Basic Library Information Skills
USP Students
conducted by
Kan Sok Cheng
MSc (Info Stud.) Sheffield, B Sc (Est Mgt) Hons NUS
Science Library
for
Outline
Doing Research
Using LINC
Using indexes
Practice session
Objective
To save your time
To show you how and where to start
your research
Search Strategy
START
List
concepts in
topic
Eg: Origin
of Genetic
Code
Consult
- Tutor
- Librarian
Get the materials
online via Digital
Library
List terms to
describe
concepts
Origin,
development,
evolution
Search for
materials
Use
LINC to
check if
the
Library
has?
- Articles
(journals,)
Genetic code,
DNA
-Books
N
Note
location
and
call #
to get
material
Use
references
in books
and
articles
to get
more
readings
Information
sufficient?
Y
END
Search Statement
Boolean operators
Broadening a search
OR is used to indicate that any of the terms may be present
AND is used to indicate that both terms must be present
Narrowing a search
Topic : Origin of the genetic
code
Key Concepts
Keywords
Origin
Origin, Evolution,
Development
Genetic code, DNA,
Genetic code
Search Statement:
(origin or evolution or development) and
(genetic code or DNA)
(origin or evolution or development)
and (genetic code)
evolution
Origin
Development
Genetic code
Topic : The Rings of Saturn
Key Concepts
Keywords
Rings
Rings; Saturnian ring
Saturn
Saturn,
Search statement:
(ring and saturn) or saturnian ring
(ring and saturn)
or saturnian ring
Saturian ring
Ring
Saturn
Search for materials
Materials you need:
Books/Journals
Book chapters
/Articles in journals
and conferences
Initial Tools
LINC
Indexes & Abstracts
databases
Step 3 : Search for materials
LINC
What is in the NUS Library collection
Has links to electronic journals
Search LINC : http://linc.nus.edu.sg/
Step 3 : Search for materials
How to find Journals in LINC
Author and title of article
Mark R. Showalter. Detection of Centimeter-Sized
Meteoroid Impact Events in Saturn's F Ring
Science. 1998 282: 1099-1102
Journal title
Publication year, Volume, issue &
page of article
Search LINC : http://linc.nus.edu.sg/
Digital Library
LINC
Index and Abstracts Databases
InfoGate – coming soon!
Indexes & Abstracts
Index/Abstracts
database
Bibliographic
citation
Schmit, U. ; Tschamuter, W.M. On the formation of
the fine-scale structure in Saturn's B ring, Icarus,
Volume 138, Issue 2, 1999, Pages 173-187
Link to articles online
Article 1
Article 2
Article n
Journal 1
Article 1
Article 2
Journal 2
Article n
Chap 1
Chap 2
Book
Chap n
Check the source title
(book/journal) in LINC
General Databases
Web of Science – Science Citation
Expanded Index

covers academic journals in all fields of
science
Expanded Academic ASAP Int'l Ed

General knowledge across all academic
disciplines
Specialised Databases
Subject
Life Sciences
Database
Encyclopedia of Life
Science
Biosis
Medline
Specialised Databases
Subject
Database
Engineering
Compendex
Physics
Inspec
Specialised Databases
Subject
Database
Maths
MathSciNet
Computer Science
ABI-Inform
Inspec
InfoGate – Coming soon…
Common interface that able to search
across multiple data sources
Returns separate results from each
database.
Links to resource
Links to database
Demo
Rings of Saturn
Origins of genetic code
Interpreting Citations
Journal article
Matson DL, Spilker LJ, Lebreton JP. The
Cassini/Huygens mission to the Saturnian
system. SPACE SCI REV 104 (1-2): 1-58 2002
Journal title
To
Volume, issue & page of article
check up full title use Periodical Title Abbreviations:
By Abbreviations kept at Information Desk
Example: J. Mol. Biol. = Journal of Molecular Biology
Also available on internet:
http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/ecoll/ej/ejabbrev.html
Interpreting Citations
Book chapter
Author and title of book chapter
Weiner AM (1987) Evolution of the
gene. In: Watson JD, Hopkins NH,
Roberts JW, Steitz UA and Weiner AM
(eds) Molecular Biology of the Gene,
4th edn, vol. 2, pp. 1097–1163. Menlo
Park, California: Benjamin/Cummings.
Author of Book
Page of chapter
Title of Book
Interpreting Citations
Conference Proceedings
Author and title of conference
paper
Kashkarov et al., 2002. Random sequences of
proteins are exactly balanced like the canonical
base pairs of DNA. In: Proceedings of the 10th
ISSOL Meeting and 13th International
Conference on the Origin of Life, Oaxaca City,
Mexico, June 30–July 4.
Conference details
How to access Digital Library
On Campus - login to NUSNET


At students cluster
Using plug and play points & Wireless Zones
From Home:

Access through your usual ISP, login to Library
Proxy
Login valid per browser session.
Bookmarks will not work.
How to cite ...
Electronic styles : a handbook for citing
electronic information / Xia Li and Nancy B.
Crane. 2nd edition. Medford, N.J. : Information
Today, 1996. (PN171 Dat.L MD Reference 9, CL
Reference, HL Reference)
The Chicago manual of style. 14th edition. Chicago
: University of Chicago Press, 1993. (Z253 Chi SC
Reference 9)
More guides on the web from :
http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/lion/s/citation.html
Tips for Literature Search
Be patient
Be systematic
Keep proper records of
sources checked
Record the full details of
citations found
Write clearly
Ask librarian for help if
you have any problems
Database searching for
beginners
Search InfoGate
using your search
statement
To locate resources
required.
• Click on “more info”
icon, if available
• Check LINC
•Evaluate the
results list,
•Note the
databases that
gives the most
relevant records
Perform the search
again in the databases
identified in the
previous step
All the Best in your research
Approach the Information Desk if
you need help
sclib@nus.edu.sg
Practical Session
Exercise 1:
How to construct a simple search
statement for the following topic?
The physics of black hole
Answer: Physics and (black hole or black holes)
Exercise 2a:
Is the following reference available at NUS
Library collection?
Crick, F.H.C (1968). The origin of the genetic
code. Journal of Molecular Biology 38, 367-379
Answer:
Science Library closed stack : S15134
And Medical Library closed stack : MAO930
Exercise 2b:
Is the following reference available at NUS
Library collection?
Schmidt J, Salo H. Weakly nonlinear model for
oscillatory instability in Saturn's dense rings.
Phys Rev Lett. 2003. 90 (6): Art. No. 061102
Answer:
Phys Rev Lett = Physical Review Letters
Journal available in print (call no: QC1 PRL) and
online.