Finding Information: Archaeology Resources.

1. Finding Information: Archaeology Resources. Nicola Conway February 2012

2. Aims of the session To help you: • Identify, find & evaluate relevant resources for your research • Use the library effectively, and make the most of our services and resources • Know who to contact for further help

3. Format of the session What the session will involve: • A demonstration of quality academic resources for your subject • A chance for you to begin searching for information • An opportunity to ask for help and advice

4. The physical library Main library: • Level 1: Arts and Humanities (inc. Classics) • Level 2: Main entrance to the library • Level 3: Sciences (inc. numismatics / language dictionaries / science & technology) • Level 4: Social Sciences (inc. Archaeology / Ancient History) Palace Green: • Local Collection • Special Collections

5. The online library • Main site: http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/ • New, Current and Researcher web pages : • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/information/ • Subject Specific Support: • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/archaeology/

6. 4 steps to finding information

7. 1. Identify Keywords Identify keywords from your topic: “Investigate excavations of Neolithic sites in the Balkans” Advanced searching techniques: • Synonyms: excavation OR dig and Neolithic OR Stone Age • Truncation: Excavat* (to retrieve excavate, excavations, excavated …) • Phrases: “Stone Age” • Wildcards: colo?r to locate colour or color • Joining Words: AND, OR, NOT

8. Task One p.2 of handout • Identify keywords from a topic of your choice, if you can’t think of one use: “Discuss the social and public functions of Roman houses.”

9. Task One p.2 of handout (2) “Discuss the social and publicfunctions of Roman houses” OR OR insulae villa house AND community soci* public AND structur* function* role

10. 2. Decide where to search (1) What information do you need? • Overview of a topic, theory, idea, concept? • Background information? • Information on the latest developments? • Primary source material? • Geographical information?

11. 2. Decide where to search (2) • Do you have a specific reference? • Yes Library Catalogue • No Online resource • Have you consulted the information resources available for Archaeology? http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/archaeology/

12. 2. Decide where to search (3) Which online resource? • Databases • Journal Articles • E-books • Conference Papers • Theses • Newspaper articles • Images • Maps

13. 3. Search – library catalogue • Can be searched using a variety of methods • Author/Title (combined) for known item • Keyword • Classmark and Subject search • Searches for print and electronic resources but does not search within them • Can save searches and email results

14. 3. Search – primary sources • Palace Green: • Special Collections • Local Collection • Library Catalogue • Excavation/site reports • Online databases • Newspapers (archive – present day)

15. 3. Search – online databases • Search a wide range of material • Some provide full text • JSTOR / Science Direct • Some only provide bibliographic information • Web of Knowledge (can use ConneXions to see if Durham subscribes to the content) • BIAB (no Connexions button) No single database will cover everything

16. Task Two p.4 of handout • Use the keywords you identified in Task One to search for information in: • An online database

17. Using Internet Resources (1) • Remember to evaluate information on the web • Anyone can be a web author • There are few controls over what is posted on the web • Is material peer-reviewed or edited? • Is the information up to date? • Check for bias or an agenda

18. Using Internet Resources (2) • Archaeology Data Service -  Collects, describes, catalogues, preserves, and provides user support for digital resources that are created as a product of archaeological research   • Google Scholar – search engine for academic resources • uses Durham ConneXions button

19. Task Two p.4 of handout • Use the keywords you identified in Task One to search for information: • Using another online resource

20. Obtaining items outside of Durham • Visiting other universities e.g. Newcastle and Northumbria • Check their catalogues: http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/resources/online/catalogues/ • Access to other libraries • SCONUL Access Scheme • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/otherlibraries/ • Document Delivery Service • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/borrowing/dds/

21. 4. Review your results • Are your results useful? • Do you need to change your keywords or search in a different database? • Use one record to find similar useful resources • Evaluate the quality of your sources • particularly if they are found on the internet • Keep references • e-mail yourself useful references

22. Where to get further help • Help and Information Point on Level 2 • Online enquiries form: • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries/ • Subject information pages: • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/archaeology • Academic Support Team: • Nicola Conway – Archaeology Liaison Librarian

23. Any Questions Nicola Conway: nicola.conway@durham.ac.uk