This document provides an overview and comparison of different types of resources for research. It discusses books, web pages, newspapers, academic journals, trade journals/magazines, and objects. For each it describes what they are, whether they can be electronic, and when they are good and not as good to use. The goal is to help understand what resources are available and when each should be used for background information, up-to-date content, detailed reports, sensory experiences and more. Contact information is provided for getting further library assistance.

1. Getting started: resources
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/library-and-it-support
Oct 2015

2. In this workshop we will look at..
• What we have
• Why we have them
• What to use and when
Image by Aubergene

3. Thinking about resources

4. Books
What are they:
A written or printed work of fiction or fact.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Background information and inspiration.
Not so good for:
Up to date information.

5. Web page
What are they:
An information resource which can be easily created by
anyone on any topic.
Electronic.
Good for:
Very up to date information.
Not so good for:
Accurate and reliable information.

6. Newspaper
What are they:
A regular publication containing current events,
informative and diverse articles and advertising.
May be electronic.
Good for:
Daily information.
Not so good for:
Balanced and well researched information.

7. Academic Journal
What are they:
A regular publication containing articles on a particular
academic subject. Presents new research.
Maybe electronic.
Good for:
Latest research, critically reviewed
by experts.
Not so good for:
Broad overview of a subject.

8. Trade Journal or Magazine
What are they:
A regular publication containing news, jobs, products,
events and advertising.
Aimed at a profession, business sector or interest.
Good for:
Focussed up-to-date information.
Not so good for:
Detailed and objective reports.

9. Objects
What are they:
A material thing that can be seen and handled.
Good for:
Inspiration, ideas and sensory experience.
Not so good for:
Detailed information, context
and facts.

10. Find out more
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > My Subject > Science & Technology
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/PDDE

11. Other collections

12. You asked, we got

13. Special Collections Guide
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/specialcolls

14. Coming up……
•Basic search skills
•Using academic resources

15. Need further help?
Your Librarian is:
Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk