information literacy skills: research skills

Information Literacy Skills:Information Literacy Skills:Research SkillsResearch Skills

http://library.unikl.edu.my

Example:

Break down the topic into its main concepts.List synonyms, broader terms, narrower terms.

Is global warming leading to more extreme weather?

Chapter 1 5 steps research skills

Define your topic (1)

Is Is global warmingglobal warming leading to leading to more more extreme weatherextreme weather??

Concepts Synonyms Broader terms Narrower terms

global warming

-greenhouse effect

-climate change

-global temperature change

extreme weather

-natural disaster

-meteorology -flood

-drought

-storm

-snow


Define your topic (2)

Printed SourcesPrinted Sources

DictionaryEncyclopediaTextbookMagazineJournalNewspaperThesesConference

paperResearch paper

• Audio-visual

• CD-ROM

• Online database

• Internet / Websites

Non-printed Sources


Select your sources (1)

VERY SPECIFIC/SPECIALIZEDJOURNAL ARTICLES, THESES, RESEARCH PAPERS

INFO ON A CERTAIN TOPICMAGAZINE ARTICLES, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES,

BOOKS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS

GENERAL OVERVIEWTEXTBOOKS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS


Select your sources (2)

Type of searches

Keyword search

Subject search

Understanding the difference between these will help students do a better job of searching.


Search for information (3)

Keyword SearchingKeyword SearchingAll databases provide keyword

searching. When we select a keyword search, we

are actually requesting the computer to scan all words in the database.

For example:

Author:

Abstract:

Title:

J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings

Hobbit/s



Subject Subject SearchingSearchingSearch using standardized words or

phrases chosen by experts in the field. A subject search reads only the subject

field of a record, so you will get more precise search results.

Subject searching is a strength of library databases that search engines like Google don't have.

EngineeringIndustrial--Manufacturing--System

Industrial Design

Main Subject Main Discipline Sub-Discipline

For example:

Computer Operating System Windows Vista



Three search techniques• Connecting search terms with Boolean

operators (and, or, not)

• Using truncation to increase retrieval

• Using wildcards to cope with spelling variations



Boolean Boolean ANDAND

For example:◦ Scotland AND Wales

The database will only retrieve documents in which both terms are found.

Linking keywords with AND will find pages which contain all of the search terms entered.

Scotland WalesS&W



Boolean Boolean OROR

For example:◦ Scotland OR Wales

The database will produce a list of all documents which contain either the "Scotland" or "Wales" search term.

Using the OR command when searching will retrieve documents containing any of the search terms entered.

Scotland WalesWales



Boolean Boolean NOTNOT

For example: - Scotland NOT Wales The databases will retrieve all of the documents

containing the word Scotland only. It will remove all documents that contain the word Wales.

NOT is used to exclude a particular term from your results.

WalesScotland



Truncation

• The truncation symbol is usually an asterisk (*) but may be a question mark or an exclamation mark

• EXAMPLE: Advertis*retrieves: Advertising

AdvertiseAdvertisement



Wildcard• Symbol may be a question mark or an asterisk• It varies from database to database

• EXAMPLES: Organi?ation

retrieves: Organisation

Organization

Behavio?r

retrieves: Behavior

Behaviour



(CRAAP acronym used courtesy of Meriam Library, California State University)

urrency

elevance

uthority

ccuracy

urpose

C

R

A

A

P


Evaluate retrieved info (1)

Clue 1: CurrencyClue 1: CurrencyCurrency is important because information can

quickly become obsolete. Supporting a topic/thesis statement with facts

that have been superseded by new research or recent events weakens its argument.

These are the questions to ask yourself to evaluate currency in your information

• When was the information published or last updated? • Have newer articles been published on your topic? • Are links or references to other sources up to date? • Is your topic in an area that changes rapidly, like technology or popular culture?



Clue 2: Clue 2: RelevanceRelevance

Relevance is important because students are expected to support their ideas with pertinent information.

How to know if the source is relevant? Does the information answer the research

question? Does the information meet the stated

requirements of the assignment? Is the information too technical or too

simplified to use? Does the source add something new to

students’ knowledge of the topic?



Clue 3: Clue 3: AuthorityAuthority

What are the author's credentials? Is the author affiliated with an educational

institution or prominent organization? Can we find information about the author

from reference books or the Internet? Do other books or articles cite the author?

• Authority is important in judging the credibility of the author's assertions. In a trial regarding DNA evidence, a jury gives far more authority to what a genetics specialist has to say compared to someone off the street.These are the questions to ask yourself to evaluate authority in your information



Clue 4: AccuracyClue 4: AccuracyAccuracy is important because errors and

untruths distort a line of reasoning. When students present inaccurate information,

they undermine their own credibility.

• Is the information reliable – check for grammatical, spelling and typographical errors?

• Is there an editors or someone who verifies the contents?

• Are there citations or references listed to check accuracy?

These are the questions to ask yourself to evaluate accuracy in your information



Clue 5: PurposeClue 5: Purpose Purpose is important because books, articles, and Web

pages exist to educate, entertain, or sell a product or point of view.

Some sources may be frivolous or commercial in nature, providing inadequate, false, or biased information.

Varied points of view can be valid, as long as they are based upon good reasoning and careful use of evidence.

How to determine the purpose of a source? Why did the author or publisher make this information

available? Is there an obvious bias or prejudice? Are alternative points of view presented? Does the author omit important facts or data that might

disprove a claim? Does the author use strong or emotional language?



Online DatabaseOnline Database

An electronic database of either full-text documents or citations

and abstracts, contains comprehensive collection of information

and organized for quick retrieval.

It is available through the Internet or an organization's Intranet.

Chapter 2 Library Online Resources

Intro to Online Database

1

2

3

4

5

Electronic Resources: e-bookElectronic Resources: e-booke book - An electronic version of a book that is found and read on the Web.

For example

Electronic Resources: e-journalElectronic Resources: e-journal

An electronic journal that provides its content over the Internet. Some are accessible to anyone, but many others require purchase.

Engineering

Computer Aviation Science

Springer √ √ √ACM √ebrary √ √ √ √Access Engineering

√

Book 24x7

√ √Wiley √ √ √Frost Sullivan

√

chancelleryxxxxxxxx

What is a Citation?What is a Citation?A "citation" is the way you tell your readers

that certain material in your work came from another source.

How to Cite?How to Cite?

Students should write references in 2 places:

- in the text (in text citation / parenthetical references) - at the end of the text (bibliography / references / works cited)

In Text CitationIn Text CitationStudents can do it in 3 ways: - quote - paraphrase - summarize

All three should contain author's name, year and page number(s).

All three should also be included in the bibliography.

Example of In Text Example of In Text CitationCitation

Example of Bibliography

Elements of CitationElements of Citation Book - Author(s) - Editor(s) - Title - Publisher - Place of

publication - Year of

publication - Edition (if

any)

Journal article

- Author - Title of article - Title of journal - Volume &

number of journal

- Date of publication

- Pagination

Website - Author - Title - Publisher - Place of

publication - Date of

publication - URL - Date of

accessed

Why is it such a big issue?

How would you feel if someone copied your exact words without your permission and without acknowledging you?

Copying from published materials (without acknowledgement) is illegal as it contravenes copyright law.

People in high places have lost their job because they were found to have plagiarised.

Chapter 4 Copyright & Intellectual Property Issue

Intro to copyright & IP (1)

PlagiarismPlagiarism

8.16 Academic Integrity

A student must adhere to the academic integrity. Students are prohibited from indulging in any form of academic cheating like copying or allowing others to copy, plagiarism or similar activities and so on during examination, lab work, essay or research paper, thesis and so on. Please refer to the Academic Offense under the Examination Rules and Regulations.

(see UNIKL Rules & Regulations Handbook: Rules)

8.16.1

8.0 RULES


11.0 DISCIPLINARY ACTION

For misconduct classified as a minor offence:

a. Warning or Final Warning

b. Reference to Counselor

For misconduct classified as a major offence:

b. Payment for cost of damages caused to the university’s facilities or to third party that is claiming from the university

f. Expulsion from UniKL

e. Suspension from the UniKL academic programme

What are the consequences of plagiarism

for students?

(see UNIKL Rules & Regulations Handbook: Disciplinary action)


THE END

information literacy skills: research skills

Documents

steps research skillssearch

steps research skillsdefine

steps research skillsselect

research skillshttp

wales search term

precise search results

information literacy

word scotland