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

Getting Help Staff at the library desk are there to help! Information on myNapier http://my.napier.ac.uk/Library Subject guide http://libguides.napier.ac.uk/sebe-soc To make an appointment with me – use the appointment button! General enquiries: library@napier.ac.uk 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.

Why do an Information Search? Projects/dissertations require a demonstration of your subject knowledge -the literature review. You need to show evidence of: Reading around the problem/issue Finding the gaps in the research – how can your work be unique/what can it contribute? Comparing your ideas with other solutions that have been considered Reflecting on your work – is there another approach/methodology that you could have used to tackle the problem?

Concept Clarification Searching Cycle Concept Clarification Search statement Evaluate Where to find information Review & Modify Search Strategy SEARCH

Selecting relevant KEYWORDS or CONCEPTS Search Statement A case study on the user-centred design of an interactive information retrieval system. Selecting relevant KEYWORDS or CONCEPTS Break down topic into components Identify keywords, synonyms, alt. spelling and related terms List any relevant subheadings

Key terms and concepts Key terms: Interactive information retrieval systems (IIRS) Interactive IR Human computer interaction (HCI) Interface design, user-centred interface/design ‘evaluation research’ Information search process/decision making graphical user interface (GUI) Related terms: artificial intelligence, software design, anthropology, applications etc. cognitive psychology etc

Finding articles, reports, conference papers Use LibrarySearch Good quality resources. Link through to full text if available. Indicates if a paper copy is available. Keywords – text books/encyclopaedias; use thesaurus or dictionary in databases. Refine your search using facets on the right of the screen: type of information; subjects; date Use quotation marks “ “ to denote a phrase. Use different combinations of words/phrases.

How do I access electronic resources? LibrarySearch, e-books, usual university login Most e-journals, databases usual university login (a few use a different login – details via LibrarySearch or Library website) Off campus – many resources ask you to log in - go via LibrarySearch for clear login guidance. Links to articles from Google etc, may take you to confusing log in screens that might ask you for money. Go via LibrarySearch.

Re-cap: Simple Search Strategy Break it down – Separate out different themes, or questions within your topic. Search terms – Single or multiple words or phrases. Are there words to omit? Different spellings etc. Where– LibrarySearch, databases, government websites, company websites etc. Appropriate search options/limits – All fields, article titles, author etc. Able to limit to particular year, type of material or limit to full text only? Refine searches as you go – change words used for searching, combine different words, change limits etc.

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)

Why LibrarySearch is better than Google Google/Google Scholar searches: Don’t cover all academic articles Academic & non-academic resources – you *must* evaluate all resources You might struggle to get to the full text/ might be asked to pay! LibrarySearch – good quality professional & academic resources Searches everything we buy for you to access Gives clear login details If you do use Google Scholar off campus, make the “library link” to Edinburgh Napier & LibrarySearch! http://my.napier.ac.uk/Library/eresources/Pages/Google- Scholar.aspx

Finding the Full-text Search LibrarySearch or individual databases. Remember you might need to login to LibrarySearch or a database to see the full text – particularly off campus. Use the Find It button or View It@Edinburgh Napier if you see it. This appears in many databases - can be set up in Google Scholar. No online access? Checked paper copies? Then request an Inter-library loan– form on library website– article may be sent as PDF via email or in paper format – at busy times it can take up to 2 weeks or more….but it is free!

Current Awareness Services Services offered differ between databases Table of Contents (ToC) Select journal(s) of interest. The ToC of each new issue is emailed 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 email 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 http://www.journaltocs.ac.uk/ 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. No need to login. 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.

Finding theses / research in progress Index to theses of GB and Ireland http://www.theses.com/ (not full text) Use Ethos to see if full text can be found. See library webpage: http://staff.napier.ac.uk/services/library/research/Pages/FindingTheses.aspx ACM – good source of computing conference proceedings ISI Proceedings – indexes of conference proceedings – within ISI Web of Science database Other major publisher databases such as Science Direct, Springer, Wiley & Taylor & Francis may also have some conference papers. Society/organisation websites Research blogs, academic networking tools such as Academia.edu and ResearchGate. These are some of the best sources for finding information about theses or research.

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

Keep Notes of References! Details of ALL material you consult in the process of your project. ENDNOTE (reference management tool) available on the network, and a smaller web version is also available. See IT web pages for details. User guides on the Library web pages. Mendeley – free online resource 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 Remember to keep good notes of any articles, reports etc that you read. Keep notes as you go to save yourself the frustration of trying hunt down a quote or journal title just before you hand in your work. Endnote – a tool for compiling references is available on the Napier computer network – a user guide is available from the library website.