module 3: using thebrain and your brain

Using TheBRAIN and Your Brain

Today’s Agenda: Basic Training

Libraryland Lingo

Translating Assignments

Locating Academic Resources

Choose Your Tool(s)Books = historical or background

information

Journal articles = very current developments, academic and professional research

Newspaper articles = gauge public opinion, info for that moment in time

Websites = gov’t publications, organizations’ attitudes

Churn It Up!● Your language may not work with our

resources● Library resources are organized by librarians

● Most likely you will find information, but…

● it might be only a fraction

● it might not be the best

Database Tips and Tricks

Kick the keyword search to the curb

Use the left hand column – it’s like having a lovely librarian on your shoulder

You will get everything actually on topic, not just articles that mention your words

Look Left to Narrow Your Search

Magazines & Journals

Be choosey

• Use you program pages from TheBRAIN’s homepage

• These pages provide you the links to the resources and services recommended for your program of study

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Additional Tips

Be lazy, but academic

Click full text Specify a date range if currency is

a focusLimit by number of pagesDecide if you need the professional

or academic experience this can be the difference between a cup

or a carafe of coffee while reading your articles

Don’t forget about books!

New catalogue is easier than ever!

Use your words

And then – LOOK LEFT

Click through to even better results

Research Recap Brainstorm – find alternatives to your

lingo● break your topic down into 2 or 3 terms

Make the database(s) work for you● limit to full text, by date, by source type, …● use subjects over keywords when you can

Don’t be afraid to play

Ask for help!

Test Drive While this info is fresh, take

TheBRAIN for a test drive

Use the Help! widgets on our course’s homepage to ask the

Library any questions you may have on constructing a good search

You will need to fine tune your skills for the upcoming modules

If you think of any…

Peggy Frenchpeggy.french@mohawkcollege.ca

ORAny library staff member!