http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/library-and-it-support

PDE2440 Nov 2015

Better than Google

In this workshop we will look at..

• Range of resources

• Search strategy

• Finding information

• Evaluating

Why research?

Thinking about resources

BooksWhat 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 pageWhat 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.

NewspaperWhat 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 JournalWhat 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 MagazineWhat 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.

ObjectsWhat 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

• Trendhunter http://www.trendhunter.com/

• WGSN Lifestyle & Interiors *

• British Standards Online *

* MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases

Find out moreMyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > MySubject > Science & Technology

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

Thinking about keywords

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

The real thing: Robotics

• Keywords

• Alternative spellings

• Detail

• 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

Saving your references in Flow

 http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/Flow

Not everything is online!

http://www.slideshare.net/EISLibrarian/library-catalogue-how-to-request-a-book-general

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 > MySubject> Science & Technology

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

Referencing and PlagiarismMy Library > Library Subject Guides > Science & Technology >

Prod. Des. & Des. Eng. > Information Skills > Referencing and Citation

Evaluating information

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

Need further help?

Your Librarian is:Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk