PRS4199 Essential library skills and beyond

Searching, retrieving information and locating library

materials

Kathy McGowankathy1@mdx.ac.uk

By the end of this session you should be able to:

Understand the range of library resources available to you.

Locate useful starting points such as the Learning Resources web pages and Subject Gateways

Be able to locate online subject databases to find out what has been published in journals.

Getting started

A good starting point is the LR web site: www.lr.mdx.ac.uk From here you will find links to:-

Library Catalogue - to see what is available at Middlesex University

Library Subject Guides - useful starting points and links created by your subject librarian

Electronic Resources - such as bibliographic databases and on-line journals

What kind of information should I use and where do I get it from?

Books

Middlesex University Library catalogue

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

May be available in print or available online. If available in print, catalogue will tell you which campus holds the journal.If available online, there will be a blue link from the catalogue record to the available online issues of the journal

Example

What kind of information do I use and where do I get it from?

Internet

Google Scholar

Google Advanced Search

Intute

Websites of government and international organisations, NGO’s, charities, professional bodies, academic sites etc

Evaluating Internet Resources - Questions to ask

Who has written the material?

Is this a reliable source?

Is it peer reviewed?

Is it accurate and up to date?

Principles of Literature Searching

Prepare a search strategy

Identify significant keywords

Identify related terms

Identify broader and narrower terms

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

How do I log in to use online journals and databases?

Most online journals and databases are subscription services which require you to log in as a member of a subscribing institution

This gives you access to the e-resources from home provided you have internet access

Your username and password will be the same ones you use to login to the Middlesex University Computer network

Saving a Cookie on your PC

Click here to save institutional cookie

Saving a Cookie on your PC

Or click here before you log into a resource

A useful database for Risk & OHS

This database gives up to date reports, guidance and regulations, including useful forms & checklists:

Barbour - full text health & safety, fire safety, food safety and environment and environmental health information

Barbour

Login using E-Resources username & password

Barbour Search Results

Selecting a document

Barbour Full Text

Other useful databases

Use these Databases to find out what journal articles have been published on your topic:

Geobase (SEM)

Science & Social Science Citation Indexes (All)

Science Direct – full text science database (All)

Ovid Journals(All)

Other full-text resources

Law databases: Lexis Library & Westlaw– full text access to

international case law and legislation

Newspapers: Proquest - full text UK newspaper articles

Science Citation Index (SCI) Search Screen

Combining Searches in SCI

SCI Results Screen

SCI results may not provide full text

But this time, we’re lucky...

Full Text

Science Direct

Restrict search to subscribed journals

Search results

The full text

If there’s time... Have a go at searching one of the

following databases:

Science Citation IndexScience DirectGeobaseOVID Journals

From www.lr.mdx.ac.uk , select Electronic Resources, then Databases

Remember:

Not all databases provide access to full-text journal articles

Use library catalogue/journals list to check availability

Some journals are also available in print – check library catalogue

You may use inter-library loan/other libraries

Now it’s your turnTry using:

Science Citation Index

Science Direct

Ovid Journals

SCONUL Access Scheme

SCONUL Access Scheme provides access to other academic libraries

To apply, ask at the enquiry desk

For more information:

http://www.sconul.ac.uk/using_other_libraries/access/

British Library Website

The British Library website has a link to its catalogue

You can use this to check if material you require is held at St Pancras Reading Rooms

Information on applying for a reader’s pass and the forms of ID required are on the website

http://www.bl.uk

Referencing For information on how to reference your work,

access the Risk, Health, Safety & Environment Library Subject Guide at: http://www.lr.mdx.ac.uk

Select Getting Started

Select Citation & Referencing guide: Natural Sciences

And finally...

Look on LR webpages www.lr.mdx.ac.uk

Password queries:http://webhelpdesk.mdx.ac.uk

Subject enquiries:Kathy McGowan

k.mcgowan@mdx.ac.uk