Literature Searching

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In this session:

• Literature Searching & Search tips

• Summon

• Introduction to Journal Databases & Citation Indexes

• Evaluating resources

• Referencing / Cite Them Right Online

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Accessing resources: Use Mozilla FirefoxmyUniHub > My Study > My Library

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Library Subject GuidesmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Library Subject Guides

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Reading ListsAvailable in every module’s My Learning page

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Thinking about search terms

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossjamesparker/89414788

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The Real Thing: Thinking about your project

• Search terms

• Alternate terminology

• More specific terms

• Related subjects

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Search Tips

Narrow search e.g. tetanus AND vaccine

Widen search e.g. Vaccination OR immunization

Exclude words e.g. clostridium NOT difficile

Search for phrases e.g. “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus” (remember abbreviations, e.g. MRSA)

Broaden search e.g. Vaccin* (finds vaccine, vaccination, vaccinated etc)

Find different spellings e.g. Immuni?ation (finds immunisation and immunization)

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Summon 2.0 Results

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myUniHub > My Study > My Library > Summon

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Journal databases provide

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• Access to quality information

• Information not available elsewhere

• Up-to-date

• Focused/specific

• Full text access

• Access on/off campus

• Personalise

• Citation & Journal impact info

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Key Journal Databases

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• Science DirectScientific database providing access to journal articles from more than 2,500 peer-reviewed journals.

• MedlineThe primary database of international medical literature from the United States National Library of Medicine.

• PubMedComprises more than 21 million citations for biomedical articles from MEDLINE and life science journals.

• BioMed CentralOpen Access publishers.

• More information on the Library Subject Guide

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Citation Indexes

• Which articles have cited an earlier article

• Find articles on similar/related subject matter

• How many times an article has been cited

• Best Journals in your field

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Web of Science: A Citation IndexmyUniHub > My Study > My Library > Databases > W

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Google ScholarSettings > Library Links > Middlesex University

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Evaluating results

• C urrency When was it last updated?

• A uthority Who wrote it? Are they qualified?

• I ntent What is the purpose of the information?

• R elevance Will it answer my question?

• O bjectivity Is it a balanced view?

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Cite Them Right OnlineAccessible through the Library Subject Guide

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If it is not available in the Library

• Inter-Library Loan

• Sconul Access

• Other Libraries

• More information:

http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/library/services/libraries/index.aspx

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Keeping in touch

• Email: a.j.miller@mdx.ac.uk

• Ask a Librarian: askalibrarian.mdx.ac.uk

• Facebook: Middlesex University Library

• MDX App: App Store: Middlesex University

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Any Questions?

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