Transcript Slide 1
Getting Started with your Research
Aims
By the end of the session you should be able to
• Select relevant keywords or search terms for successful
information searching
• Identify relevant sources of information
• Fully utilise library services and sources of help
Defining the Subject
Clarify your topic
How can you break it down
Define your scope
- Publication date
- Range – type of documents
- Geography
- language
Keywords
Synonyms
Rust/corrosion
Related terms
Global warming/climate change
Alternative spelling or American terms
Colour/color
Singular/plural
Elephant/elephants
Acronyms and abbreviations
United Kingdom/UK
Broader and narrower terms
Marketing/Branding
lift/elevator
What Information
Sources shall I Research
use?
Statistics
Specific or
Primary
Sources
Specialist databases
Books
DVDs
Journal and Newspaper Articles
Encyclopaedias Yearbooks
Wikis
Dictionaries
General or
Secondary
Sources
Where to look for Information Sources
• Subject Guides
- online
- print
• Digital Library Subject Pages
You don’t have what I need
The library may not necessarily have all the information
that you need.
• Order books and articles on Inter-library Loan
• Visit other libraries
Allow plenty of time!
Further Help
• Book an appointment with your subject team
- advice on specialist information sources
- selecting appropriate subject terms
• Other Lunchtime in the Library session
- How Do I reference
- Lunchtime Surgery: bring along your questions
Session Evaluation
Library website – Training sessions - Cambridge