This document provides information and guidance on finding and evaluating information for academic research. It introduces several library resources available at the university such as Summon, which allows users to search all print and electronic materials, and Google Scholar, a tool for finding scholarly literature. It emphasizes exploring the resources provided and not relying solely on Google. The document also outlines techniques for searching databases more effectively using operators and limits. Finally, it discusses important criteria for evaluating information sources, including authority, relevance, intent, objectivity, and currency.

1. Finding information and Inspiration
http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/library-and-it-support
BA/BSc Product Design Feb 2018

2. Today we will look at..
• Finding information and inspiration
• Evaluating information

3. Accessing library resources
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary

4. Summon
MyUniHub > MyStudy > MyLibrary > Summon
Abstract
Search all MDX print
and electronic
resources.
Use to find information
on a subject.

5. More to life than Google
• Explore the resources you have been given
• Prepare a short presentation
• Include:
• What is it?
• Useful/interesting features
• Limitations
• How you could use this resource in your studies

6. USA OR America (broaden search)
design* (broaden search eg. Design, designers, designing etc)
“Festival of Britain” (phrase search)
+Ideo or “IDEO” (exact match)
Define: “paper prototyping” (definition)
Jaguar -Cat (exclude words)
Related:http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/ (find similar sites)
Scandinavian site: design (find a subject in specific types of sites)
“Scandinavian design” site: ac (find a subject within academic websites)
Google: smarter searching
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_miley/2614472057/
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/SearchTips

7. Google: copyright free images
Tools
Labelled for reuse

8. Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.co.uk/
You may be
able to access
the full-text
here
Refine your
search
results here
Create an
alert for your
search, so
you can
keep up-to-
date with
new
publications
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/Internet

9. Evaluating information
Imagine you are writing an essay on Robots
Have a look at the 4 items that you have been given and
consider the following:
• Which item is the most relevant to your essay?
• Which item would be no use?
• Which item has the most academic authority?
• Are any of the items biased?
• Which item is the most current?

10. • Authority
• Relevance
• Intent
• Objectivity
• Currency
Evaluating information

11. Need further help?
Your Librarian is:
Vanessa Hill v.hill@mdx.ac.uk
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/pdde/Help