LEARNING SKILLS FOR OPEN DISTANCE LEARNERS

OUMH1103SMP

SET 5MR. WILLIAM & DAVID

QUESTION 4(a)

QUESTION 4(a)(a) Leeza is preparing to write one of her

assignments. She, however, does not haveenough material to start writing. She contactedher tutor and was advised to read a book entitled‘Collaborative working in higher education : thesocial academy”. Her tutor, however, hasforgotten the name of the author of the book buthe is sure that the book is available at OUMphysical library. Leeza wants to check theavailability of the book before going to thelibrary. She not know how to do so. She call youup and seeks from you.

List down the steps that she needs to follow to enable her to view the availability of the book via OPAC. Utilize an appropriate search strategy to get the required information.

OPAC Search Strategies

STEP 1 :

Click the ‘library’ icon on the LMSmenu bar to go to the Library portal.Click on the Home icon on the librarymenu bar to go the search menu.

STEP 2 :

Type the search term in the searchbox – the author’s name, title of thematerial, subject or keyword. Selectthe correct search type –‘Collaborative working in highereducation : the social academy’.Press <Enter> to execute the search.

STEP 3 :

The search Result screen willappear. Scan the bibliographicrecords for relevant materials.Click or select the item that youneed.

STEP 4 :

Check detail of the item, and notedown the Call Number from theitem record diplayed.

STEP 5 :

Locate the item on the shelvesbased on the Call Number in theLibrary.

OPAC SEARCH STRATEGIES

TOPIC : Skill in Information Retrieval

Sub Topic : Searching OPAC

8.1.1 : OPAC Search Strategies

Pages : 173 - 177

QUESTION 4(b)

QUESTION 4(b)

(b) Leeza found an interesting website andshe printed the information from thewebsite and showed it to her tutor duringone of the tutorials. Leeza informed hertutor that she would want to quote some ofthe information in the website to supportsome of her point in her assignment. Hertutor, however, told her that theinformation in the website cannot be usedin her assignment.

Explain to Leeza, FIVE posiblereasons why the information in thewebsite is not suitable to beincluded in her assignment.

KEY TERMS

Authority

Authorship should be a major criterion in the internet.

Accuracy and Reliability

Every fact must be verified for accuracy and reliability.

Objectivity

It should not be propagandamaterial or have a bias inpolitics, religion, gender, race, nation or personal philosophy.

Currency

Currency of information means how current the information is and whether currency is important.

The latest edition will ensure that the information provided is up to date.

Scope

The scope of the matter written about is important because unless the information provided is comprehensive.