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Effective Strategies for Researching Physics Resources

This session aims to enhance your skills in identifying, finding, and evaluating quality information sources for physics. You'll learn how to effectively navigate the library's services and resources, from print materials on Level 3 of the Main Library to online databases. The session includes a demonstration of academic resources tailored for your subject, an interactive search activity, and a Q&A for personalized assistance. By the end, you'll be equipped to analyze topics such as galaxy formation and black holes with confidence.

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Effective Strategies for Researching Physics Resources

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  1. Finding information resources : Physics Nicola Conway March 2012

  2. Aims of the session To help you: • Identify, find & evaluate relevant sources of information • 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 when researching

  4. Before we begin… “Analyse the formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes” 2-3 minutes to look for at least one piece of useful and reliable information on this topic

  5. The Library (Print) Print: • Most print resources for Physics are on Level 3 in the Main Library • Level 3: Sciences • Books and journals

  6. The Library (Online) General support: • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/current/ Subject information pages: • http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/physics

  7. 4 steps to finding information

  8. 1. Identify Keywords Identify keywords from your topic: “The physics behind butterflies’ iridescent colours” Advanced searching techniques: • Synonyms: butterfly OR diurnal insect OR Lepidoptera • Truncation: physic* to locate physics, physical science, physicist… • Phrases: “iridescent colour” • Wildcards: colo?r to locate colour or color • Joining Words: AND, OR, NOT

  9. Task One p.2 of handout Identify keywords from a topic of your choice, if you can’t think of one use: “Analyse the formation and evolution of galaxies and black holes”

  10. Task One p.2 of handout (2) Analyse the formation and evolution of galaxies and blackholes OR OR format* creat* AND develop* evolution growth AND “black hole” galax*

  11. 2. Decide where to search (1) What information do you need? • Overview of a topic, theory, idea, concept? • Encyclopaedias and Dictionaries (online and in print) • Background information? • Textbook/E-book • Information on the latest developments? • Journal Article • Conference Paper • E-Print/Research Repository

  12. 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 Physics? http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/physics

  13. 2. Decide where to search (3) Which online resource? • Databases • Journal Articles • Review literature • Standards • E-books • Conference Papers

  14. 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

  15. 3. Search – online databases Databases search a wide range of material: • Some provide full text • IoP • Science Direct • Some only provide bibliographic information • Web of Knowledge • Can use ConneXions to see if Durham subscribes to the content No single database will cover everything

  16. 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/

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

  18. 3. Search – other online resources • E-books • E-prints • arXiv.org e-Print archive - papers in physics and related disciplines • Conference proceedings • Internet Resources • Google Scholar – uses Durham ConneXions button • Data sites

  19. Task Two p.4 of handout • Use the keywords you identified in Task One to search for information: • Using another online resource available from http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/physics/info_skills/

  20. 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

  21. References and Bibliographies • Always keep a full and accurate record of your information sources • Use the Library Catalogue and online databases to e-mail references for saving • Make sure you refer correctly to other authors within your work • Avoid plagiarism

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

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

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