Better than Google http:// unihub.mdx.ac.uk / study / library

PSY 1st years 2014

In this workshop we will look at..

• Range of resources

• Search strategy

• Finding information

• Evaluating

Example of coursework marking criteria

10% Introduction

15% Overview

30% Critical analysis

15% Discussion

10% Conclusion

10% Referencing

10% Quality etc

Maximum marks for a well referenced and accurate description of [subject] using suitable references

Maximum of 10 marks for a list of references which is both relevant, and correctly given in Harvard style

Maximum of 10 marks for quality, style of writing and presentation

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 page

What 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.

Online Reading Listshttp://readinglists.mdx.ac.uk/ or MyLearning

Find out moreMyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Library Subject Guides

Thinking about keywords

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

The real thing

• Keywords

• Alternative keywords

• More specific keywords

• Related subjects

Finding resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon

Select Summon and search for information for your project

Refining your search

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

Evaluating information

Evaluating information

Imagine you are writing an essay on ‘mental health’.

Have a look at the 4 items that you have been given and consider the following:

• Which items are the most relevant to your essay?

• Which items would be no use?

• Which item has the most academic authority?

• Which items might have bias?

• Which item is the most current?

• Authority

• Relevance

• Intent

• Objectivity

• Currency

Evaluating information

But it’s not in the Library!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkstream/502964144/

Don’t panic!• Sconul Access http://www.access.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access

• Other libraries http://bit.ly/visitingotherlibraries

• Request the book

Keep in touch

• Blog http://satlibrarian.blogspot.com

• Twitter http://twitter.com/SATlibrarian

• Library Facebook Middlesex University Library

• Library Twitter http://twitter.com/MDXLibrary

Need further help?

Your Librarian is:

Viv Eades v.eades@mdx.ac.uk

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/support/unihelp/