Napier University Learning Information Services Research Skills Faculty of Engineering and Computing...
Transcript of Napier University Learning Information Services Research Skills Faculty of Engineering and Computing...
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing 2000
Napier University Learning Information Services (NULIS)
Faculty of Engineering and Computing - Postgraduate
Research Skills
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
NULIS Web Pages
Subject guidesNULIS publicationsRoute to electronic resourcesConvenient jumping off point for
WebsitesComplements and gives access to
NULIS catalogue...
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
NULERN
NULIS Electronic Resources Network
Newspapers and indexes
Market research reports
Transport, Law, Standards
And more...
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Why do a search?
Topic selection Find specific project
information Discover structure of
information in a particular subject
Locate information on research methods - questionnaire design, data analysis, report writing etc.
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Information Searching
ScopeTimescaleRangeKey conceptsKey words
– broader– narrower– synonyms– related
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Keywords (example)
Broad topic area: Information systems designKey concept: Human computer interaction
(HCI)Broad keywords: interface design, user,
cognitive psychology,Narrower terms: graphical user interface
(GUI),Related terms: artificial intelligence,
ergonomics, software design, anthropology, applications etc.
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Evaluating Results
Apply RUDOLF against your search results:
R - relevant to your needs?
U - useful for the problem in hand?
D - date of publication appropriate?
O - obtainable?
L - level of information correct? Too simple/advanced?
F - fresh information? Do you know this already?
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Consult the NULIS Catalogue and Subject
Guides for full details on all of the services
referred to in this presentation.
http://www.napier.ac.uk/depts/library/homepage.htm
http://www.napier.ac.uk/depts/library/subjects/subjects.htm
Information sources
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
PRIMARY SOURCES
SECONDARY SOURCES
TERTIARY SOURCES
JournalsDissertationsThesesBooks
NewspapersConference papersPatents & StandardsReports
Indexes Abstracts
CataloguesBibliographies
PUBLISHING CYCLE
The research cycle
INFORMATIONSEARCHING
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Search by...Author
Title
Words in title
You can also…Place holds (reservations)
Check your NULIS record
Renew items on loan to you
NULIS Catalogue
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
1. WEBPAC
Via the web Graphical interface Direct links to web No Short Loan booking
facility Future upgrade path
There are currently two routes to the catalogue
Accessing the Catalogue
Napier University
WebPACCatalogue
New search
Previous searches
Guided search
Advanced search
Personal information
WebPAC help
NULIS home page
Short loans
Questions & answers
Catalogue New Search
WebPAC allows you to search for all print,audiovisual and electronic materials held in NULIS
stock or accessible via the University network
Select your type of search Words taken from the title
Enter your search terms
Search Clear Search Settings
?STOP
http://webpac.napier.ac.uk/
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
2. Telnet PAC
Via NULIS web pages, or dedicated terminals in Learning Centres
Non-graphical
Short Loan booking facility
Not being further developed
Accessing the Catalogue
NULIS - Craiglockhart Learning CentrePublic Access Catalogue
Have you tried WebPAC? http://webpac.napier.ac.uk
* * * Napier University Learning Information Services * * *
The TelnetPAC can be used to access a variety of information services, in addition
to searching the catalogue
1. Search the catalogue 2. Short Loans Collection 3. Check your personal information 4. Queries, comments and suggestions 5. Quit Searching
Enter your selection(s) and press <Enter> : S=Shortcut on, BB=Bulletin Board, ?=Help
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Catalogues of other Libraries– e.g. COPAC, OPAC 97, SALSER
BNB on CD-ROM – British National Bibliography:
Books published since 1950 and
held at the British Library
Other catalogues
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Don’t forget...
Online bookstores– www.amazon.co.uk
– http://www.bookshop.co.uk/
Textbooks– Most authors will list their sources
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Articles on the latest news, trends and research
Letters / opinion
Job vacancies
Equipment
Meetings, conferences, courses
Contacts Subject matter and level do vary
Currency is their strength
Why use journals?
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Journals (cont)
Academic/Professional
Primary research
Authors identified
Refereed
Specialised topics
Notice of work in
progress
Foster debate
Commercial
Interpret developments
Anonymous
Not (usually) refereed
Readable & inexpensive
News & current
developments
Profit making
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
The NULIS catalogue lists journal titles only. Use
abstracts & indexes to find relevant journal articles.
Most are available as searchable databases.
Search by keyword or author - quicker & easier than
browsing the shelves!
Retrieve bibliographic details and an abstract for each
article indexed.
Refers you to journals you might not have considered.
Abstracts & Indexes
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Title: Internet Scrapbook
Author: Fay, D.
Ref: Byte, Apr 1997, pg 23-28
Abstract: This article describes an intelligent
Web browsing system called Internet Scrapbook,
which allows users to automate repetitive browsing
tasks...
Subjects: Internet, Browsing, Automation
Example of an abstract
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Ei Compendex
All aspects of engineering and computing
Indexes 2600+ journals, conference
proceeding and technical reports
Currently c. 3million records
Requires ATHENS username & password
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Inspec
Physics, electrical engineering, electronics,
communications, control engineering, and
computing
Indexes journal articles, conference
proceedings, reports, dissertations, patents
and books from 1969 onwards
Currently c. 5 million records
Requires ATHENS username & password
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Web of Science Subject coverage:
– Social Sciences Citation Index
– Science Citation Index
– Arts & Humanities Citation Index
– Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings
Indexes journal articles, editorials, letters, conference proceedings book reviews etc.
Search by keyword/author, or search for references which cite a particular author, article, or book. Requires ATHENS username & password
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Cambridge Scientific Abstracts
Umbrella service for 30+ databases
Subject coverage includes computing,
engineering, and science
Indexes journals, conference papers,
and reports
Requires ATHENS username & password
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
ANTE
Computing, electronics, engineering,
(including construction, electrical, and
chemical engineering), biotechnology,
and medical technology)
Indexes 350+ journals
Currently c. 14,000 records
Access via Internet http://www.antenet.co.uk Username = napuniv Password = ana078
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Computer Science Library (Anbar)
All aspects of computing
Indexes 200+ journals
Currently c, 30,000 records
– Username = napier
– Password = library
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
IngentaJournals
This multidisciplinary database indexes
and abstracts articles from over 2,500
journals
Incorporates full-text links to a number of
engineering and computing journals
Requires ATHENS username & password
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
An ATHENS username & password are required for access to most of these databases
User name = nap + matriculation number
e.g. nap99101305
Password = Student NT password + 1st two
digits of matriculation number
e.g. XYGH99
Full details from the Services link on the NULIS homepage
ATHENS username & password
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Finding conference papers
Index of Conference Proceedings
Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings
(via Web of Science)
Abstracts & Indexes (see previous slides)
ACM Guide to Computing Literature
The Collection of Computer Science
Bibliographies
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Finding theses/research in progress
Index to theses of GB and Ireland– http://www.theses.com/
BEST – Building Expertise in Science & Technology,
incorporating Current research in Britain– access via a standalone PC at Merchiston
Learning Centre
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Finding standardsand patents
Technical Indexes: British Standards– Index to UK standards– full text held on microfiche
Standards Infodisk– 200,000 national and international standards
EEVL – Select Resource Type, Patents/Standards– 87 resources at the last count!
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
EEVL Information Gateway
Higher Education
Societies & Institutions
Companies
Government
E-Journals
Discussion Lists
Directories
Reference
Recruitment
Patents & Standards
Research Projects
Software
Library CataloguesConference announcements
Coverage
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Finding software
Hensa– The Higher Education National Software
Archives http://www.mirror.ac.uk/
EEVL – Select Resource type, Software– 218 resources at the last count!
Search engines
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Finding company and industry information
Company/Professional association websites
Company directories (Ref Collection of Learning Centres)
Computergram (Web)
– news from & about the computing industry
ABI Inform global (Web)
– full text journal articles (business and IT)
Mintel Marketing Intelligence (NULERN) – consumer market research reports
Newspapers (Learning Centres & NULERN)
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Finding Internet resources
Search Engines e.g. AltaVista
Directories e.g Yahoo
NULIS Catalogue
NULIS Web pages– Subject guides
– Information Gateways
Subject based links to Web sites vetted by experts. Consult the Internet Resources section of the NULIS Subject Guides for a list of gateways in your subject area.
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Electronic Searching
Free text searches the whole record Field search title/abstract/author Thesaurus/Index controlled vocabulary Boolean
and = both terms
or = either 1st or 2nd term
not = find 1st but not 2nd term
Truncation comput* Wildcard organi?ation Proximity satellite w/3 wireless
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Is the item available at NULIS?
Most of these search tools
cover hundreds of sources.
Always check the NULIS Catalogue to find out if the
item is available
at NULIS.
Napier University
WebPACCatalogue
New search
Previous searches
Guided search
Advanced search
Personal information
WebPAC help
NULIS home page
Short loans
Questions & answers
Catalogue New Search
WebPAC allows you to search for all print,audiovisual and electronic materials held in NULIS
stock or accessible via the University network
Select your type of search Serial or journal title in alpha
Enter your search terms
Search Clear Search Settings
?STOP
If we don’t hold the item you require, we may be able to arrange access to another library, or obtain material on inter-library loan. Ask NULIS staff for further details.
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
External Sources
Company Libraries Public Libraries Government
Libraries Academic Libraries Nat. Library of
Scotland Trade/Research
Assocs. Special Libraries
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
SALSER
Scottish Academic Libraries SerialsLists the journal holdings of Scottish
university libraries + National Library of Scotland + major public libraries
Search by Library group/areaSearch by title/keywordWho holds what?Links through to relevant catalogue
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Inter-Library Loans
Items obtained from the British Library:
Be sure you want them
Get them countersigned
Prioritise them Batch your requests Allow plenty of
time...
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Bibliographies
A bibliography is a list of books, journal articles, reports, theses and any other material consulted during the preparation of a report (or essay, project, article or any other new document)
Purpose:To acknowledge the
sources consultedTo enable other
readers to access the material themselves
To provide an overview of the literature relating to the topic
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Useful Publications
NULIS basics…How to use... Information
skills...e.g. Literature Searching, Bibs. & References
Services & collections...
Edinburgh Libraries
Napier UniversityLearning Information Services
Research SkillsFaculty of Engineering and
Computing - 2000
Remember...
Think about what you want
Structure how you get it
Keep notes of references
Extend search beyond this Library
Allow plenty of time