ma in higher education: library & information skills
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Learning Resources
Institute for Work Based Learning DProfsLibrary Induction
Nazlin Bhimani, School Liaison Manager (EIS & iWBL)
Aims
The aim of this workshop is to introduce you to:• Learning Resources services and facilities
including DLSU• Resources including Library catalogue and
especially Electronic Resources• Basic research skills and importance of
evaluation
The purpose of research
• All research is undertaken for a reason ie. there is a question or problem that needs answering or resolving.
• The purpose of the research will affect how it is carried out.• Different subject areas favour and require different methods of research such as quantitative, qualitative, scientific, evaluative, action, case study, experimental etc. • There are a number of books available in the library that will
help you identify the methodology that is best suited for your research.
However, in order to carry out good quality research, there arecommon skills which should be utilised irrespective of theresearch method. These are:
• Systematic ie. logical, careful and orderly• Purposeful ie. for an identified purpose• Organised ie. structured and efficient• Critical ie. careful evaluation and judgment• Analytical ie. inquisitive examination of the facts• Able to communicate findings effectively ie. careful citation
and referencing
Basic Research Skills (literature search)
In order to get the best results from your research,you need to think about the following:
What do I need to find out? Why do I need this information? When do I need the information by? How am I going to find the information? Where am I going to find the information? Who created this information?
How am I going to find the information? ie. plan your search strategy
It is useful to start your research (literature search) by:• Thinking about the questions that needs to be asked in order
to find the information required• Outlining the main areas of interest, concepts, questions etc• Considering the scope of your subject and set limits if
appropriate• Background reading and brainstorming will help you to
understand your subject, make connections, and gather keywords (search terms)
• Consider search terms (alternative, broader, narrower) and related subjects.
Knowledge Management
Corporate
Individual
Dimensions of Knowledge
Organisational objectives
Competitive advantage
Innovation
Work Based Learning
Professional training and mentoring
programmes
On-the-job peer training & discussion
Personal development
Job satisfaction
Staff development
Improved performance
Increased productivity
Tacit
Explicit
Subconscious
Internalised
Conscious
Enhanced skills
Trainer
Codified knowledge
Formal apprenticeship
Learning process
CaptureCreation
Reuse
Research skills
Professional development
Share and transfer
Experience
Qualification
Continuous improvement
Targets
Where am I going to find the information?
• Primary and Secondary sources• Internet• LR website www.lr.mdx.ac.uk:
o The Library Catalogue (books, journals, DVD/video, dissertations etc)
o Library Subject Guides o Electronic Databases o Electronic Journalso Electronic Bookso Electronic Newspapers
Library Catalogue
Electronic Journals
Electronic Resources
Library Subject Guide
Internet: Subject portals search engines
Use these resources to find quality informationon the internet:Intute http://www.intute.ac.uk/Pinakes http://www.hw.ac.uk/libwww/irn/pinakes/pinakes.htmlAlacra Wiki http://www.alacrawiki.com/ (business and marketing)Scirus http://www.scirus.com/srsapp/ (scientific)Google Blog Search http://blogsearch.google.com/Healia http://www.healia.com/? (medical)Quintura http://www.quintura.com/MetaCrawler http://www.metacrawler.com/metacrawler/ws/indexSearch Cube http://www.search-cube.com/http://www.philb.com/webse.htm
Who created this information: Evaluation
• It is important to evaluate your search results for relevance and quality ie. Is it what you need and is it trustworthy?
• This is especially important when using the Internet.
• Consider the following.....
• Authority : Who is the author/site creator? Does the site originate from an organisation or an individual? What is their knowledge base, qualifications etc?
• Relevance : Is this what I need? Will it answer my question? Is it at the right level?
• Intent : What is the purpose of website/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? Is the site regularly maintained? Do the links work?
Keeping Current
• Setting up email alerts of journal table of contents http://zetoc.mimas.ac.uk/
• RSS Feeds – Blogs, websites, journals, databases
• Organisations relevant to the subject area• Online newsletters• Mailing lists e.g. JISC• Twitter http://twitter.com/wblmdxlibrarian
Help & SupportHelp and support is available from Learning Resources:
Your subject support librarians are :Nazlin Bhimani [email protected] Hill [email protected]
Learning Resources provides a comprehensive collection of guides and helpsheets. These can be found on the Learning Resources website www.lr.mdx.ac.uk
You can log calls on the http://webhelpdesk.mdx.ac.uk and get an email response to your query.