What today’s session will cover: Research Strategy: 5 stages Finding information on the library website:  selected websites, ebooks, subject guides Searching the library catalogue  books, journals, DVDs Searching an online database: Ebscohost Online searching tips Evaluating information from the Web © Central Institute of Technology

1. Understand question or topic Research Strategy Cycle 2. Search for information Write Final Essay 4. Evaluate the information 5. Reference your information 3. Expand search boundaries © Central Institute of Technology 2011

Understand the topic: - identify the keywords and other search terms “Discuss the importance of choosing a suitable site when planning an event.” location venue organising arranging function conference © Central Institute of Technology 2011

Identify the concepts and search terms… Discuss the importance of choosing a suitable site when planning an event. Concept 1Concept 2Concept 3 siteplanningevent or venueorganisingfunction or locationarrangingconference © Central Institute of Technology 2011

7

Library Homepage © Central Institute of Technology

9 Library Website Search

© Central Institute of Technology Library Website Search: Events Page ebooks websites

Login to eBooks using your Student Network Login

© Central Institute of Technology eBooks: See Help Sheet for Options

13

© Central Institute of Technology Library Catalogue Search

© Central Institute of Technology

© Central Institute of Technology Library Catalogue Search Page

© Central Institute of Technology Library Catalogue Search

© Central Institute of Technology Bibliographic Details Location Details

19

© Central Institute of Technology Library Homepage

© Central Institute of Technology Library Website Search

© Central Institute of Technology student number date of birth

© Central Institute of Technology Choose Databases

© Central Institute of Technology Database Search Page

© Central Institute of Technology Database Search Results

Online searching tips… Boolean Operators AND (+): limits the search as both keywords must appear in the document hazards AND events OR: expands the search as either keywords will appear in the documents conferences OR seminars NOT (-): limits the search as excludes one of the keywords from the documents “outdoor events” -festivals © Central Institute of Technology 2011

More searching tips…. Quotation marks: searches for the phrase e.g. “convention centre” Plus sign: in front of a word ensures that word is included e.g. events +sponsorship Synonym searching: ~ in front of a word finds synonyms e.g. ~inexpensive = cheap, affordable, low cost Define: before a term finds definitions e.g. define:itinerary © Central Institute of Technology 2011

When evaluating information from websites, it can be difficult to determine the reliability of the information. Unlike most print sources where the information has been edited before it is published, information on the Internet is mostly unfiltered. There is little control over the material and anyone can create a website on any topic, whether or not they have training or experience in the subject field. A lot of the information on the Internet is commercial or personal. © Central Institute of Technology 2012

List of Organisational TypesList of Country Codes.comcommercial.auAustralia.edueducation.nzNew Zealand.govgovernment.ukUnited Kingdom.netnetwork.deGermany.orgorganisationno codeUSA © Central Institute of Technology 2012

Ask yourself these questions… √ Is the information correct? √ Is the information relevant? √ Is the information reliable? (who is the author/sponsor?) √ Is the information up-to-date? √ Is the information free from bias? (is it trying to persuade?) √ Is it what I need? © Central Institute of Technology 2011

If you require further assistance:  Ask at the Library Service Desk   Check out the OIL modules on the library © Central Institute of Technology

Library Homepage: © Central Institute of Technology 2011