Information skills for research

http:// unihub.mdx.ac.uk / study / library

BIS3328 Oct/Nov 2013

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

Coursework marking criteria

Able to identify relevant issues

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

66

6

4

3

Total: 25 marks

Thinking about resources

Scenario 1

I need to find reliable information on a subject for my coursework

Scenario 2

I want to know about the latest research and ideas from the experts

on a specific subject

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

Scenario 4

I have an interview for a job and want to find information about the company and their products

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

Scenario 5

I am creating a website and need to make sure it complies with national

guidelines

Find out moreMyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Library Subject Guides

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/EIS

Thinking about keywords

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossjamesparker/89414788/

The real thingBIS3328 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

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

Finding resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon

Select Summon and search for information for your essay on privacy and security.

Journal DatabasesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases

Choose ‘Computing Science’ for a list of relevant journal databases

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

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

Is it reliable?

• Authority

• Relevance

• Intent

• Objectivity

• Currency

Evaluating information

Coursework marking criteria

Able to identify relevant issues

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

66

6

4

3

Total 25 marks

Library Subject GuidesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Library Subject Guides

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/plagiarismreferencing

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/eis

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

Need further help?

Your Librarian is:

Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/support/unihelp/