Deakin University Library HDR Training

SEARCH LITERATURE EFFECTIVELY 2013

www.deakin.edu.au/library/research
CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B

Aim of workshop
Develop confidence in accessing discipline-specific databases/ journal collections, etc
(http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/a-z/databases.php)

How to optimise results when searching the Internet

Quality checks when searching Google/Scholar/SCIRUS

Focus on key database features to ensure searching is targeted and efficient

Specific features available in EBSCOhost as example of database platform

How to easily locate theses

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Introduction - what is research?

Research is defined as the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way so as to generate new concepts methodologies and understandings.
Australian Research Council, ERA

Establish main developments or existing theories in a specific field

Identify a gap in the existing knowledge

Find an innovative idea or approach

Disseminate new findings through scholarly papers

Information searching, organisation and citation of bibliographic references contribute to scholarly process.
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The Research Process and Information

Inquiry/ Research Question(s) Organising Information Gathering Information Evaluating literature Evaluating research Research topic/question

Disseminating Findings

Critical Analysis/ Creation of New Knowledge

Evaluating Information

Analysing data/Critical analysis Discussion of findings Conclusion

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Process and strategies

Systematic information searching and organisation

Resources available at the Research pages, e.g. Search Planner
(

Why do you need a systematic approach in information searching and organisation? Effectively identify the exiting knowledge gap on your chosen topic Strike a balance between maximising the number of relevant

results and diminishing irrelevant results in the search output. research process

Revisit / revise search process and results at later stage of your Being consistent and systematic over a period of time

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Process and strategies

Demonstrate principles of information searching > progression
Library homepage LL contacts; Library resource guides; Databases

Internet searching

Google/Scholar/SCIRUS

Database searching

EBSCOhost example

Theses

Deakin/National/International

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It starts with a plan

Can a search plan help ?

Ensures comprehensive searching, minimising the risk of replication Documents information searching strategies over a long period of time Prompts you to think critically about your topic Assists you to focus your searching and therefore, your topic Saves time and helps you achieve better research outputs

Y Y Y Y Y

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The search plan: Stages

1. Summarise your topic

(use as many descriptive words as possible)

2. Identify and record key concepts/key terms/abstract ideas 3. Create search strategies by combining identified keywords
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tm-sDKCnO4

(Example from YouTube - created by Uni of Auckland library:

4. Start searching Download search planner from:

http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/research/search-and-reviewliterature.php

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Social networking sites leading to cultural changes in young adults

Concepts as stated in your topic description
Alternative search terms using truncation* and wildcards? Synonyms (alternate words), spelling, language etc.

social

networking

sites

cultural

changes

young adults
young adult* Teen*

Soci*

Network*

Website*

Cultur*

Chang*

Public Shared Societal group

Communication Group Promoting

Web Sites Internet Pages Cyber

Social Ethnic National Specific culture?

Influence Difference Transformation Adjustment Revolution

Teenagers Youth Adolescent

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Primary and secondary sources

Primary
(original research)
Original firsthand evidence contemporary to events, with minimal or no mediation

Secondary
(background information/overview

Interpreted information, lack of immediacy

Archival materials and records, recorded sound or image, data, specimen, art works, artifacts, etc.

Books, dictionaries, articles, newspaper accounts of events, etc.

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Electronic resources : which one?

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Research support:

http://www.deakin.edu.au/library/research/

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Electronic Resources: starting points

Deakin Library resource guides- find which databases are relevant / to your research topic:

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Locating Database collections

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Systematic searching contd Focus on:

Searching the Internet Quality search engines Searching databases Searching EBSCOhost

databases

How to find theses How to find theses

CRICOS Provider Code: 00113B