Searching for information

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

http://stormagicuk.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/needle_haystack.jpg?w=479

So far so good

In previous sessions we looked at:

• What we have

• Why we have them

• What to use and when

• Being curious

• Keywords

• Search tips

Today we will look at..• Searching for information for your project

• Evaluating information

Why research?

Thinking about keywords Creating Healthy Homes: culinary enjoyment, fabric care

and air purification.

• Keyword

s

• Alternativ

e

• Specific

• Related

Using MDX resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library

Select Summon and search for information for your project

Refining your search

Google vs Summon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuiislife/3450743002/

Google

• Familiar and easy to use

• Finds too much information

• Fast results

• Access from any computer

• Access to some books and journals

• Designed to sell you things

• Search results sponsored

• Searches for info from any source

• Pay for academic information

Summon

• Easy to use

• Finds lots of academic info

• Fast results

• Access from any computer

• Access to lots of books and journals

• Designed to find you information

• Search results by relevance

• Searches quality resources

• Free access to full text

Get online help using resourcesMyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Library Subject Guides

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

Consumer trends and insight

Find out about companies, market sectors, industry and country profiles, and consumer trends:

• Business Source Complete

• Global Market Information Database

• Keynote

Find out more: http://bit.ly/ReportsPD

MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases

Images and inspiration

• WGSN HomeBuildLife *

• Google image search

• http://www.flickr.com/

• http://www.pinterest.com/

• http://www.dreamstime.com

• http://www.trendhunter.com/

• British Standards Online *

• http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/specialcolls

* MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases

Copyright free imagesGoogle image search > Search tools > Labelled for reuse

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/copyright/index.aspx

But it’s not in the Library!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkstream/502964144/

Don’t panic!• Sconul Access http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access

• Other libraries http://bit.ly/visitingotherlibraries

• Request the book

Evaluating informationImagine 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?

• Authority

• Relevance

• Intent

• Objectivity

• Currency

Evaluating information

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

Need more help?

Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk

Ask a Librarian http://askalibrarian.mdx.ac.uk/