Information Literacy How to find literature & data Rick Vermunt, r.e.vermunt@vu.nl, 020 5987002
Content Introduction & preparing Finding Literature Finding & using data
Where to search: University Library Opening hours*: Monday - Thursday 9:00 – 19:00 Friday 9:00 – 17:00 2nd floor: Library Economics & Business Administration also 2nd floor: General services / Law / Psychology / Science / Earth- and Life Sciences / Social Sciences. 1B21: Help desk Data Center Monday 09.00-12.00 Wednesday + Friday 13.00-16.00
The library homepage is a good starting point http://www.ub.vu.nl The library homepage is a good starting point www.ub.vu.nl
Working from home www.ub.vu.nl
Finding literature
Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research Preparing Limitations and Suggestions for Future Research Look for (information on) a subject by doing a literature search Build on existing research (choose a different angle) Choose a practical subject from the field www.ub.vu.nl
Preparing Upside down pyramid What is my subject ? Determine the keywords Formulate a research question Determine the Research question www.ub.vu.nl
What we all do
Google Scholar Much information Ranks results Everything linked Strong points Weak points Much information Ranks results Everything linked Specific searches: articles Not everything / changes Ranking is a bias The Full-text link does not always work Subject searches: keywords
Formulate a problem or search query Search Strategy - Steps Select a subject Formulate a problem or search query Do you have literature references ? No Yes Building Blocks method Appropriate database Snowball method Appropriate database Search
Snowball method: Web of science
Snowball method - example www.ub.vu.nl
Snowball method - example www.ub.vu.nl
Snowball method - example www.ub.vu.nl
Snowball method – Google Scholar www.ub.vu.nl
Snowball method – Google Scholar www.ub.vu.nl
Snowball method – Google Scholar www.ub.vu.nl
The Library’s main portal
e-Library http://elibrary.vu.nl Simple Search Advanced Search 20 www.ub.vu.nl
Search for a book 21 www.ub.vu.nl
Search for a book: library catalogue 22 www.ub.vu.nl
E-Library article search www.ub.vu.nl
Better: look for articles in specific databases Use drop down to select
Relevant databases
Relevant databases 2
ABI/Inform : building blocks Word/subject list Suggestions while you type Specify your search field What does this mean? www.ub.vu.nl
ABI Inform www.ub.vu.nl
Business source elite
EBSCO: Business Source Elite Niet full text?
EBSCO: Business Source Elite
Finding & using data (sources)
Research question & Data Formulate a research question What was the influence of pay-performance relationship of CEOs of United States commercial banks on the financial crisis? What data do I need? What data / variables do I need? Is the data available?
What data is needed? Research question: CEO compensation: What was the influence of pay-performance relationship of CEOs of United States commercial banks on the financial crisis? CEO compensation: Cash Compensation: salary + bonus Total compensation: salary, bonus, restricted stock grants, stock option grants and all other compensation Firm performance: ROA (return on Assets) Total annual Excess Stock Return (TESR). Control variables: leverage ratio, firm size, Beta of the firm, number of board members and CEO change. Did I forget anything?
Main criteria for selection: What is the time frame of my research ? Time before the crisis: 2004-2006. Financial crisis: 2007-2008 Selection guidelines What type of data do I need? Financial data on com- mercial banks Executive remuneration data What is the geographical scope ?: United States
Which databases are relevant?
Which databases are relevant? Do I need several databases ? Do I need to combine datasets ? Do I need just one database ?
Using several databases Company identifiers Search 1 Data 1 Data 2 Search 2 Company identifiers: codes that uniquely identify a company in 1 or more databases
Combining data(sets) Company identifiers Data 1 Data 2 Find out which (Company) identification codes are available in all relevant databases !
Research Data Services www.ub.vu.nl
Research Data Services RDS www.ub.vu.nl
Data Center in Black Board Login with your VU-net-ID www.ub.vu.nl
Data Center in Black Board www.ub.vu.nl
Data Center in Black Board www.ub.vu.nl
Enrolling to Data Center Bottom right Enroll yourself www.ub.vu.nl
RDS on Blackboard www.ub.vu.nl
Data Center on Blackboard 11 more
Data Center on Blackboard Tools Additional information
Data Center - expert files
Data Center on Blackboard
Datastream – inflation rates
Datastream – inflation rates
Datastream – inflation rates
Important: Is the data for each database in a single currency ? What control variables do I need? Do I need to download components to calculate variables I could not download? (Ratios etc.) Is the data for each database comparable in time? If you need more than 1 database: Do you need company identifiers? (see: Blackboard) Can I get the information elsewhere if it is not available at the university? Contact authors of articles if you have questions. It may also be possible to get datasets from them!
Summary What is my subject & what literature/data do I need ? What sources are available to find literature / data ? Before you start writing: check data availability! Check the RDS course in Blackboard for help. Visit the Library / RDS if you need help finding literature / data or need advise on making a selection. www.ub.vu.nl
The Library is there for you! Blackboard: http://bb.vu.nl General questions: vraag.ub@vu.nl Data: researchdataservices.ub@vu.nl www.ub.vu.nl
Research question & Data Formulate a research question What was the influence of the financial crisis on pay-performance relationship of CEOs of United States commercial banks? What data do I need? What data / variables do I need? Is the data available?
Did I forget any variables? What data is needed? Research question: What was the influence of the financial crisis on pay-performance relationship of CEOs of United States commercial banks? CEO compensation: Cash Compensation: salary + bonus Total compensation: salary, bonus, restricted stock grants, stock option grants and all other compensation Firm performance: ROA (return on Assets) Total annual Excess Stock Return (TESR). Control variables: leverage ratio, firm size, Beta of the firm, number of board members and CEO change. Did I forget any variables?
Which databases are relevant?
Main criteria for selection: What is the time frame of my research ? Time before the crisis: 2004-2006. Financial crisis: 2007-2008 Selection guidelines What type of data do I need? Financial data on com- mercial banks Executive remuneration data What is the geographical scope ?: United States
Which databases are relevant? Do I need several databases ? Do I need to combine datasets ? Do I need just one database ?
Using several databases Company identifiers Search 1 Data 1 Data 2 Search 2 Company identifiers: codes that uniquely identify a company in 1 or more databases
Combining data(sets) Company identifiers Data 1 Data 2 Find out which (Company) identification codes are available in all relevant databases !
Which databases are there?
Data Center
Data Center on Blackboard
Data Center on Blackboard
Data Center on Blackboard Additional information or tools
Data Center on Blackboard
Data Center on Blackboard
Important: Is the data for each database in a single currency ? What control variables do I need? Do I need to download components to calculate variables I could not download? (Ratios etc.) Is the data for each database comparable in time? If you need more than 1 database: Do you need company identifiers? (see: Blackboard) Can I get the information elsewhere if it is not available at the university? Contact authors of articles if you have questions. It may also be possible to get datasets from them!
Summary: Which databases are there How do I look for literature Refining a search What data is available and how to use it.
Need help? The library is there for you ! Website: http://ub.vu.nl Blackboard: http://bb.vu.nl