An introduction to Durham University Library for international postgraduate researchers

1. An introduction to Durham University Library for international postgraduate researchers Laura Jeffrey and MamtimynSunuodula

2. Session overview • Using academic resources • Using the library • Search strategies • The library catalogue • Searching for journal articles • References • Evaluation

3. Using academic resources • Importance of using academic resources • Books • Journals • Evaluating content • Compare resources • Follow up references • Peer review

4. Using the Library • Library = four buildings and online • Library ‘language’ • Shared resources • Information • Web: www.dur.ac.uk/library • In person: enquiries, liaison librarian, researcher training librarian

5. Search strategies • Think about what you need to search for before you start searching • synonyms: e.g. survey or questionnaire • British and American spellings. Use wildcards e.g. colo*r finds colour and color • truncation: e.g. educati* finds results for education, educating, educationalist

6. Combining your results AND OR nuclear AND energy energy OR power NOT nuclear NOT bomb

7. Examining the impact of teenagecrime in the inner city AND AND OR OR OR

8. Search string (teen* ORyouth ORjuvenile ORadolescen*) AND (crim* OR shoplift* OR “anti-social behavio*r” OR theft) AND (“inner city” OR cit* OR London)

9. Search strategies activity • write your thesis title in the box at the top of the Search Strategy Grid • or devise a research question connected to your subject • identify the keywords within your title and write these at the top of the columns • write synonyms under each keyword

10. Catalogue • Searches all print and electronic content that the library subscribes to • Search • Recall • Renew • Store and intersite requests • Search history • New book alerts Catalogue

11. Catalogue activity • Carry out searches on your topic • Login to your record • Set up search history • Set up new books alerts

12. Journal articles • Why use articles? • Access titles from the catalogue or browse A-Z listing • Check date coverage • Access articles from a database • Bibliographic details or full-text • General or subject-specific • Use to find out if we have access

13. Journals activity • Search for a journal title on the catalogue or browse the A-Z listing • Search a database in your subject area to find articles using your search string

14. References • Important to keep track of references as you go along • Use catalogue and database functions to email details to yourself • Make use of software – Endnote • More information on references • More information on plagiarism

15. Further information • Finding and managing information courses – book via University Training Booking System • See your liaison librarian • Ask for help in the library • Email www.dur.ac.uk/library/using/enquiries/ • Ask your supervisor • Stay now for advice and to ask questions

16. Evaluation Please tell us what you thought of today’s session by completing the online evaluation form at: www.survey.bris.ac.uk/durham/intpgroct09