Library Research Methods for MA FTVA

Liaison Librarian : Sue Nolanemail: s.nolan@mdx.ac.uk

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/library

In this workshop we will look at...

• Services and facilities available from the Library

• Using our resources to find information

• Developing an effective search strategy

• Evaluating information for quality and relevance

UniHub home page and loginhttp://unihub.mdx.ac.uk

Login to myUnihub

Accessing resourcesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library

Access to electronic resources and Library Catalogue

Subject Support

The Library Catalogue

My Account: Requests, renewals

My Library Account

Journal Access

Example of an electronic journal: Sight and sound

Databases and Indexes

• Business Source complete

• Film and Television Literature Index

• Film Index International

• International Index to Performing Arts

• Media, Cultural and Communication Studies Collection

• Paley Centre Seminars

• Proquest Newsstand

• Sage Journals Online

Accessing DatabasesmyUnihub>my study>my library

Film Index International

Film & Television Literature Index with full text

Summon

Principles of literature searching

• Define your question

• Identify significant keywords

• Identify related terms

• Identify broader and narrower terms

• Watch out for spelling and terminology e.g. English vs American

Identify your keywords

• Start with your research question and make a list of key, relevant topics

• From these try to make a list of ‘keywords’ to search for in the catalogue/databases

Controlling your search

AND

OR

NOT

• Narrow search eg. product AND design

• Widen search eg. USA OR America

• Exclude words eg. Computer games NOT video

• Search for phrases eg. “human computer interaction”

• Broaden search eg. design* (finds design, designing, designers etc)

• Find different spellings eg. organi?ation (finds organisation and organization)

• Include and exclude terms (Internet) eg. + “da Vinci” -code

Now it’s your turn

• Use the resources mentioned to find

• A book

• A journal article

• RELEVANT FOR YOUR RESEARCH

Inter-Library Loans

• For books and journal articles not available at Middlesex

• Fill in request form online on Inter-library loan page of on my study page

• Charge is £3 per request

• Journal articles are delivered electronically to your email address, books take 1-3 weeks.

Evaluating Information• Authority : Who is the author? What is their knowledge

base/qualifications? How have they carried out their research?

• Relevance : Is this what I need? Will it answer my question? Is it at the right level?

• Intent : What is the purpose of information e.g. financial gain, propaganda, academic etc?

• Objectivity : Balanced view? Opposing views represented? Links to supporting information?

• Currency: How old is this information? When was it last updated and by whom?

Managing your research

• Time management. Aim for date to complete literature search

• Allow time to find material, access and read it.

• Allow time to collect inter library loans, visit other libraries if some material has to be sourced elsewhere.

• Keep a log book detailing full bibliographic details of materials used.

Referencing:• You must reference your work properly with full details

of all resources used, e.g. books, journal articles, websites

• Keep a record of what you are using from the start of your literature searching

• Guides on subject pages

Working off Campus...You may see this screen

Click on the link and login with your myUniHub

username and password.

If so, simply follow the link and if asked to login again use your myUnihub username and password

Other Libraries• BFI Library. Reopening on the Southbank, 12 June.

Search catalogue before going. Free to use. Reference only.

• SCONUL Access Scheme provides access to other academic libraries. Apply at the Library Helpdesk for a card

• For more information on the scheme visit the websitehttp://www.sconul.ac.uk/using_other_libraries/access

• British Library. Information on applying for a reader’s pass and links to catalogue are on their website http://www.bl.uk (check catalogue to see if materials you require is held at St Pancras Reading Rooms)