Better than Google http:// unihub.mdx.ac.uk / study / library
PDE2440 Feb 2015
In this workshop we will look at..
• Range of resources
• Search strategy
• Finding information
• Evaluating
Why research?
cat
cat
Thinking about resources
Books
What are they:
A written or printed work of fiction or fact.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Background information and inspiration
Not so good for:
Up to date information
Web page
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
Newspaper
What are they:
A regular publication containing current events,
informative and diverse articles and advertising.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Daily information
Not so good for:
Balanced and well researched information
Academic Journal
What are they:
A regular publication containing articles on a particular
academic subject. Presents new research.
Maybe electronic.
Good for:
Latest research, critically reviewed
by experts
Not so good for:
Broad overview of a subject
Trade Journal or Magazine
What are they:
A regular publication containing news, jobs, products,
events and advertising.
Aimed at a profession, business sector or interest.
Good for:
Focussed up-to-date information
Not so good for:
Detailed and objective reports
Objects
What are they:
A material thing that can be seen and handled.
Good for:
Inspiration, ideas and sensory experience.
Not so good for:
Detailed information, context
and facts.
Other resources•Samples Library http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/specialcolls
•WGSN HomeBuildLife *
•http://www.trendhunter.com/
•British Standards Online *
* MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases
Find out moreMyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Library Subject Guides
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/PDE
Thinking about keywords
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossjamesparker/89414788/
The real thing: Robotics
•Keywords
•Alternative keywords
•More specific keywords
•Related subjects
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbaltimore/6778028/meta/
Finding resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon
Select Summon and
search for information for
your project
Refining your search
Google vs Summon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuiislife/3450743002/
• 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
But it’s not in the Library!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkstream/502964144/
Not everything is online!
http://www.slideshare.net/EISLibrarian/library-catalogue-how-to-request-a-book-general
Evaluating information
Imagine 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
Referencing and PlagiarismmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Library Subject Guides >
Prod. Des. & Des. Eng. > Information Skills > Referencing and Citation
http://bit.ly/PDref
Keeping in touch
• Blog http://satlibrarian.blogspot.com
• Twitter http://twitter.com/SATlibrarian
• Library Facebook Middlesex University Library
• Library Twitter http://twitter.com/MDXLibrary
Need further help?
Your Librarian is:
Vanessa Hill [email protected]
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/support/unihelp/