Information skills for research

1. Information skills for research
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/library
PDE3330 Sept 2021

2. In this workshop we will look at..
• Resources
• Keywords
• Searching
• Evaluating
• Find out more
Image credit: http://www.powerfulinformation.org/objects/pi/OverloadCartoon2.jpg

3. Ideas
Facts
Figures
Theories
Imagination
Inspiration

4. Assessment criteria
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/writing-numeracy

5. Thinking about resources
Have a go: https://ispri.ng/639LW

6. Thinking about keywords

7. Footballer
Food
Manchester
Poverty
Campaigner
Guess who?

8. Have a go:
• In your groups choose a famous person
• Think of 5 words (not phrases) to describe them
• Nominate a spokesperson to report back

9. Developing a search strategy
• Topic
• What?
• Where?
• Keywords
Improving your search: https://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/Help

10. Streamlining your search
Phot credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_miley/2614472057/
Design*
“Project management”
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/SearchTips

11. Too many search results
• Add more keywords to narrow down your
search results
• Be more specific
• Search for an "exact phrase"
• Add limits

12. Not enough results
• Use alternative keywords
• Be less specific
• Split the question into individual concepts
• Use an asterisk to search for variations of the
same word

13. MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary
Access library resources and services

14. MyLibrary
Library Search
Databases
MySubject Library Guides
Inter Library Loans

15. Library Search
Sign-in to check your library
record, request items, create
lists, save searches and create
alerts..
Click on ‘Sign-in’,
choose
‘Middlesex
University’ and
use your
university email
address.

16. Library Search: Finding information
….type your search terms
(keywords) into the
search box e.g. Project
Management and click on
the ‘search icon’.
Library Search automatically searches for ‘All resources’ (print and
electronic) i.e. books, journal titles, journal articles etc. Use the
drop-down menu to focus your search or select ‘Available online’
only.

17. Library Search: Other features
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/LibrarySearch

18. Discover more sources

19. Google vs Library Search
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ennuiislife/3450743002/
• Easy to use
• Information bubble
• Search results sponsored
• Any source
• Pay for access
• Easy to use
• Finds information
• Search results by relevance
• Quality sources
• Free access
Library Search help:
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/LibrarySearch

20. Google Scholar
You may be able to
access the full-text here
e.g. this is available on
open access.
Refine your
search
results here.
Create an alert for your search,
so you can keep up-to-date
with new publications.
Link to MDX resources: > Settings > Library Links > Search for MDX and save.
http://scholar.google.co.uk/

21. Google Scholar: Useful features
Full text available
from Middlesex
Uni and/or other
sources.
Click on author’s name (if underlined)
to view profile and check for more
research by the author on the same
topic.
Click on ‘Cited by’
to see other articles
that have cited this
article.
‘All versions’: The same article
on other websites – sometimes
useful for getting full text if not
available from MDX.
Create a Harvard
reference or
export to
RefWorks.

22. https://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/SpecialistDatabases
Specialist Databases
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases
Choose a subject area
from drop-down menu
or click on alphabet if
you know the resource
you require.

23. More to life than Google
• Go to:
https://padlet.com/HendonMDX/resources3330
• Have a look at the 6 resources
• Vote for favourites
• Add a comment
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases

24. • Bloomsbury Design Library
• Box of Broadcasts
• Britannica (Encyclopedia)
• Global Newsstream
• Google Scholar
• Kanopy
• Library Search
Resources
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases

25. Materials Room
https://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/specialcolls

26. It’s not in the Library!
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Inter Library Loans
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/library/study-and-research-resources/inter-library-loans

27. https://padlet.com/HendonMDX/Evaluating3330

28. • Relevance
• Expertise
• Viewpoint
• Intended audience
• Evidence
• When Published
REVIEW your information

29. Cite Them Right Online
myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases > C
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/plagiarismreferencing

30. LinkedIn Learning https://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/linkedinlearning
LinkedIn Learning
myUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Databases > L

31. Find out more
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > MySubject LibraryGuides > Art and Design
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/PDDE

32. Your Librarian is:
Your Librarian https://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/VanessaHill
Vanessa Hill
v.hill@mdx.ac.uk
Need further help?