Using the Library effectively for Education Studies

Christine Purcell

Durham University Library

Oct 2009

Aims of the session

To help you to:• Identify and find items on your reading lists • Find information relevant to your needs • Identify keywords for your assignments• Know where to go for help

Library basics

• University Library - 4 libraries

• Opening hours

• Loan entitlements

• Durham University email

• Contacts / support

Library services

• Laptop loan

• Study rooms / spaces

• Long opening hours

• Borrowing and returns

• Off-campus access

• Disability support

New Students support

http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/newstudents/

• Face-to-face tours – book now!

• Audio, virtual and self-guided tours

• Online training

• Library catalogue is THE gateway to print and online resources

Plan your assignment research

• What are you actually looking at?

• Decide on your keywords & synonyms

• Do your search

• Different endings (truncation)

• Review your results

• Modify search if necessary

Search strategy

• Assignment topic – Role of special needs support in schools

– What information are you looking for?– Alternative terms– What date range?– Primary or secondary?

Effective searching

AND, OR & AND NOT

Behaviour management AND NOT dyslexia

Behaviour management AND dyslexia

Behaviour management OR dyslexia

Resources

Which resources would

you use when researching

for your assignment?

Freely available web sources

• Subject Gateways (via Subject Information pages)

• Google Scholar

• ac.uk or edu sites

• Why evaluate?

Book References

Arnold, C. (2001) Child development and learning, 2-5 years: Georgia’s story. London: Paul Chapman.

Siegler, R. (2002) ‘The rebirth of children’s learning.’ in Desforges, C and Fox, R (ed.) Teaching and learning: the essential readings. Oxford: Blackwell, pp 63-83..

Shelfmarks

• Books on similar topics shelved together

• (Prefix) - Class number – Suffix

• Examples:

301.2 KEN Regular size books

+ 301.01 ABR   Oversize

Pam 370.152 SIM Pamphlet

Journals• Regular peer reviewed publications• Information on very specific topics• Up-to-date information, news, reviews etc;• Print and/or electronic versions• Databases search multiple journals

White, J. (2004) ‘Should religious education be a compulsory school subject? ’ British Journal of Religious Education, 26(2) pp. 151-164.

References and Bibliographies

• Always keep a full and accurate record of your information sources

• E-mail references to yourself from Library catalogue or databases

• Make sure you refer correctly to other authors within your work

Any questions?

• Christine Purcell – c.w.purcell@durham.ac.uk