1. MSc School of Computing Information Sources and Searching
The aim of this session is to remind you of
the key elements involved in literature searching,
the level of material you should be looking for
the electronic services available to assist you
how to obtain the full-text of items you identify.
Jane Haigh
Librarian for Built Environment, Engineering & Computing

2. Getting Help Staff at the library desk are there to help!
Information on myNapier
Subject guide
General enquiries:
E.g. Using LibrarySearch, problems finding a particular article.
Problem accessing resource? Give us lots of details – the article title; the journal title; what database are you trying to use; are you on or off campus.
To make an appointment with me –

3. Why is finding information so important?
Projects/assignments require a demonstration of your subject knowledge - you provide a range of references. Dissertations require some form of literature review.
You need to show evidence of:
Critically reading widely around the problem/issue
Present different views, challenges and solutions
Finding reliable, good quality information
Finding the gaps in the research – how can your work be unique/what can it contribute?
Reflecting on your work – is there another approach/methodology that you could have used to tackle the problem? Acknowledge mistakes & learn from them!

4. Why plan a search?
To find a wide range of sources, you need to search in different places. The type of information you need will determine where you search (Government documents, Official Statistics, Company information, academic papers etc). Search Plan & Guide:

5. Using keywords & phrases
Break down topic into components / What are you trying to find out?
Identify keywords, synonyms, alt. spelling and related terms, abbreviations, trade names etc.
Use “…....“ to denote a phrase
Learn how to refine your searches - narrow and expand your search results
LibrarySearch use “tweak my results” on the right hand side of results
databases may have similar tools, AND OR NOT (Boolean logic). Use database search help for tips.
You must use different combinations of search terms to find the full range of information covering your topic!

6. An investigation into the security risks of smart homes using IoT technologies.
In groups write down keywords or phrases you might use to find information on this topic.

7. Key terms and concepts IoT IOT “Internet of things”
“Internet of everything”??? (get a definition)
“smart homes” homes “private homes” “home users” “domestic use”
“smart objects” “smart technologies”
“home appliances” “home devices”
Should I be specific e.g. “home energy” “smart TV” etc???
Security “security vulnerabilities” “security threats”
privacy
Risk “risk analysis” challenges solutions

8. LibrarySearch http://librarysearch.napier.ac.uk/
A search engine, searching across nearly all of our databases.
It’s not always perfect because all our databases search and index their information differently. But it does large searching efficiently & makes accessing papers easy.
Problem solving:
Did you login to LibrarySearch? (on & off campus)
Try refining your search – “tweak my results”
Try using individual databases – click on ‘databases’ at the top of the screen.
Report problems using the ‘spanner icon’

9. Finding Computing Information
LibrarySearch – 18 computing related databases
Professional Organisations: BCS, IEEE etc.
ACM – research articles & conference proceedings
SpringerLink – articles & ebooks
British Standards Online ( British & ISO standards)
Professional Organisations – websites/blogs/magazines/journals
ONS – Office of National Statistics ( EU – EuroStat)
Government websites – UK wide, England, Scottish
Company websites ( also see Passport GMID database for market intelligence & FAME for UK company information)
ResearchGate & Academia.edu - use some caution!
CiteSeerX

10. Using Google Scholar
Not all academic articles can be found via Google Scholar – so if you only use Scholar, you will miss some articles.
You might struggle to get to the full text because:
you’re not logged into the database holding the article
you’re using the wrong login
we have access via a different database
we don’t have access
To check if Edinburgh Napier Library has bought access, use the “library link” widget – this links to Edinburgh Napier LibrarySearch! Scholar.aspx
Always check the reliability of articles you access via Google Scholar. Some are links to pre-published articles which might not contain the same information as a published version.

11. Individual Database Searching
All databases search slightly differently – use the on screen search tips!
Field to search title/abstract/author
Boolean
and = both terms
or = either 1st or 2nd term
not = find 1st but not 2nd term
Truncation comput* (or comput$) will find computers, computing, computerization etc
Wildcard organi?ation will find organisation and organization etc.
Phrase searching “water damage” or (water damage)

12. Current Awareness Services
Services offered differ between databases
Table of Contents (ToC)
Select journal(s) of interest. The ToC of each new issue is ed to you
Saved search strategy
Create a search which is automatically run as new articles are added to the database – alerted to articles matching your search by
N.B this relies upon you constructing a good search!
Zetoc provides both methods – British Library journal collection covering multiple disciplines. Go via LibrarySearch > Databases > Zetoc.
JournalTOCs A free JISC-funded Heriot Watt University database, covers over 20,000 journals. Although smaller than Zetoc, it may be more up-to-date for some journals.
When you are conducting a large search for a dissertation or project, you might want to take advantage of tools such as current awareness bulletins or saved search strategies.
Different databases, offer different services, check individual databases for more information.

13. Finding theses / research in progress
Edinburgh Napier Thesis
You can find recent PhD, DBA and research-based (not taught) Masters theses online in the Edinburgh Napier Research Repository​.  
Older PhD theses held in paper at Merchiston Library – use LibrarySearch to find details, then ask at the desk in Merchiston Library – fill out a form.
Index to theses of GB and Ireland
(not full text) Use Ethos to see if full text can be found. See library webpage: s/FindingTheses.aspx
Research blogs, academic networking tools such as Academia.edu and ResearchGate (use caution)

14. We don’t have the book, report, article…
This will happen - we don’t buy everything ever published!
Book – me – I might be able to buy it for the library
Article/report – try the Inter Library Loan Service ( free)
Use other university libraries via Sconul Access service:

15. EVALUATE your information (external markers often check resources for quality).
Evaluate all information: web; book; academic journal – everything!
Relevance –meet the needs of assignment? New information? Right type/level of information?
Currency - date of publication ok for your assignment? Can you find a date? Online resources – last up-dated?
Reliability – author? Information reviewed by experts? Online resource – do links work?
Accuracy – is there a chance of bias? Statistics from reliable sources? Is there an accurate list of references?
QUALITY information:
Journals - peer reviewed/editorial board
Conference papers – always try to get original paper
Primary sources of information are best– written by the actual researchers

16. Referencing Purpose of references:
To acknowledge the sources consulted (avoid plagiarism)
To enable other readers to access the material themselves
To provide a list of the literature relating to the topic
Use this link to access the School referencing guide!!!
Do not copy URL in the address bar at the top of an article – it might not be stable.
If there is a DOI link, use it.
Download and save the article PDF
Use reference management software – tools to help you save references and PDFs.
ENDNOTE or Mendeley. Library guides: