Information skills for research

CCM4901

http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

In this workshop we will look at...• How to find information for your project

• Developing an effective search strategy

• Resources available and how to use them

• Evaluating information for quality and relevance

• Using information ethically and avoiding plagiarism

Using the right information source

Thinking about keywords

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossjamesparker/89414788/

The real thing

• Keywords

• Alternative keywords

• More specific keywords

• Related subjects

• Narrow search eg. data AND security

• Widen search eg. USA OR America

• Exclude words eg. Computer games NOT video

• Search for phrases eg. “human computer interaction”

• Broaden search eg. comput* (finds computer, computing, computerization, computers etc)

• Find different spellings eg. organi?ation (finds organisation and organization)

• Include and exclude terms (Internet) eg. +network -security

Search tips

So far so good

So far we’ve looked at:

• The range of resources available

• Choosing the right resource

• Coming up with useful keywords

• Streamlining your search

Next:

• Searching, evaluating and avoiding plagiarism

Accessing resources http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

Select Databases and search for information for your project using ACM Digital Library, Computer Source, IEEE Xplore and Summon.

Why use a journal database?• Access to quality information

• Information not available elsewhere

• Up-to-date

• Focussed/specific

• Full-text access

• Access on/off campus

• Personalize

• Citation and journal impact info

Citation indexes• Which articles have cited an earlier article

• Find articles on similar/related subject

• How many times an article has been cited

• Best journals in your field

Web of Sciencehttp://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

Library Subject Guides http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/eis

• Authority : Who is the author? What is their knowledge base/qualifications? How have they carried out their research?

• Relevance : Is this what I need? Will it answer my question? Is it at the right level?

• Intent : What is the purpose of information e.g. financial gain, propaganda, academic etc?

• Objectivity : Balanced view? Opposing views represented? Links to supporting information?

• Currency: How old is this information? When was it last updated and by whom?

Evaluating information

Keeping up-to-date with your subject

• Journal databases

• Zetoc Alert

• CiteuLike

• TicTOC

More information on Library Subject Guide: http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

But it’s not in the Library!

• Inter Library Loans

• Sconul Access

• Other libraries

• More information:

http://bit.ly/CSotherlibs

http://bit.ly/visitingotherlibraries

http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

What is Plagiarism?• Copying or re-wording someone else's work (ideas, words, diagrams or pictures) without acknowledging that they are not your own

• Copying work from another student – even with permission from that person

• Using your own previous work in another assignment without acknowledging it

• A form of cheating and a serious academic offence

German Defence Minister Guttenberg resigns over thesis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12608083

How to avoid Plagiarism

• Always acknowledge someone else’s work

• Quote and paraphrase

• Use references and citations

• More info http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

Reasons to get it right

• Evidence of reading around your subject

• Supports your discussion and arguments 

• Paraphrasing shows you understand the subject

• Demonstrates that you can analyse and evaluate

• Enables others to find your references

• Get better marks

Managing your references• Use bibliographic management software

• RefWorks

• http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

• More information mps001@chowgules.ac.in

Referencing and Plagiarism http://www.chowgule/jsp/departments/library_website/homepage.jsp

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/plagiarismreferencing

Keeping Current

• Facebook Learning Resources Center

• Chowgule College Library App (Android, Blackberry, iPhone)

Need further help?

Your Librarians are :

M.P. Shivali - mps001@chowgules.ac.in