Computer Science Postgraduate Training 2008 Richard Pears
Aims of the session To help you to: Think about the research process Locate research sources using the Durham Library catalogue Locate online information resources
The research cycle
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 Specialist reports Organisations/Contacts Discussion groups Academics & librarians
Effective searching Definitions and synonyms Adjacency / Proximity Boolean operators Truncation e.g. comput* Wildcards e.g. behavio?r Advanced search option/ help
Library Web Pages Find Library information: –Opening times –Borrowing rights –Subject ResourcesSubject Resources Access Online Resources –Library Catalogue –Databases –E-journals –E-Books
Catalogue 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 E-prints arXiv Conference papers ProceedingsFirst Alerts Zetoc
Material not in Durham Other library catalogues and COPACCOPAC Document Delivery Service Visits –Plan ahead –SCONUL Access
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over what is posted on the web –Very little material is peer-reviewed or edited –Much of the information may be out of date Use Subject Gateways –IntuteIntute
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
Hands on session From the University home page click on: Student Gateway | Library | Subject information | Computer Science Or go straight to: