Advanced Library Information Skills for USP Students Conducted

Advanced Library Information Skills for USP Students Conducted by Mrs. Hew Yik Suan Manager (Science Library)

Today’s Topics n n How to initiate a systematic approach on conducting research How to search the relevant reference databases available for your subject of study

Starting a Research Project Identify the research topic Initiate a literature search

How to initiate a literature search? n n Start with a simple / quick literature search in LINC Follow with an extensive search in relevant reference databases in Digital Library

How to construct the search concept? Identify keywords & main concepts List synonyms for each concept Think of the broader terms for each concept to get a better perspective on your research topic

Research Topic : Altruism in Animals

Altruism n n Zoology behaviour of an animal that benefits another at its own expense Selfless concern for the well being of others The practice of thinking of the needs and desires of other people instead of your own Sacrifice, if necessary of life itself, so that others, commonly offspring or other genetically close younger relatives, may survive or otherwise benefit.

Search Concept Research Topic: Altruism in Animals Keywords Synonyms Broader Terms Altruism Unselfish behavior Helping behavior Social behavior Sociobiology Social psychology Kinship selection Reciprocal altruism Tit-for-tat Animals Living creature Human Animal kingdom Animal World Zoology

Search Concept Research Topic : A Study of Eulerian graph Keywords Synonyms Broader Terms Eulerian graph Euler tour Graphs & multi graphs Trails Multi graph with even vertices Postman problem

Use Boolean operators to formulate the search statement n n n AND is used to indicate that both terms must be present OR is used to indicate that either terms may be present NOT is used to indicate that one term must be present For example: (Graph! OR Combinatoric*) NOT (Function graph!) (altrui! OR unselfish behavior) AND (animal*) NOT (ant*)

Search Relevance How do you know that the search is relevant? You may consider the following questions : n n n Does the item give an overview of your topic? Does the item cover one or some aspects of your topic? Does the item cover the situation in the country and place that you are covering?

Evaluating Sources How good are the sources? In evaluating your sources, you may wish to consider the following general criteria: n n Authority (Is it done by the experts in that field? ) Accuracy (Are the information, data or methods reliable? ) n Objectivity (How objective is it? Is it peer reviewed? ) n Timeliness (Is the information up-to-date? )

How do you cite references ? Book Chen, J. F. 1995. Nutritional immunology. Provo, Utah: Bright Ideas Press. Chapter in Book Williams, M. E. 1992. Molecular biology of cytoplasmic male sterility. In Plant Breeding Reviews, ed. Janick, J. , pp. 23 -51. New York: Wiley. Journal Article Pierrard, V. 2003. Evaporation of hydrogen and helium atoms from the atmospheres of Earch and Mars. Planetary and Space Science 51: 319 -327. Conference paper Turner, S. and Somerville, C. 1995. Analysis of vascular tissue differentiation. 6 th International Conference on Arabidopsis Research. 93 -95. Theses Ng Khee Yew. 1997. Regulation of photosynthesis and phloem transport in Oncidium Goldiana. (B. Sc. Hons. ) School of Biological Sciences, The National University of Singapore. Pp. 126

Searching one database may not be sufficient, do the search in a few other relevant databases to get wider coverage and perspective.

Abstracts and Indexes Biological Sciences Reference Databases in Digital Library : BIOSIS Previews Science Citation Index Sci. Finder Scholar Pub. Med Encyclopedia of Life Sciences Standalone CD-ROMs in Science Library: Life Science CD Focus on Genetics Zoological Abstracts on Compact Disc

Abstracts and Indexes Mathematics Reference Databases in Digital Library : Math. Sci. Net Science Citation Index NUSNET (via CD-ROM on Windows) Encyclopedia of Mathematics Standalone CD-ROMs in Science Library: Current Index to Statistics CIS Extended Database Calculus Live Math. Cad 2001

Abstracts and Indexes n Physics n Reference Databases in Digital Library: n n INSPEC Science Citation Index SPIN (Searchable Physics Information Notices) Standalone CD-ROMs in Science Library n n Powder Diffraction File Handbook of Chemistry and Physics

Abstracts and Indexes Computer Science Reference Databases in Digital Library : n IEEE Xplore n n n ISI Essential Science Indicators ISI Proceedings INSPEC ACM Online Guide to Computing Literature Math. Sci. Net Standalone CD-ROMs in Science Library: n n n ISTP on CD-ROM Computer Abstracts Hilites Database

Abstracts and Indexes Chemistry n Reference Databases in Digital Library : n n n Sci. Finder Scholar Science Citation Index Dictionary of Substances and their Effects MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) Food Science and Technology Standalone CD-ROMs in Science Library: n n Powder Diffraction File Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International Properties of Organic Compounds ACD/ Labs Software: IUPAC Name Pro 4. 5 & Aldrich FT-NMR Library Pro 4. 5

Reference Databases Search n Science. Direct consists of: • BIOSIS Previews • INSPEC • Compendex • MEDLINE n Math. Sci. Net

Access the Digital Library http: //www. lib. nus. edu. sg/digital/inde x. html

Access the Digital Library off-Campus http: //www. lib. nus. edu. sg/help/digital/acc essdl. html

BIOSIS Previews n n n BIOSIS Previews is the reference database in the Life Sciences Links to full text journals, access depend on whether NUS Libraries subscribes to them Requires login ID and Password for using full search features http: //www. lib. nus. edu. sg/digital/

Math. Sci. Net is a searchable database providing access to “Mathematical Reviews” and “Current Mathematical Publications” both produced by the American Mathematical Society.

Math. Sci. Net It provides: Fulltext coverage of “Mathematical Reviews” from to the present (updated monthly) Bibliographic data for recent and forthcoming publications in “Current Mathematical Publications” (updated daily)

Useful Writing Guides Guide to the successful thesis and dissertation/ J. E. Mauch & J. W. Birch. – Marcel Dekker, 1998. (LB 2369 Mau) (SC Ref 9) Mathematics into type. Updated ed. – American Mathematical Society, 1999. (T 11 Swa) (SC Ref 9) The scientist’s handbook for writing papers and dissertations/ A. M. Wilkinson. – Prentice Hall, 1991. (T 11 Wil) (SC Ref 9)

Useful Writing Guides A student handbook for writing in biology/ K. Knisely. – Freeman, 2002. (QH 304 Kni 2002) (SC Ref 5) The write right guide /C. Low & D. Pan. - 5 th ed. – Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning, NUS. (PE 1408 Low 2003) (SC Ref 9) Writing research papers : a complete guide/ J. D. Lester. - 9 th ed. – Longman, 1999. (LB 2369 Les) (SC Ref 9) Writing science through critical thinking / M. F. Moriarty. Jones & Bartlett Pub. , 1997. (T 11 Mor) (SC Main Shelves)

What do you do when the materials you want is not found in the NUS Libraries? You may request the library to obtain the item for you through electronic forms available at Digital Library Request for Document Delivery Request to Purchase New Books for the Library Request to Subscribe to New Journals for the Library Check whether other major local libraries (NTU, Singapore Polytechnic, Botanic Gardens) hold a particular book or journal

Science Library Exercises for the Advanced Library Information Skills for USP Students Workshop 1. Construct a search statement for the following research topic. (Select one of them) a). A study of Zebra-fish trade in Singapore b). Quantum theory of tunneling c). A study of Set Theory and Logic 2. List the keywords, synonyms, and broader terms for the topic Keywords Synonyms Broader Terms 3. What reference databases are you going to use for the above topic? 4. Too many references? Too less references? What can you do to broaden or narrow down the search?

Search Concept Research Topic : A study of Zebra-fish trade in Singapore Keywords Synonyms Broader terms Zebrafish Danio rerio Osteichthyes Tropical fish Ornamental fish Freshwater fish Pisces Trade Industry Business Commerce Singapore ASEAN Asia Southeast Asia Tropics

Research Topic: Quantum theory of tunneling Keyword Synonyms Broader Terms Quantum Theory Quantum mechanic Physics Tunneling Potential barrier Junction

A study of Set theory and Logic Keyword Synonyms Broader Term Set theory Symbolic Mathematics Logic Reasoning thought & thinking Methodology Intellect Philosophy