finding information: engineering and computing sciences nicola conway october 2011
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Finding information: Engineering and Computing Sciences
Nicola Conway
October 2011
Aims of the sessionTo help you: • Identify, find & evaluate relevant resources for
your research• Use the library effectively, and make the most
of our services and resources • Know who to contact for further help
Format of the session
What the session will involve:• A demonstration of quality academic resources for
your subject• A chance for you to begin searching for information • An opportunity to ask for help and advice
Library basics• http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/ • Main Library Level 3 : Sciences • Information for students:
– New, Current and Researcher web pages : http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/information/
– Opening hours – Loan entitlements
• Durham University email• Contacts / support
Subject Specific Support: http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/engineering/
4 steps to finding information
1.Identify
keywords
2.Decide where
to search
3.Search
4.Review results
1. Identify KeywordsIdentify keywords from your topic:
“Discuss the development of engineering systems used in renewable energy sources”
Advanced searching techniques:• Synonyms: development OR advancement OR progress• Truncation: engineer* to locate engineering, engineered etc.• Phrases: “renewable energy”• Wildcards: colo?r to locate colour or color• Joining Words: AND, OR, NOT
Task One p.3 of handout
• Identify keywords from the topic you are researching, if you haven’t got a topic to research yet you can use:
“Investigate how evidence based practices can be employed in software engineering”
Task One p.3 of handout (2)
OR
AND
Software
“evidence based practice”
scientific research
“Investigate how evidence based practices can be employed in software engineering”
AND
OR
EBP
Engineer* Develop* Design*
Program AutoCAD
2. Decide where to search (1)What information do you need?
– Overview of a topic, theory, idea, concept? • Encyclopaedias and Dictionaries (online and in print)
– Background information?• Textbook/E-book
– Information on the latest developments?• Journal Article• Conference Paper• News item• E-Print/Research Repository
2. Decide where to search (2)• Do you have a specific reference?
– Yes Library Catalogue
– No Online resource
• Have you consulted the information resources available for Engineering and Computing Sciences? http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/engineering
3: Search - the Library Catalogue• Can be searched using a variety of methods
– Author/Title (combined) for known item– Keyword– Classmark and Subject search
• Searches for print and electronic resources but does not search within them
• Can save searches and email results
3: Search – Online databases
Which online resource?• Databases
– Journal Articles– Standards– E-books– Conference Papers– Theses
Journals and Conference Papers
Databases search a wide range of material:• Some provide full text
– IEEE Xplore– Science Direct
• Some only provide bibliographic information– Web of Knowledge– Can use ConneXions to see if Durham subscribes to the
content
No single database will cover everything
Journal Ranking
• ARC: Australian Research Council– http://www.arc.gov.au/era/era_2010/archive/era_j
ournal_list.htm
– A* - Not Ranked • Web of Knowledge:
– Journal Citation Reports • Impact Factor (1.5+)
Task Two p.6 of handout
• Use the keywords you identified in Task One to search for information in:– An online database
Using other online resources
• Standards: British Standards Online • Patents• Theses & dissertations :
– http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/finding/theses/ • News and news archives • E-prints/Research Repositories: arXiv.org• E-books
Using Internet Resources (1)
• Remember to evaluate information on the web Anyone can be a web author There are few controls over what is posted on the web Is material peer-reviewed or edited? Is the information up to date? Check for bias or an agenda
Using Internet Resources (2)
• TechXtra - access to e-prints, technical reports, theses, articles, news, trade magazines and job announcements.
• Scirus - science search engine of evaluated academic sites
• Google Scholar – search engine for academic resources – uses Durham ConneXions button
Task Two p.6 of handout
• Use the keywords you identified in Task One to search for information:– Using another online resource
Obtaining items outside of Durham• Visiting other universities e.g. Newcastle and Northumbria
– Check their catalogues: http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/online/catalogues/
• Access to other libraries – SCONUL Access Scheme – http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/otherlibraries/
• Document Delivery Service– http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/borrowing/dds/
4. Review your results• Are your results useful?
– Do you need to change your keywords or search in a different database?
– Use one record to find similar useful resources• Evaluate the quality of your sources
– particularly if they are found on the internet• Keep references
– e-mail yourself useful references
References and Bibliographies
• Always keep a full and accurate record of your information sources
• Use the Library Catalogue and online databases to e-mail references for saving
• Make sure you refer correctly to other authors within your work
• Avoid plagiarism
Where to get further help• Academic Support Team: Nicola Conway – Engineering
& Computing Sciences
• Subject information page: – http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/engineering/
• Help and Information Point on Level 2
• Online enquiries form:– http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries/
