Resources for product design students

1. Thinking
about resources
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/library

2. The Library provides a range of resources to
support your research and study including:
• Books
• Academic journals
• Conference proceedings
• Newspapers
• Magazines (trade journals)
• Objects
Library resources

3. This guide will help you think about:
• The differences between resources
• How you can use them in your academic work
• What they are good for
• What they are not so good for
Using the right information source

4. Books are……
A printed or electronic work of fiction or fact.
Could be a one-off publication or occasionally
updated.

5. Books provide…..
• An overview of a subject and background
information
• Quality (edited) information
• Information written by experts
But…..
• Information can be out-of-date
• May not be specific or focussed enough

6. Newspapers are…..
A regular publication containing news about current
events, plus informative articles, diverse features
and advertising.

7. Newspapers provide…..
•Daily news and up-to-date information
•Information which is edited for accuracy
•Current issues are readily available
•Useful adverts for jobs, events, new products etc
But…..
•Information can be bias eg. political
•Articles can be sensationalist
•Older issues can be hard to find

8. Academic Journals are…..
A regular publication containing substantial articles
on a particular academic subject area.

9. Academic Journals provide…..
•Up-to-date information
•Information which is focussed
•Latest ideas, developments and research
•Written by experts to a high academic standard
•Peer-reviewed articles
But…..
•Information can be very specific
•May be difficult to understand
•Expensive

10. Conference proceedings are…..
A collection of academic papers distributed after a
conference, containing the contributions made by
researchers, academics etc.

11. Conference proceedings
provide…..
•Up-to-date, quality information
•Focussed and detailed papers/articles
•Latest ideas and research on a subject
•Stringent selection process, so quality assured
But…...
•Information may be hard to understand
•Can be difficult to locate or obtain

12. Magazines are…..
A regular publication containing news, updates,
features and advertising.
Aimed at a profession, business sector or hobby.

13. Magazines provide…..
•The latest news
•Concise information
•Useful adverts for jobs, events, new products etc
But…..
•Articles may lack detail
•Information can be bias e.g. adverts/sponsorship
•Old issues may be hard to find

14. Objects are…..
A material thing that can be seen and handled.

15. Objects provide…..
•Inspiration and ideas
•A sensory experience (visual/tactile)
But…..
•Can be a bit random
•They may lack provenance or context
•Can be difficult to locate and view
•Access might be restricted

16. Have a look at our MyLibrary Subject Guides to
find out more about the resources we offer:
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde

17. MyLibrary Subject Guides…..
•Provide information on subject specific resources
•Available for all subjects taught at Middlesex University
•Course specific and user guides also available
•Access: MyUniHub >MyStudy >MyLibrary
•http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk

18. Other Resources….
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/specialcollsMaterials Room @ Hendon
The Library also contains a number of Special
collections which can support and inspire your study,
research and design. Find out more:

19. Need further help?
Contact your Librarian:
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/liaisonlibrarians
Make an appointment:
http://bit.ly/MakeAnAppointmentLibrarians
VH July 2019