Finding Research Literature: What, Where and How? Marilyn Coen CURTIN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology CRICOS Provider code 00301J Outline • • • • • • • Library databases – what, where, how? Journal articles Creating a search strategy Try a search Managing your information Libguides and other resources Help Reference Sources Theses Journal articles • What is a scholarly journal? o Published regularly o Contains a number of articles by different authors o Some are “peer-reviewed” Why use scholarly journal articles? • • • • Currency Recent research in specific areas Authority Specialised and relevant information Peer Reviewed/ Scholarly: How do you know? •Abstract and bibliography •Credentials of author •Language - specialized •Publisher •Lack of advertisements Identifiers of a Scholarly journal article Journal example Where to find journal articles? • Library catalogue »allows article level searching • Library databases »Databases A-Z list & LibGuides What is a database? • An online resource containing – » » » » » » Reference works Academic journals Trade magazines Books Newspaper articles Standards, theses, videos, images, industry reports conference proceedings, law reports… • May be multi-disciplinary or subject specific • May be full text, citation only or combination Which database for me? • Refer to subject Libguides • Read the information on the databases A – Z page • Choose from the list of popular databases on the databases A – Z page Searching Searching Databases databases Considerations: • Think about your topic • Establish terminology and keywords -use a Thesaurus! • Construct a search strategy using keywords and Boolean Operators (OR, AND, NOT) • Watch spelling variations (eg colo?r, organi?e) • Use truncation Creating a search strategy Sample topic: Discuss the role of climate change in natural disasters Creating a search strategy Step 1: Identify keywords/concepts Step 2: Find alternative terms Step 3: Combine terms using Boolean Operators (OR, AND) Step 4: Other search tips Creating Creatingaasearch searchstrategy strategy Step 1: Identify keywords • climate change • natural disasters Creating Creatingaasearch searchstrategy strategy Step 2: Find alternative terms climate change = global warming natural disasters = fires, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes Creating Creatingaasearch searchstrategy strategy Step 3: Combine terms using Boolean Operators (AND, OR) climate change OR global warming AND natural disasters OR fires OR floods OR tsunamis OR earthquakes Creating Creatingaasearch searchstrategy strategy Step 4: Other search tips o Truncations (*)- caters for singular and plural forms of a word, for words that begin with the same stem/root. Eg work* finds works, worked, working, worker etc o Wildcards (?) – caters for spelling variations. Eg organi?ation finds organisation, organization o Phrase searching (“ ” ) – searches a word as a phrase. Eg “heart attack” Creating a search strategy Step 4 and final strategy: “climate change” OR “global warming” AND “natural disasters” OR fires OR flood* OR tsunami* OR earthquake* Searching a Database Database search Search ProQuest - demonstration Refine search results using filters – o peer-reviewed or scholarly journals o ‘subject’ – select from drop down list o limit by location o limit by date Evaluating resources Refine and evaluate resources Evaluating information/resources: Using Ulrichsweb Web of Science/Scopus Searching Manage yourDatabases information Keep up-to-date: • Alerts • Save searches • eShelf • EndNote Manage your information EndNote & EndNote Online • A bibliographical software • Allows you to store and manage all your references in one place • Stores bibliographic records of books, chapters, journal articles, websites, reports etc • Automatically generates citations in specific styles (eg APA 6, Chicago 16, Vancouver) • To find out more  EndNote LibGuide, attend an EndNote workshop Libguides resources Libguidesand and other other resources • Humanities specific Libguide – » Leads to subject guides » Specific information in your field • Research support Libguide – » Help with your literature review • How to find… Libguide – » Useful for finding alternative information resources Can’t find your resources? • Inter-library Loans • Document Delivery • Reciprocal borrowing Additional guides to your literature review • Useful websites for information on writing literature reviews: Curtin University’s Learning Support Centre – http://life.curtin.edu.au/learning_support/learning_centre.htm Other University websites: http://unimelb.libguides.com/content.php?pid=87165&sid=648279 Use tabs across the top to find relevant information eg searching the literature, critical reading etc https://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/literature-review This includes examples of literature reviews – see links to the right of the page http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/literaturereview Again gives some useful hints on writing a successful literature review. Further help…. • Library skills workshops – bookable from the Library home page – free workshops on how to use the library catalogue, search databases, use EndNote etc http://library.curtin.edu.au/ • Faculty Librarian – Marilyn Coen 9266 4279 [email protected] • Humanities team – 9266 7209 [email protected] Thankyou and good luck!