Finding information resources : Physics

Richard Holmes

November 2012

Aims of the sessionTo help you: • Identify, find & evaluate relevant sources of

information• 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 when

researching

Before we begin…

“Analyse the formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes”

2 minutes to look for at least one piece of useful and reliable information on this topic

The Library (Print)

Print:• Most Physics books are on Level 3 in the Bill

Bryson Library

• All journals are in mobile shelving on Level 1

The Library (Online)

The Library (Online)

4 steps to finding information

1.Identify

keywords

2.Decide where

to search

3.Search

4.Review results

1. Identify Keywords

Identify keywords from your topic:

“The physics behind butterflies’ iridescent colours”

Advanced searching techniques:• Synonyms: butterfly OR diurnal insect OR Lepidoptera • Truncation: physic* to locate physics, physical science, physicist… • Wildcards: colo?r to locate colour or color• Phrases: “iridescent colour”• Joining Words: AND, OR, NOT

Tip: Try VisuWords.com for synonyms and related terms

Task One (p.2 of handout)

Identify keywords from a topic of your choice, if you can’t think of one use:

“Analyse the formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes”

Task One p.2 of handout (2)

OR

AND

evolution

formation

Analyse the formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes

growth

AND

OR

creat*

develop*

“black hole” galax*

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• E-Print/Research Repository

Try Credo Reference (multiple reference works in one site) instead of Wikipedia.

Search – library catalogue• Specific vs speculative searching:

– Author/Title (combined) for known item– Keyword– Classmark and Subject search

• Can save searches and email results

Have a go• Experiment with searching the Library

catalogue using keywords, truncation, phrases, operators (AND, OR, NOT)

Beyond the Library Catalogue • Databases

– E-books– Journal Articles– Review literature– Standards– Conference Papers– Theses– Newspapers

Search – online databases

Databases search a wide range of material:• Some provide full text

– IoP– 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

Have a go!

• Use the keywords you identified in Task One to search for information in:

– An online database

3. Search – other online resources• E-books• E-prints

– arXiv.org e-Print archive - papers in physics and related disciplines

• Conference proceedings• Internet Gateways

– See recommended sites in subject pages• Data sites

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: Richard Holmes

• Subject information page: – http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/physics

• Help and Information Point on Level 2

• Online enquiries form:– http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries/

Any Questions

Richard Holmes:richard.holmes@durham.ac.uk