cosc 111 - fall 2011
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
LAKSAMEE [email protected]
RESEARCH AND INSTRUCTION LIBRARIAN
COSC 111: Finding Information Using Cook Library
Take Away…
Search strategies and Search tips
Finding books: Cook Library Catalog
Finding articles: Databases
Website evaluate
http://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles.html
Preparing to Search
Articulate your topic
Brainstorm
Strategize where to search
research skills ≠ needle in the haystack
Information Technology
“the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware.”
– Information Technology Association of America
Image retrieved from MailOnline
Image retrieved from Twitter
Technology Brainstorming
What kinds of (information) technologies?
Technologies used to achieve specific goals Encourage communication or learning, etc.
Targeted towards certain populations Business or college students, etc.
Search Terms and Keyword Reminders
Keywords come from the search question
Use Boolean “search connectors” to combine keywords in ways that capture the results you need
Use broader terms/concepts when looking for BOOKS.
Use narrower terms when looking for ARTICLES.
Formulating a Keyword Search
1. Choose a Topic
Formulating a Keyword Search
1. Choose a Topic The success of Apple products
Formulating a Keyword Search
2. Narrow/Broaden your search
Formulating a Keyword Search
2. Narrow/Broaden your search How Apple created and marketed its products
successfully
Formulating a Keyword Search
3. Identify the key concepts
Formulating a Keyword Search
3. Identify the key concepts Apple
Marketing
Created
Products
Success
Formulating a Keyword Search
4. Consider synonyms/alternative spellings for terms
Products
Success
Apple
Marketing
Created
Formulating a Keyword Search
4. Consider synonyms/alternative spellings for terms
Products Brand Invention Iphone
Success Achievement Fortune Fame Progress
Apple Apple Inc. Mac
Marketing Market Advertise Retail
Created Innovate Design Build
Formulating a Keyword Search
5. Formulate your search utilizing various combinations of your words
String them together using AND/OR/NOT
Truncate *
Formulating a Keyword Search
6. Limit your search
Appropriate date range
Subject
Publication type
Good searching starts with good keywords
Boolean “search connectors”
AND OR NOT
For example:
spam AND internet security• Combining >1 topic
OLED OR organic light emitting diodes
• Combining synonymous terms
What AND does…
spam AND internet security
What OR does…
organic light emitting diodes
OLED OR organic light emitting diodes
OLED
Don’t forget: Truncation helps
technolog* finds…
technologtechnologtechnologtechnologtechnolog
yiesistsicalically
…etc!
Similar ideas….different words
CellphoneCell phoneCellular telephoneWireless phoneMobileSmartphone
Finding Books
Towson CatalogAdvanced Search
USMAI Combined CatalogRequests
TU WorldCat
Interlibrary Loan (Illiad)
Searching the Catalog
Cook Library
Research
Library Catalogs
Advanced Search Options
Location Call number Library Map
Other locations Request Interlibrary loan (Illiad)
Searching Databases
Cook Library
Subject Gateways
Computer Science
From: Scholarly Journals Magazines (inc. Trade Publications) Newspapers
Peer-reviewed articles in multiple journals
Journals Towson: 64 journals with the words
“Computer Science” in the title
Databases Computer Science Index: 500 journals
on a variety of topics
Evaluate
Authority/Authorship – Determine who is responsible for the information. What are his/her credentials?
Currency – Is the information current and up-to-date? Is there a publication date?
Objectivity – Is there any bias? What is the purpose of the web page (to inform or to persuade)?
Scope – Are sources cited? Is the subject covered in depth?
Usability – Is the site easy to navigate? Are spelling and grammar correct?
Examples http://zapatopi.
net/treeoctopus/
http://www.rythospital.com/2011/
Let’s start searching!
Come up with keywords for your topic
Find a book
Find an article
As you are finding information on your topic please fill in the Google Doc worksheet http://bit.ly/COSC111worksheet
Questions?
Feel free to contact me: Laksamee Putnam [email protected] 410.704.3746. Twitter: @LibrarianLaks
Or any reference librarian: Visit Cook Library Reference Desk 410.704.2462. IM – tucookchat