inf 100 tutorial 1 - subject foundations
TRANSCRIPT
Learning OutcomesBy the end of tonight’s session, you will be able to:
Define different types of scholarly resources so that you include appropriate references in your assignments for this and future subjects
Identify useful CSU Library search tools and construct effective search strategies for use in them so that you can easily find scholarly resources
Understand why it is essential to use proper citation style in order to write academic papers of a high standard
How you will learn today...Mini-lectures
Group discussions
In-class questions and exercises - answers to be submitted via PollEverywhere using whatever smart devices you have to hand...
Get set up for PollEverywhere! Go to: PollEv.com/hkbulib
A little bit about me...Graduated from CSU in 2008 (Master of Library and Information Management)
Also in 2008, began working at the Hong Kong Baptist University Library as an Information Services Librarian
From 2005 - 2008, worked in school libraries at two international schools in Hong Kong, primary and secondary
Have done tutorials for CSU / HKU SPACE since 2009
Enough about me! Let’s find out a bit more about you…
What type of library / information organization do you work at?
Submit your answer via PollEverywhere
Subject OverviewThe information professions
The work of information professionals
The future of the information professions
Fundamentals of “being academic”
Assessment ItemsSummary - read a scholarly article on the history of an information organisation established prior to 1900
Comparative study - research a library and an archive, and write a short study that compares and contrasts the purpose of the two institutions
Essay - Identify three key issues that will impact the future of libraries and discuss how the work of information professionals will change
Advice on approaching your studies
Ask questions and be inquisitive and independent
Do the readings and try to read beyond them as well
Take full advantage of the resources available to you
Photo by Mal Booth: https://www.flickr.com/photos/malbooth/
HKUSPACE SOUL
SPACE has its own E-Learning platform called SOUL
I will use it only to post copies of my presentations, and also to host a forum where you can questions specific to HK students
However, you should primarily be using CSU Interact
Scholarly Sources
Group Discussion
What types of information resources should you use when researching academic papers?Submit your answers via PollEverywhere
Use of scholarly sources in Assignments
You need to show that you have consulted a reasonable range of relevant sources (including authoritative online sources, books, and journal articles)
These sources must be properly cited and referenced using APA style
Refer to the School of Information Studies Presentation Guidelines for details
Peer reviewScholarly journal articles generally must go through a process called “peer review” before publication
Ensures that the articles are of high quality
A common form is “double-blind” peer review
Library Search Tools
e.g. LISTA(Library, Information Science, and Technology Abstracts)
Indexes 560 core journals
Database Benefits
Focused search Quality information
sources Most include full text or
links to full text
Concept:Search for information from many different
publications at the same time
Library databases
Another option: Discovery service
Relatively recent trend in library search
Allows access to the vast majority of a library’s owned and subscribed content via a single search interface
All resource types included: books, journal articles, conference papers, etc.
CSU Library subscribes to Primo Search
Search Strategy
Search strategyTo be successful in finding relevant material, you need to employ appropriate search strategy in Library search engines
Poor search strategy:
importance of libraries in the information society
Better search strategy:
librar* AND (information society OR knowledge society)
Let’s look at the steps to a successful search strategy...
Step 1: Identify keywords
Select only those words that are relevant to the topic, i.e. libraries | information society
Watch out for tricky “soft” words like impact, relationship, effects, etc.
What is the importance of libraries in the information society?
libraries information society
Step 2: Apply truncation
Use truncation for variant word endings, e.g.:
librar* will find library, libraries, librarian, etc.
libraries information society
librar* information society
Step 3: Think of synonyms
librar* information society
The computer can’t do all your thinking for you! You need to tell it to search for relevant similar words (synonyms)
You can use Boolean logic to combine similar terms into your search strategy, or simply multiple searches using different synonyms
librar* AND (information society OR knowledge society)
Exercise Come up with an effective search strategy for the following topic:
Why are university libraries developing learning commons? Submit your answers via PollEverywhere
Focus on choosing the correct keywords and applying truncation appropriately, but it would be great if you can come up with synonyms too!
Live demo...Finding LISTA on the CSU Library website
Keyword search
Getting fulltext of articles through SFX if necessary
Link Resolvers Explained!
Citation information in database (e.g. LISTA) sent to link resolver
Link resolver (e.g. SFX) parses citation information and identifies targets that contain full text and provides link(s)
User can access the fulltext at the target fulltext repository (e.g. JSTOR, ScienceDirect, other publisher platform)
Citation
Shows that you have done your research and read widely
Allows your reader to find the original source
Attractive bibliographies make your work look more professional
Ensures you avoid committing “accidental” plagiarism
Why we cite
PlagiarismPlagiarism remains a serious problem in academia - take some time to review the important information on this topic located on the CSU website:
http://student.csu.edu.au/study/plagiarism/understanding
APA ExamplesBook
Gorman, M. (2000). Our enduring values: Librarianship in the 21st century. Chicago: American Library Association.
Journal article
Wallis, J. (2005). Cyberspace, information literacy and the information society. Library Review, 54(4), 218-222. doi:10.1108/00242530510593407
Citation Management ToolsSome tools exist that help streamline the citation process
Such tools are part of most major library database platforms
They are NOT perfect - you must still check the citation yourself for mistakes
Some examples….
EBSCOhost
ProQuest
MendeleyFor a more complete reference management solution, several software products exist, e.g. EndNote, RefWorks, Zotero, etc.
My personal favourite is Mendeley - let’s try a quick live demo…
Get a free account at http://www.mendeley.com
SummaryMake sure that you are using books and scholarly journal articles, not just for the first assignment but all of your assignments that you do at CSU
Library search tools such as databases and discovery services allow you to find relevant scholarly material easily
You will find more relevant items in library search tools (and in Google Scholar) if you use effective search strategies
Correct and consistent application of citation style is an integral part of academic writing - start developing good habits in this area now