Using the Library effectively for Education Studies Christine Purcell Durham University Library Oct 2009.

Using the Library effectively for Education Studies

Christine Purcell

Durham University Library

Oct 2009

Aims of the session

To help you to:• Identify and find items on your reading lists • Find information relevant to your needs • Identify keywords for your assignments• Know where to go for help

Library basics

• University Library - 4 libraries

• Opening hours

• Loan entitlements

• Durham University email

• Contacts / support

Library services

• Laptop loan

• Study rooms / spaces

• Long opening hours

• Borrowing and returns

• Off-campus access

• Disability support

New Students support

http://www.dur.ac.uk/library/newstudents/

• Face-to-face tours – book now!

• Audio, virtual and self-guided tours

• Online training

• Library catalogue is THE gateway to print and online resources

Plan your assignment research

• What are you actually looking at?

• Decide on your keywords & synonyms

• Do your search

• Different endings (truncation)

• Review your results

• Modify search if necessary

Search strategy

• Assignment topic – Role of special needs support in schools

– What information are you looking for?– Alternative terms– What date range?– Primary or secondary?

Effective searching

AND, OR & AND NOT

Behaviour management AND NOT dyslexia

Behaviour management AND dyslexia

Behaviour management OR dyslexia

Resources

Which resources would

you use when researching

for your assignment?

Freely available web sources

• Subject Gateways (via Subject Information pages)

• Google Scholar

• ac.uk or edu sites

• Why evaluate?

Book References

Arnold, C. (2001) Child development and learning, 2-5 years: Georgia’s story. London: Paul Chapman.

Siegler, R. (2002) ‘The rebirth of children’s learning.’ in Desforges, C and Fox, R (ed.) Teaching and learning: the essential readings. Oxford: Blackwell, pp 63-83..

Shelfmarks

• Books on similar topics shelved together

• (Prefix) - Class number – Suffix

• Examples:

301.2 KEN Regular size books

+ 301.01 ABR   Oversize

Pam 370.152 SIM Pamphlet

Journals• Regular peer reviewed publications• Information on very specific topics• Up-to-date information, news, reviews etc;• Print and/or electronic versions• Databases search multiple journals

White, J. (2004) ‘Should religious education be a compulsory school subject? ’ British Journal of Religious Education, 26(2) pp. 151-164.

References and Bibliographies

• Always keep a full and accurate record of your information sources

• E-mail references to yourself from Library catalogue or databases

• Make sure you refer correctly to other authors within your work

Any questions?

• Christine Purcell – c.w.purcell@durham.ac.uk