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Library Orientation Programme: Getting started - Session 1

Getting Started - Session 1 - Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this section you should be able to

  • Successfully find a journal article or book from a reference.
  • Identify key sources of information in your subject area or context and have an awareness of different information types

[Level 1 Skill - Finding information in Library Research Skills Framework]

These Learning Outcomes will support you in achieving your module learning outcomes:-

Module SOES1013 Learning Outcome

  • C1 - Effectively use library resources, including via literature searches, and use of electronic catalogues.

Module SOES1014 Learning Outcome

  • C1 - Effectively use library resources, including via literature searches, and use of electronic catalogues.

Instructions

Instructions

Complete each tutorial and activity as directed. 

Reading Lists

Reading Lists

Your tutors and lecturers will recommend what scientific and academic books and journal articles you should read to help you understand what is being discussed in lectures, seminars and tutorials. As an independent learner it is up to you find and read them.

You may be given a list of items as a Word document, sometimes the details may be given on a lecture slide or you may have a reading list on your Blackboard module or in the online Reading lists system

The readings on a list are often differentiated between suggested and recommended or essential reading. Sometimes, these terms may be used interchangeably, which may be confusing:

  • Essential reading refers to everything that you must read as part of your course. This is the most basic requirement of reading.
  • Recommended or suggested reading refers to material that may go beyond this. It is reading that will be helpful to place in context the core issues and ideas relating to your course. This will help you to understand more and to secure better marks in assessment.

Reading lists are created by experienced teaching staff and designed to direct you to useful, relevant and necessary information. As such, reading lists are important in enabling you to develop a critical understanding of the course and to succeed in your assessments.

 

Now do this short activity which will explain how to pick out the key information from reading lists which you will need to find the the books or journal articles in the library.

  

Understanding your reading lists​

Allow approximately 8 minutes to complete this learning activity.

By the end of this activity you should be able to:

  • identify the different resources on your reading lists
  • use tools and approaches to find resources from your reading lists

Getting started

Watch each of the videos below to find out how best to use the Library Search to find information for your assignments.

Sign into Library Search. This will allow you to search for library resources and more.

To search for resources,

Start by entering your terms in the Search Bar. The video below will demonstrate how to conduct basic searches

 

Use the filters on the left side of the screen to narrow your search as demonstrated in the video below.

 

View the search results and select the item by using the hyperlink.

If you need help and want to use the Chat service, select the top blue round icon located on the lower right side of the screen. If you want to choose more databases, select the lower blue icon on right side of the screen.

If you would like to use Advanced Searches functionalities, please watch this short video that will cover all basic functionality of the system.

Practice your library catalogue searching skills

Now practice using the library search to find information with this short quiz

link to Reading list quiz (use your University login to sign-in)

Assignment Planner

This Assignment Planner is a step-by-step guide to help you plan, organise and find the resources you need to complete individual assignments. Take some time to familarise yourself with the planner and think about using it to help you plan and compete an assignment that you will be doing this year.

Next

Now go to the Literature Databases section