October 2008 MA Education – Searching for research literature Suzie Kitchin

Aims of the session To help you to: Construct effective search strategies Identify and find relevant research material in the library and online Know where to go for help Accessing other libraries

Library basics University Library - 4 libraries Opening hours Loan entitlements Durham University Services for part-time students Contacts and help

Planning your search What information are you looking for? –Alternative terms –What date range? –Primary or secondary? –Assignment / dissertation? Advanced search option / help

Effective searching Synonyms Truncation –eg mentor* (mentor, mentors, mentoring) –Beware of false hits, eg. mental Wildcards –e.g. behavio*r, organi*ation Boolean operators: AND, OR & AND NOT –e.g. (dyslexia OR dyspraxia) AND primary

Library catalogue How to search –Author / title –Keyword and advanced searching –Marking / ing records –Journals (print and online) Your library record Document Delivery Service

Databases Bibliographic databases, eg. –British Education Index (BEI) –ERIC –Web of Knowledge News monitoring services & archives –Times Educational Supplement –National newspapers via Infotrac and Lexis- Nexis Executive

Library home page Library catalogue Subject pages

Library catalogue

Education subject pages Literature searching advice Resources to use

Education databases

Current Awareness Library catalogue –Reading history –Keyword searches –New books Alerting services Theses and Dissertations

Wider access Off-campus access to e-resources Using other libraries –SCONUL Access scheme – Document Delivery Service

Sconul Access scheme

Web resources Subject gateways –Education-line –Intute Education Gateway –Google Scholar Evaluation

Intute Education Gateway

Where to get help Education Library – Service point Main Library - Enquiries Desk Level 2 On-line enquiries service: / Academic Support Team: Suzie Kitchin Christine Purcell

Thank you for listening Any questions?