http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/library-and-it-support

Maths 3rd year Session 1 Oct 2016

Information skills for research

In this workshop we will look at..

• Range of resources

• Search strategy

• Finding information

Why research?

Thinking about resources

BooksWhat are they:

A written or printed work of fiction or fact.

May be electronic.

Good for:

Clear overview.

Not so good for:

Up to date information.

Web pageWhat are they:

An information resource which can be easily created by anyone on any topic.

Electronic.

Good for:

Very up to date information.

Not so good for:

Accurate and reliable information.

NewspaperWhat are they:

A regular publication containing current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising.

May be electronic.

Good for:

Daily information.

Not so good for:

Balanced and well researched information.

JournalWhat are they:

A regular publication containing articles on a particular academic subject.

Presents new research.

Good for:

Latest research, critically reviewed by experts.

Not so good for:

Broad overview of a subject.

Popular (trade) journalWhat are they:

A regular publication containing new products plus information for a business sector.

Good for:

Latest product news.

Not so good for:

Detailed and objective reports.

Find out moreMyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > MySubject > Science & Technology

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/MathsStats

Thinking about keywords

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossjamesparker/89414788/

Finding resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon

Select Summon and search for information for your project: History of Mathematics.

Refining your search

Abstract

Save your Refs

Not everything is online!

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/MathsStats/LibraryAccount

Google vs Summon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuiislife/3450743002/

Google • Familiar and easy to use

• Finds too much information

• Fast results

• Access from any computer

• Access to some books and journals

• Designed to sell you things

• Search results sponsored

• Searches for info from any source

• Pay for academic information

Summon• Easy to use

• Finds lots of academic info

• Fast results

• Access from any computer

• Access to lots of books and journals

• Designed to find you information

• Search results by relevance

• Searches quality resources

• Free access to full text

Specialist resource: MathSciNetMyLibrary > Databases > M

Next week…...

Need further help?

Your Librarian is:Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/MathsStats/Help