Information Skills Roisin Guilfoyle

Workshop Outline Search strategy Information resources –Google –Academic Search Premier Managing References

Learning Outcomes You will be able to: Devise search strategy Identify the resources you need Access the appropriate resources Find the relevant information Evaluate information

The Research Process Where to begin…

Beginning to search… –Background reading –Define your topic –Narrow focus –Identify concepts –Identify keywords

Searching Basics Initial search Structure search (resources) Keep history & records Manage references

Identifying Keywords Sample Search Strategy Energy efficiency in commercial office buildings : an Irish perspective Concept AConcept BConcept C ???

Identifying Keywords Sample Search Strategy Energy efficiency in commercial office buildings : an Irish perspective Concept AConcept BConcept C Energy efficiency commercial office buildings Irish perspective

Identifying Keywords Sample Energy efficiency in commercial office buildings : an Irish perspective Energy efficiency commercial office buildings Irish Energy efficient Green energy Efficient energy Sustainable energy Alternative fuels/energy Office building/s Commercial building/s Building design Exchange building/s Public building/s Ireland European

Finding alternative keywords Thesaurus/Dictionaries Databases Journal articles Books

Tips for Searching with Keywords Find alternative keywords Link terms with Boolean search operators (AND/OR/NOT) Americanisms, plurals, etc Wildcard/truncation Use advanced search features Don’t use: –Generic terms –Terms with alternative meanings –Sentences Remember to keep a search log Evaluate results

Where to start Library catalogues Full-text electronic journals/databases Printed & electronic index/abstracts Bibliographies Subject Gateways COPAC ZETOC Citation Index Internet

Google Quick Easy to access Easy to use Lots of material Covers lots of subjects Usually lots of free stuff Can retrieve thousands of results Not usually peered reviewed Not quite sure how material is retrieved (commercial interests??)

Why use a database Retrieve quality information quickly Simultaneously search 100s of journals Peered reviewed material Access to journal archives Can allow access to subscription material

Contents of a Database Articles from scholarly journals Newspapers Conference proceedings E-books Also.. –Legislative information –Biographical information, statistics. etc

Database Features Basic and advanced searching Thesaurus Index Select parameters Keyword and descriptors Help menu Search tips Save and search results Alerts Export to bibliographic management software

Evaluating Results Are too many? Are there too few? No hits? Look at the titles Look at the abstracts Are they relevant? Do you need to expand or narrow the focus of your search? Do you need adjust your search strategy?

The Research Process Initial search –Browse library section –Background reading Define research question/topic Select resources Keep history & records Manage references –Endnote

To recap.. Develop a search strategy Select information resources Evaluate results Manage references