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

1st year BSc Architectural Technology Oct 2016

Better than Google

In this workshop we will look at..

• Range of resources

• Search strategy

• Finding information

• Evaluating

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/BuiltEnvironment/Resources

Thinking about keywords

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

The real thing: Residential bungalow

• Keywords

• Alternative words

• Detail

• Related subjects

Finding resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon

Select Summon and search for information for your project: Residential Bungalow.

Refining your search

Not everything is online!

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

Referencing and PlagiarismMy Library > MySubject Library Guides > Science & Technology

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/BuiltEnvironment/Skills

Evaluating information

Evaluating informationImagine you are writing an essay on ‘Project management’.

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

MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases > L

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/BuiltEnvironment/Lynda

MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases > B

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/BuiltEnvironment/Standards

Need further help?

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

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