The document provides an overview of research skills and how to conduct a literature review. It discusses the purpose and components of a literature review, different types of information sources, how to search for information, and strategies for organizing references. Databases like Compendex, EBSCOHost and Nexis UK are recommended for subject-specific searches. Keeping references organized using RefWorks is also covered.

1. Research Skills: The Literature Review Information and how to find it

2. Research Skills Introduction to Library and using the Library catalogue The Literature review and searching for information Writing up: Plagiarism, citing and referencing

3. A bit about me… MA (Hons) English Literature and History MSc Information and Library Studies MA Academic Practice Desk Research at Scottish Enterprise supporting new businesses Librarian at business school Librarian supporting Engineering and Maths

4. Research skills are skills in their own rights

5. What we’re going to cover… The literature review – what’s it all about? Different types of information – the good, the less good and the terrible Hands on – Searching for information

6. What is a literature review? Comprehensive and systematic review of published material on a particular topic or subject of interest Contains data, ideas and evidence that are interpreted and evaluated to support your research proposal, aims and chosen methodologies

7. Why bother? Demonstrate your understanding of the subject Places your own work in context Support your arguments and theories

8. What are the main questions and problems that have been addressed to date? What are the key theories, concepts and ideas? What are the origins and definitions of the topic? What are the major issues and debates about the topic? What are the key sources? Literature search and review on your topic Based on Hart, Chris (1998) Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science research imagination . London: Sage, Figure 1.2, p.14 Where is there still work/research to be done?

9. What is plagiarism? What is information?

10. RESEARCH Academic institutions Government Associations Professional bodies Companies Individuals Charities INFORMATION COMMUNICATED VIA… Conference papers Reports Press releases Journals Lectures Meetings Newsletters and newspapers Seminars Textbooks Theses FOUND IN… Abstracting databases Catalogues Encyclopaedias Indexes Dictionaries and directories Bibliographies ACCESSED… Hard copy Electronically Based on Hart, Chris (1998) Doing a literature review: Releasing the social science research imagination . London: Sage, Figure 1.1, p. 4

11. What is plagiarism? Where does information live?

12. Where does information live? Websites University research groups Company websites Professional bodies and organisations’ websites Interest groups Think tanks

13. Where does information live? Blogs Newspapers Reports Standards Conference proceedings Poster sessions Radio and television programmes Webinars Trade publications and magazines

14. Where does information live? PhD theses Market research Company annual reports and information Databases Textbooks Journal articles

15. ‘ Good’ information… Peer reviewed Authoritative Journals Well respected organisations Government and academic websites Books

16. ‘ Bad’ information… Unsubstantiated Not referenced properly Don’t know who wrote it or when it was written Wikipedia That guy that sits at the back of the class talking The random powerpoint you found online Anything you would not want your tutor to know you’ve used…

17. Planning your search Define your topic Think about the scope What are your outcomes? How will you keep a record of your findings? Plan what sources you’re going to use Start searching!

18. Be a detective… Look at references of other articles Bibliographies in book chapters Citation searches Jot down any good key words or expressions Identify who the key authors are Have a look at the shelves – what else is there?

19. Search strategy Keywords, phrases, concepts Synonyms

20. Where are you going to look? Look at references of other articles Bibliographies in book chapters Online Internet? What are you going to use to search? What are you looking for? Databases? Which ones? How are you going to access the materials?

21. A suggested plan… Start off with the Library catalogue Check out any references from previous reading Search in selected databases for specific types of material Academic information Company information Trade publications Market research Newspaper articles Standards Search online targeting particular types of information

22. After the break… Google vs Google Scholar vs Databases… Databases: Hands on practise and tips Compendex (Engineering abstracts) EBSCOHost (Full text articles, business and trade publications) Nexis UK (Newspaper articles) Keeping your references together - RefWorks

23. What is plagiarism? Google vs Google Scholar vs Databases

24. Task Open up three windows In one window, open up Google ( www.google.co.uk ) In another, open up Google Scholar ( http://scholar.google.com ) Think of a keyword for your topic, and enter the same search in both Google and Google Scholar. If you’re stuck, try searching for ‘concrete bridges’

25. Hints and tips: Google Use Google Scholar for more academic type content Remember, that you’re still searching the Internet – check the quality! Who, when, why… Add Full text @ City University and RefWorks in the preferences Use ‘quotation marks’ to search for a phrase Do as many searches as you want Use to discover references – and check in the Library catalogue to see if we have them

26. Databases or, the buried treasure Good quality Expensive Exclusive

27. What databases are best for me? Engineering - Compendex, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, Science Direct, Emerald, BSI Eurocodes, Business Source Complete Business/management – Business Source Complete, Emerald, Science Direct Trade publications – Business Source Complete News – Nexis UK Company research – FAME, Nexis UK Market Research - Business Source Complete, Global Insight, Business Insights This is not exhaustive!

28. Abstracts and full text Abstract Gives you all the information you need to track down the reference – title, author, name of publication, date published and a paragraph explaining what the paper is about Full text Click through to the version of the article that you can read online

29. Task In the third window, go to the Library catalogue ( http://library.city.ac.uk ) Search for ‘Compendex’ Follow the links through Log in using the last 8 digits of your Library barcode and your PIN Enter the same search on the database

30. Hints and tips: Compendex Use the tools on the right hand side to refine your search Create a personal account to save your searches and alerts Always go back to the Library catalogue to see if we have access to the material (in print or online)

31. Task Go to the Library catalogue ( http://library.city.ac.uk ) Search for ‘EBSCOHost’ Add the databases that you want to search Enter the same search on the database

32. Hints and tips: EBSCOHost Can search multiple databases on EBSCO and can get full text Refine your search using the left and right hand menus Again, check the Library catalogue for material that we don’t have full text on the database for You can personalise the search by creating your own log in.

33. Task Go to the Library catalogue ( http://library.city.ac.uk ) Search for ‘Nexis UK’ Enter a search for a news story you want to know more about

34. Hints and tips: Nexis UK Great for global trade and press news You can email your results directly You can only return 3,000 results – so check the date Use ‘Major Work Publications’ Use the help to make use of the more advanced search features

35. RefWorks A way of keeping all your references in one place Works as a direct export from some of the databases Works from Google Scholar and the Library catalogue too! Saves all the necessary information you will need… … and then formats the bibliography for you at the end. www.refworks.com

36. For more information See ‘Upgrade’ available to you in CitySpace Check out http://engineeringandmaths.wordpress.com ( and see page on Online Guides and tutorials) for subject related handout you can print off

37. Next time… Putting it all together… Avoiding plagiarism Citing and referencing

38. Thanks! Any questions? Catherine Davies [email_address]

39. ‘ Macro shot of computer circuit board’ by jcolman http://www.flickr.com/photos/jcolman/3018240090/ ‘ 189: Sleeping Satellite’ by practicalowl http://www.flickr.com/photos/practicalowl/3707338094/ ‘ iPhone’ by William Hook http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhook/2830322349/ ‘ Buried Treasure: Caching’ by SonnyandSandy http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonnyandsandy/3457885483/