Coloured cards If you find a coloured card at your seat please hold onto it. We will be asking you to read out the question written on the card. If you do not feel comfortable reading it aloud, please pass the card to another member of the group.

Finding resources for your Theology dissertation Suzie Kitchin & Christine Purcell June 2009

Learning Outcomes After this workshop you will be able to: Construct a search strategy Select the most appropriate resources for your topic Effectively search catalogues and bibliographical databases Search full-text sources

I know what topic I want to study, but where do I start with searching for material?

Planning your search Research strategy (see handout) Consider scope of research What kind of information are you looking for? Keywords and synonyms

Effective searching Truncation, eg. Bibl* (bible, biblical etc) Wildcards, eg. savi#r(saviour, savior) –Useful for British / American differences Subject headings –In Library catalogue, databases

Resources Advanced features on library catalogue –Keyword searching –Modifying your search –Marking records –Use of AND, OR, AND NOT Theology Subject pages as a launch padTheology Subject pages

I’ve found some useful books in the library on my dissertation topic but how do I find what else has been published on my subject?

Resources Databases (eg)Databases –ATLA Religion (within FirstSearch) –Web of Knowledge –ECCO; EEBO –JSTOR News archives (eg)News archives –Infotrac –Times Digital Archive

I will be doing my literature searching from home over the summer. How can I access material when I’m not in Durham?

Studying away from Durham Access to online resources Full text sources –E-journals, JSTOR, e-booksJSTOR –Connexions link in databases –Blackwell Reference online Using other libraries –Other library catalogues including CopacOther library catalogues –SCONUL Access scheme

Can’t I just use the Internet to do my research? I’ve found a lot of information on my subject there.

Internet resources Accuracy? Currency? Authority? Objectivity? Internet Gateways for pre-evaluated resources –Eg. Intute Arts and Humanities Tutorials, eg. Internet for Religious Studies Google Scholar (access via library pages)

How do I keep track of all the references I find?

Saving your references Library catalogue & databases – ing results Databases –Save searches & re-run them Endnote –Bibliographic management software –ITS Guide 92

How will I remember in a few months time where to go to access these resources?

Help and support Theology Subject pages as launch pad Research strategy handout (+ on web pages) Online enquiries service Academic Support Team –Christine Purcell –Suzie Kitchin

Practical and individual support Time to explore resources for your dissertation Individual chats Any questions – please ask Please complete online evaluation before logging off your PC