliable source? What should you watch out for?

What about websites?

Using RefWorks to create and manage your bibliography may help you keep on top of your information. To find Refworks; select the Researchers tab on the Library homepage.

#6.Use the support available

The Pod: drop in sessions from 1pm

‘Got a question?’ Our online question bank: http://libanswers.brunel.ac.uk/

LibChat 9.30am – 4.30pm

Ask at the Help Desk.

Email: library@brunel.ac.uk

Brunel University Library

Getting help in the Library

Each School has a dedicated Subject Liaison Librarian.

I’m yours! @BSSLibrarian

We can help you with…

Searching for information

Enquiries about library services and resources

Keeping up to date

Getting more help…

6 key tips to make finding information easier

1. Subject guides will keep you afloat. 2. Summon your results 3. Save your time 4. Follow the research trail 5. Start managing your references 6. Use the support available