This document provides an overview of a library skills and literature searching session for an MSc Environmental Pollution Control course. It introduces students to essential library resources like the library catalogue, Summon, and subject guides. It also covers literature searching, including an introduction to databases like Web of Science, Science Direct, and ProQuest. Students are shown how to search these databases to find peer-reviewed journal articles on their topics. The document demonstrates how to access full text and use inter-library loans when articles are not available. It also briefly discusses Google Scholar and referencing.
2. Today we are going to look at …
1) Essential Library Skills
Using the Library pages on MyUniHub:
• The Library Catalogue
• Summon
• Your Library Subject Guide
3. Today we are going to look at …
2) Literature Searching
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Introduction to journal databases
Searching Web of Science
Accessing the journal articles you have found
What are peer-reviewed articles?
Searching Science Direct and ProQuest
Newsstand
Using Google Scholar
Referencing
4. Using the Library pages on
MyUniHub
Log in to MyUniHub
My Study
My Library
6. Library Catalogue
How to search:
•
Keyword search
•
A-Z search
Find these items on the Library Catalogue:
1. Purkis, S., Klemas, V. (2011) Remote sensing and global
environmental change. Chichester: Wiley Blackwell
2. Harrison, R.M. (ed.). (2007) Principles of environmental
chemistry. London: Royal Society of Chemistry
3. Journal: Water research
7. Library Catalogue – e-books and
e-journals
• E-books and e-journals are also found on the
Library Catalogue.
• You will see ‘[electronic resource]’ after the
title.
• Click on the blue link to download or read the
book or journal online (You must be logged
into myUniHub!)
11. Introduction to journal
databases
Key databases for Environmental Health literature:
Web of Science
(Science Citation Index)
Science Direct
Leading science and
technical journals
Full-text science journals
12. Searching Web of Science
Library Subject Guide – Public Health, Risk,
Safety & Environment
Resources
Finding journal articles / Using databases
Web of Science
14. Accessing the articles you
have found
• A link to the full-text article may appear.
• If it does not, go to the Library Catalogue and do an
A-Z Search for the journal title.
• Try this one:
• If we do not have access, use our Inter-LibraryLoan service.
15. Peer review
• A formal procedure for checking the quality of
research before it is published.
• If a publication is peer reviewed it means it has
been read, checked and authenticated by
independent, third party academics (peers).
• The quality-control system of academic publishing
for hundreds of years.
20. Need help?
• Librarians in the Specialist Zone (1st floor) 11-3
Monday – Friday (on call 9-11, 3-5)
• Ask a Librarian http://askalibrarian.mdx.ac.uk/
• BMS Library Subject Guide
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/biomedicalsciences
Notas del editor
ALL STUDENTS DO THIS LIVE.
NEXT – NOW CLICK ON LIBRARY CATALOGUE LINK
DEMO: Search for this: Ball, D., Environmental Health policy, 2006.
TASK FOR STUDENTS: 2 minutes to try the 3 searches, then feed back to class.
WHEN TAKING FEEDBACK: Explain how to find books on shelf.
Note that Harrison is also an e-book. Note blue link.
Note that the journal is available with two date ranges. Note blue links.
EVERYONE: Go back to My Study then choose Summon link.
EXPLAIN: Hold up a print journal to explain coverage of Summon as opposed to Library Catalogue.
Explain the MDX cookie.
Let’s have a quick look at Summon, but specific journal databases are more appropriate for postgraduate students.
STUDENTS DO: Search for chemotherapy
Try refining tools: Full-text, Content type, Pub date.
EVERYONE: Go back to My Study then choose Library Subject Guides link.
POINT OUT:
Home page > Appointments
Resources > Catalogue, Summon, Databases, Web resources
Information Skills > Powerpoints, Referencing
ASK THE STUDENTS TO FIND THESE ELEMENTS IN THE RECORD:
Name of first author
Title of article
Title of journal in which it is printed
Year
Volume & Issue
Is there an Abstract?
HOLD UP: A print journal, to help explain the elements you are asking them to find
ALL STUDENTS DO THIS LIVE.
ALL STUDENTS DO THIS WITH YOU:
Type in ‘water pollution’ AND ‘eutrophication’
Select Timespan and Citation Databases.
ASK STUDENTS: How many articles has it found?
SHOW THEM: A full-text result on p3 and p7.
STUDENTS SEARCH THEMSELVES
STICK A3 KEYWORDS SHEET ON WALL: Water pollution, Eutrophication, Blue-green algae, Phosphates, Nitrates
After 5 mins, take some feedback from students
DEMO: Search the Library Catalogue for this journal. (We DO have it, despite the lack of ‘Full-text’ button).
Students can do it too.
Can show the journal PLOS One as an example of a peer reviewed journal
Do a QUICK DEMO of each.
STUDENTS try some searches like the ones we did Web of Science, then feedback the pros and cons of each database.
ONLY IF THERE’S TIME:
Show students how to link Google Scholar to Middlesex, and explain benefits.