Engineering and Computer Science Postgraduate Training 2009 Christine Purcell and Ben Taylorson

Aims of the session To help you to: Think about the research process Be able to search databases effectively Know where to get help

Library basics –Using the library University Library - 4 libraries Opening hours Loan entitlements Durham University Contacts / support

Which sources of information will you need for your research?

Resources Books & E-books Directories Journals E-prints Conference proceedings Theses Legislation Internet pages Market research Surveys Statistics Official publications Patents and Standards Specialist reports Organisations/Contacts Discussion groups Academics & librarians

Effective searching Synonyms –e.g. computer-aided design, CAD –Hydrology, water engineering Use British and American spellings –Eg. Humour / humor Wildcards e.g. organi?ation, colo?r Boolean operators: AND, OR & AND NOT

Effective searching Truncation –e.g. hydr* -- hydrology, hydrological Limits eg. Year, language Search options Advanced search option / help Searching advice

Catalogue Searching for printed and online books and journals Manage your record and renew loans Reading & search history or save references for future use RSS feeds of new books

Online resources Databases Full text vs bibliographic Citation indexes Research repositories arXiv Conference papers ProceedingsFirst Alerts Zetoc

Bibliographic databases Journal services include: IEEE All-Society Periodical Package ScienceDirect Databases include: Web of Knowledge –Web of Science, including Conference Proceedings Recent Advances in Manufacturing (RAM) FirstSearch (ArticleFirst and WorldCat) Computer abstracts

Other resources Standards Patents Theses & dissertations News and news archives E-prints

Evaluating Websites Why evaluate? –Anyone can be a web author –No controls over what is posted on the web –Very little material is peer-reviewed or edited –Much of the information may be out of date Use Subject Gateways –IntuteIntute

eFunda eFunda an online destination for the engineering community – MaterialsMaterials – Design CenterDesign Center – ProcessesProcesses – Unit ConversionUnit Conversion – FormulasFormulas – MathematicsMathematics

Material not in Durham Other library catalogues and COPACCOPAC Document Delivery Service Visits –Plan ahead –SCONUL Access

References and Bibliographies Always keep a full and accurate record of your information sources Use the Library Catalogue to references for saving Make sure you refer correctly to other authors within your work Avoid plagiarism

Where to get help Enquiries Desk on Level 2, Main Library Online enquiry service Academic Support Team

What to do now … From the University home page click on: Student Gateway | Library | Subject information | Or go straight to:

Before you go… Please complete a short online evaluation form: g09 Also accessed from Library home page | Subject Information | Engineering OR Computing | Information skills