INFORMATION SKILLS: NAVIGATINGRESEARCH IN LIBRARY

FACILITATOR

OKIKI, O. Chris (Ph.D)

Head, Automation Unit

University of Lagos Library

University of Lagos

Akoka, Lagos chrisokiki

2009@yahoo.com

Better is Possible

“Arriving at meaningful solutions is an inevitably slow and difficult process. Nonetheless…. Better is

possible. It does not take genius. It takesdiligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes

ingenuity. And above all, it takes a willingness to try.”

What is it that makes change?

“Entrepreneurship is the recognition and pursuit of opportunity without regard to the resources you currently control, with confidence that you can

succeed, with the flexibility to change course as necessary and with the will to rebound from

setbacks.”

What are librarians doing to help?

Improving discovery

Developing and teaching IL courses

Student observation and involvement in the learning progress

Deepening faculty collaboration

Shifts in the Library Profession

Products Service

Facility People

Mediation Enabling

Resources Educational Impact

AccessSense-making

(Information Literacy)

E-Resources and Information Literacy: Three Polls to Foster Collaboration

Free E-Resources for Your LibraryJohn Shawler

Khan Academy

• Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a high-quality education to anyone, anywhere.

• Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Google.

• Great free e-resource for hard science

• http://www.khanacadem y.org/

Omeka

• Established at George Mason University as part of the Center for History and New Media.

• Can be used to manage, store and publish your library’s digital collections and exhibits.

• http://omeka.org/

Understanding Online Databases

• What are online databases?

Online databases are Web-based electronic indexes that enable you to locate and retrieve articles in magazines, journals and newspapers.

NEXT

Definition of a databaseWhat is a database?• A database consists of organized pieces

of information. These pieces of information are placed into records.

• The electronic databases contain magazine and periodical articles, as well as other types of information.

• For example, a file cabinet could be consideredavery basic form of a non-digital

database. The files(records) that containfiling

cabinet containscards (pieces of information). These pieces ofinformation are placed in some sort of order for easy access.

Which database to use

• When deciding which databases to use for your topic, consider:

• What subjects are covered?• What years are covered?• What geographical areas are covered, that

is, do you want information that has an Australian focus or an international focus ?

• Multidisciplinary (Comprehensive) vs. Subject Specific

Database coverage may becomprehensive e.g., Academic Search Premier

, or on a particular subject, e.g., ABI/Inform Global.

• Full text vs. Citation only

A database may contain full text articles or only citations.

Types of Databases —

NEXT

Planning a search strategy

• Define your information need• Decide which sources to use• Find out how they function• Run your search• Review and refine you search• This process can be started away from the

computer

Define your information need

• What sort of information are you looking for?– Specific information, e.g. a fact or date

• Reference source, e.g. data book, encyclopaedia, dictionary, the Web or even a textbook are usually best.

– General information, e.g. research areas• May require more thought, including how much information

is needed and at what depth

• Who is going to use the information?– Researcher? Academic? First year student?

• This might effect which sort of information you require

Define your information need cont…

Careful choice of search term(s) is vital• What key words do you think will appear on

the site/article you want?• What key concepts is it a part of or related to?• Are there any synonyms for these keywords

or concepts?• Are there any alternative spellings for

your keywords/concepts• Are plurals or capitalisation involved?

Locating & Retrieving Relevant Articles

• Each database has its own search interface and capabilities. Many of the basic search concepts and features are similar:

• Keyword searching• Limiters• Boolean operators

• What are some common searching problems and solutions?

• Where can you find more assistance forsome of the library’s databases?

NEXT

Keyword Searching

• Keyword searching is the easiest search method, but may be less precise.

• Databases collect, sort and present information according to FIELDS (which are usually found in a dropdown menu), such as:

• Author• Title of article• Subject• Publication name

• To make your search more specific, you may select one or more fields to do keyword search.

• To expand your search, you may search for keyword(s) in All basicor Default fields.

NEXT

Limiters

• Limiters are database functions that let you narrow your search results.

• Database limiters may include:• Scholarly (Peer Reviewed)• Publication year• Full text• Language, etc.

NEXT

Boolean Operator: AND

• AND links words or phrases that must both appear in the same article.

• If you what to focus your search results, use Boolean operator AND to connect additional word(s)

Example: computer and teaching -- finds both computerand teaching anywhere in the same article.

NEXT

Boolean Operator: OR

• OR links synonyms, alternative forms of expression, acronyms, and so on.

• If you want to expand your search, use Boolean operator OR to connect additional word(s).

Example: first grade or elementary school -- finds either first grade or elementary school in the same article.

NEXT

Decide which sources to use

What sources are appropriate for your information need?

• Individuals’ and organisations’ home pages• Newspapers and magazines• Subject gateways, databases, catalogues• Journals—titles, abstracts or full text• Reference

dictionaries• Books••

resources, e.g.,encyclopaedias,

Grey literature, e.g. government publications Print or electronic

Electronic search tools

• help you sift through the huge range of information available

• use keywords to browse or perform simple or advanced searches

• all function slightly differently

• ebrary database

http://site.ebrary.com/lib/qataru

have more than 60,000 online, full-text books.

• NetLibrary Database

http://www.netlibrary.com/

More than 100,000 titles and hundreds of global publishers

http://www.netlibrary.com/Search/AdvancedSearc h.asp

Use the information• As a librarian

– Promote high quality resources to your users– Encourage users to adopt techniques and

strategies that you have found successful– Pass on your expert knowledge

• As a researcher– Promote resources and facilities to your colleagues– Encourage the adoption of successful strategies

and techniques with others

Summary

• Developing and encouraging people to use effective searching strategies is essential

• The use of a search strategy checklist should be encouraged

• Understand and use advanced searching• Boolean searches are powerful and

under used• Learn the search routines for all

packages and electronic information sources

Thank you Any questions?