what today’s session will cover: research strategy: 5 stages finding information on the library...
TRANSCRIPT
Research Skills
by Nancy Stokes
What today’s session will cover:Research Strategy: 5 stagesFinding information on the library website:
selected websites, ebooks, subject guidesSearching the library catalogue
books , journals, DVDsSearching an online database: EbscohostOnline searching tipsEvaluating information from the Web
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What are the 5 Stages?
1.Understand
question or topic
Research Strategy
Cycle
2.Search for
information
WriteFinal Essay
4.Evaluate the information
5.Reference your
information
3.Expand search
boundaries
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Understand the topic:- identify the keywords and other search terms
“Discuss the importance of choosing a suitable site when planning an event.”
location
venue
organising
arranging
function
conference
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Identify the concepts and search terms…Discuss the importance of choosing a suitable site when planning an event.
Concept 1 Concept 2 Concept 3
site planning event
or or or
venue organising function
or or or
location arranging conference
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Finding Information on Library Website
www.central.wa.edu.au/library
Library Homepage www.central.wa.edu.au/library
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Library Website Search
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Library Website Search: Events Page
ebooksweb
site
s
Login to eBooks using your Student Network Login
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eBooks: See Help Sheet for Options
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Searching Library Catalogue
www.central.wa.edu.au/library
Library Catalogue Search
Library Catalogue Search
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Library Catalogue Search Page
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Library Catalogue Search
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Bibl
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Searching Online Databases
www.central.wa.edu.au/library
Library Homepage
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Library Website Search
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04+student number date of birth
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Choose Databases
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Database Search Page
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Database Search Results
Online Search Tips
Online searching tips…Boolean Operators
AND (+): limits the search as both keywords must appear in the documenthazards AND events
OR: expands the search as either keywords will appear in the documents conferences OR seminars
NOT (-): limits the search as excludes one of the keywords from the documents“outdoor events” -festivals
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More searching tips….
Quotation marks: searches for the phrase e.g. “convention centre”
Plus sign: in front of a word ensures that word is included e.g. events +sponsorship
Synonym searching: ~ in front of a word finds synonyms e.g. ~inexpensive = cheap, affordable, low cost
Define: before a term finds definitions e.g. define:itinerary
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Evaluating information
EVALUATING INFORMATIONFROM WEBSITES
When evaluating information from websites, it can be difficult to determine the reliability of the information.
Unlike most print sources where the information has been edited before it is published, information on the Internet is mostly unfiltered.
There is little control over the material and anyone can create a website on any topic, whether or not they have training or experience in the subject field.
A lot of the information on the Internet is commercial or personal.
List of Organisational Types List of Country Codes
.com commercial .au Australia
.edu education .nz New Zealand
.gov government .uk United Kingdom
.net network .de Germany
.org organisation no code USA
Generally, the websites that have .edu or .gov in the URL will be more reliable.
If you want Australian sites, add .au to your search.
URL CODES
EXAMINING, SELECTING AND REJECTING RESOURCES
Ask yourself these questions…√ Is the information correct?√ Is the information relevant?√ Is the information reliable? (who is the
author/sponsor?)√ Is the information up-to-date?√ Is the information free from bias? (is it trying to
persuade?)√ Is it what I need?
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RememberIf you require further assistance:
Ask at the Library Service Desk
Email: [email protected]
Check out the OIL modules on the library website @ www.central.wa.edu.au/library
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Library Homepage: www.central.wa.edu.au/library
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