Transcript Computer Science library information resources

Computer Science MSc
Project briefing –
Researching for
your project
Clare Ackerley
Academic Liaison Librarian
for Computer Science
May 2014
Session aims
After today you should:
• be aware of the resources available
• be able to select appropriate resources to use
• know some effective searching techniques
Library resources
Searching the catalogue
Only view
items that are
available
Refine by
Subject
Searching everything
Choose to expand
search beyond
our resources if
you wish
Limit to peerreviewed journals
Refine your
results to select
resource type.
E.g. conference
proceedings
Your Subject Guide
Subject guides – journals and
databases
Provides links to the most
relevant databases and fulltext journal collections for
you
BUT….
Not everything
For a comprehensive list
use the e-resources guide
E-resources – Bibliographic databases
• Electronic indexes of published work
• Examples, INSPEC and Web of Science
– databases cover different subject areas and
materials
– not limited to the Library’s collections
– always use more than one database!
• Access via E-resources Guide or Computer
Science Subject Guide.
Some key Computer Science
databases
Science Citation & Proceedings Indexes (via the
Web of Knowledge)
– General Computer Science 1900 - date
– citation searching
– Proceedings section for conferences & meetings
• 1990 - present
– Register to customize your search experience
– Recorded training materials available. Links on the
database.
Some Key Computer Science
Databases
INSPEC
• leading abstract publication for information in
physics, electronics, electrical engineering,
computer science and information technology.
- updated weekly
- 1969-present
- Also an archive available dating back to
1898
Other useful Databases
Zetoc (British Library Electronic Table of Contents)
– One of the world most comprehensive research databases
– multi-disciplinary 1993 to date
– Provides access to over 28,000 journals and more than
52,000 article citations and conference papers.
– Set up Zetoc Alerts or RSS feeds to keep track of new
research in your area.
– Choose to search journals, conferences or both
Electronic resources – e-journals
• IEEE Xplore All IEEE and IET journals,
magazines, transactions and conference
proceedings, and all approved and published
IEEE standards, excluding drafts.
– Complete backfiles to 1988
– Selected content back to 1913
• ScienceDirect – World’s largest full text
database of scientific journals, 2,500 journals
and 20,000 ebooks
Locating full text of the papers you
discover
Look for Find It @ York button
Electronic resources – e-books
Lecture Notes in Computer Science – archive
also available.
• Access through Computer Science subject guide or
YorSearch.
• There are also many more e-books available on
YorSearch from other e-book providers such as
Dawsonera, MyiLibrary, and Safari
Electronic resources – theses
• Index to Theses – lists all UK PhD theses and includes an
abstract for each. Non-York theses can be obtained via
InterLibrary loans
• White Rose eTheses Online– Collection of doctoral level
theses from York, Leeds and Sheffield Universities.
• EThOS – Electronic Theses Online Service
• DART – Europe E-theses Portal - Doctoral-level electronic
theses which are held in European repositories. Provides a
link to at least one electronic copy of every thesis listed in
its database
Access via Theses subject category on the E-resources Guide.
Electronic resources – web search
engines and subject gateways
• Web search engines
• Google and Google Scholar
• CiteSeer – scientific literature digital library and
search engine
• Internet subject gateways
• TechXtra – cross searches 31 different
collections for articles, websites, books, latest
news, theses, in engineering, maths and
computing
Electronic resources – web search engines
Google Scholar
Available from York
Full text freely
available
Google Scholar off campus
Go to:
• Settings
• Library links
• Enter University of York
• Save
Google Scholar
Advantages
Disadvantages
More results – a range of resource
types,
e.g. books, journal articles, theses
Too many results(?)
Simple to search
Less quality control. Coverage: what is
and is not covered? Duplication.
Inclusion of some non-academic
materials
Links to full text items available at York
Inconsistent bibliographic information
Few sophisticated search options, e.g.
difficult to apply limitations
Open Access Repositories
White Rose – Full text available
• Results will display on
YorSearch.
• Search the repository
directly.
http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/
Effective Searching - Planning
• Plan out your search on paper
– easy to keep a record if computers crash!
– helps clarify your searching strategy
• Consider the scope of your search
– what is the time period you are searching within?
– try a quick simple search first
• Remember to think about synonymous terms
– use truncation or wildcards as appropriate (e.g. * ?)
• e.g. col?r will find colour, color (but also coloniser)
• e.g. comp* will find computer, computers, computing etc
Effective Searching - Reviewing
• When you have some results ask yourself
– do they answer your question?
– are they appropriate for your needs and of
sufficient quantity AND quality
• Be prepared to search more than one
database for a comprehensive search
– INSPEC does NOT cover everything you need
– if you are unsure of which ones to use - ask!
• Leave enough time to find, and read the full
articles!!!
Troubleshooting Searches
• Too few or no results?
– are my keywords the right ones?
– am I using the ‘right’ database for the subject?
• Too many results?
– should I include more specific term(s)?
– could I eliminate unwanted concepts from my
results?
Items not held in the Library
Inter-Library Loans
•
£2 each
•
Interlending link on YorSearch
British Library
• Boston Spa minibus on alternate Wed/Fridays, bookable on
YorSearch
• Further information at:
www.york.ac.uk/library/other-libraries/british-library
SCONUL Access
• Enables you to visit and borrow from other institutions, apply
online www.access.sconul.ac.uk/sconul-access
Help
Clare Ackerley
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for listening
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