This document provides information on finding and managing academic information. It discusses using the library catalog and databases to search for quality information on a topic. Specialized resources like standards, conferences, and theses are important to stay up-to-date. Managing information includes maintaining academic integrity and using EndNote to organize references. Developing an effective search strategy with keywords, limits, and combining terms is key to conducting a thorough literature review without being overwhelmed by information. The document recommends starting searches in the library catalog and subject-specific databases, and provides examples of useful websites and resources for the marine engineering field. It also lists upcoming lectures and workshops being offered by the university library on specialized resources, keeping current, and using EndNote.

1. Finding and managing
academic information
MST8011:
Finding and
Managing
academic
information
Moira Bent
Faculty Liaison
University Library
Librarian

2. Programme
 Finding Information/ Search strategy
 Library catalogue
 Academic internet
 Databases and EJs for quality information
 Specialist resources/Keeping up to date/Social media
 Standards, conferences & theses
 Keeping up to date
 Email alerts
 RSS feeds
 Managing Information
 Academic integrity
 EndNote
University Library

3. Literature reviews – essential for projects
Inform your research Contextualise your Identify gaps
work
Summarise, synthesise, Track key
critically evaluate issues/debates/people
Pic credit: Flickr Commons: US National Archives; Microsoft clipart

4. It needs to
be
thorough….
…but
selective
(CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) flickr.com/photos/sunlightfoundation/2385174105

5. Information overload?
Maps
Experimental data
Books
Chemical
and
Government reports
Internet E-Books physical
data
Information
resources
Commercial material Digital images
Journal
Theses
articles
Statistical data
Conf
Papers
University Library

6. Don’t sink under
the weight of all
the information!
University Library

7. Having a search strategy keeps
you afloat
• Main
• Logical terms
approach
• Related
• Use proper terms
strategies Search
Keywords • Synonyms
Techniques
Limits Info type
• How much? • Primary data
• What date? • Secondary
• How quickly? sources
• Which language • Maps/images
University Library

8. Keywords – an example
“The environmental impact of terrorism at sea”
University Library

9. Keywords – an example
“The environmental impact of terrorism at sea”
Environmental
Terrorism Sea
impact
Disaster
pirates marine
prevention
Maritime
security Maritime
incidents
Catastrophes attack ocean
Environmental
protection offshore
effect
Environmental
safety
control
Environmental Defence/
management defense University Library

10. Search a
more
specialised
resource
More Found Apply
specific limits
search too (date, type
terms
much? etc)
Eg LIMIT to
Journal articles
after 2004
Combine
terms with
Eg terrorism ‘AND’
AND sea
Flickr Commons: LSE Library

11. Search a
less
specialised
resource
Use Can’t Truncate
different your
search find search
terms enough? terms
Eg Terror* finds terror,
terrorism, terrorist,
terrorists
Combine
Eg sea OR ocean OR marine terms with
‘OR’

12. Start
Narrow broad
down
Keep
refining
Recipe for success!

13. Maybe you’re
looking in the
wrong place
altogether?
Or perhaps it
doesn’t exist at
all?
Flickr Commons/LSE Library and (CC BY 2.0) flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/4812269151

14. LibrarySearch is a good place to start
Includes the library
catalogue and a range
of electronic resources
Full & mobile views

15. Use Library Search
 To find printed books in the Library
 To find electronic books
 To get a general overview of a topic
 To find a few journal references for an essay
DON’T rely on Library Search as the only source for your literature
review – not all our resources are included.
University Library

16. Use your Library Guide to identify
key databases:
libguides.ncl.ac.uk/marine

17. LibrarySearch is fab!
Why use specific databases?
 To download results to EndNote
 Compendex
 Unique content for marine engineering
 Set search alerts
 Scopus
 Unique content for engineering
 Set search alerts
 Search within results
 Knovel eBooks
 Interactive tables
University Library

18. Finding websites
http://www.intute.ac.uk
• Portal to quality information on the internet
• Resources selected by subject experts
• Provided for UK academic community
http://scholar.google.co.uk/
• Google’s search engine for academic literature
http://www.scirus.com
• Scientific search engine – filters out non-scientific sites
University Library

19. Now you have all
the info you
need – relax!
University Library

20. • For books on loan
• Place a “hold” on books which are on loan
Reserve • Borrow when book is returned
• For articles and conferences we don’t have
• Apply for an Inter Library Loan
Request • 50 requests @ £1.50
• New books to buy
• Books on Time system to recommend new
Recommend titles for purchase

21. Contact us....
Moira.bent@ncl.ac.uk
Lib-sage@ncl.ac.uk
@nulibsage
facebook.com/NULibraries
libguides.ncl.ac.uk/biology
Flickr the Commons: Smithsonian Institution

22. Things to do
7 steps on
Literature
the Project
search
tab of the
proforma
Library Guide
Online guidance and
printed handouts:
Marine Library Guide

23. Lectures and workshops
Lecture 2:
Fri 12 Oct 10.00-11.30 – ArmB 2.98
 Specialised resources: standards, conference, theses
 Keeping up to date/ social media
Workshops
Mon 15 Oct 10.00-11.30 ArmB 1.64
Mon 15 Oct 5.00-6.30 ArmB 1.64
Lecture 3:
Fri 19 Oct 10.00-11.30 ArmB 2.98
 EndNote
Workshop : Endnote:
Mon 22 Oct 10.00-11.30 ArmB 1.64
University Library