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 To make an appointment with me – use the appointment button!
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.

3. 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?

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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)

11. 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! Scholar.aspx

12. 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 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 or in paper format – at busy times it can take up to 2 weeks or more….but it is free!

13. 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. 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.

14. Finding theses / research in progress
Index to theses of GB and Ireland
(not full text) Use Ethos to see if full text can be found. See library webpage:
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.

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. 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.