Deakin University | Smart Searcher

SMART SEARCHER GLOSSARY

Abstract An abstract is usually a brief summary outlining the main content of a journal article.

Adobe Acrobat A computer program used for PDF files. It is available on the Deakin Learning Toolkit CD-Rom or from the Deakin ITS software library on the web.

Bibliography A list at the end of your assignment that includes works for background or further reading as well as those you have referred to in the text.

Bookmark A method of storing individual web pages or web locations on your computer. Bookmark is the term used by Netscape; Favorites is the Internet Explorer term.

Boolean Operators A means of combining searches to broaden or narrow search results. The operator and narrows a search; the operator or broadens a search.

Broaden To alter a search in order to retrieve more references. Using the Boolean Operator "or" broadens a search.

Browser Software used to view and interact with resources available on the World Wide Web. The most common browsers are Netscape and Internet Explorer.

Call number A set of numeric and alphabetical symbols that identifies an item in a library collection and indicates its physical location (usually on a library shelf), eg. 371.9046 All/Tbo

Catalogue Lists all the material held (both print and electronic) at all campuses of Deakin University Library.

Catalogue record Details that identify a particular title, including bibliographic details, catalogue access points and physical location.

Chat room An online discussion group which facilitates simultaneous live electronic discussion

Citation Information that identifies a particular publication. Details usually include author, title, date of publication, journal title (if applicable), volume and page numbers. Citations are sometimes called References.

COOLCAT The library holdings of Victorian university libraries and the State Library of Victoria are contained in COOLCAT (Cooperative Online Catalogue) database.

Database A database is an organised collection of information records that can be accessed electronically. In the Library this includes indexing and abstracting databases or databases of fulltext journal articles.

Deakin username and password This provides access to most IT resources on the Deakin network and is administered by Information Technology Services (ITS).

Descriptors Also known as subject headings, these are used to describe the main content or topic of a publication. Subject headings are usually derived from a controlled vocabulary of terms to which indexers must adhere to ensure consistency of content description.

Dewey Decimal Classification A system for classifying human knowledge into subject areas. It is based on a decimal numbering system which groups related subjects together. It was established in the late nineteenth century by an American called Melvil Dewey.

Deakin Learning Toolkit A CD-Rom of software and information available to all Deakin University students.

Discussion lists Also known as mailing lists, these are email distribution lists based on a particular topic or for a particular group. These lists are only accessible on a subscription basis. Students and teachers can both post and respond to messages.

Electronic Readings (Electronic Reserve) Unit readings that are in high demand and made available through the Library catalogue. Usually available in PDF (Portable Document Format) files.

Electronic journals Journals published in electronic format, often available on the Internet.

Email Messages that are sent electronically via computer networks

Favorites A method of storing individual web pages or web locations on your computer. Bookmark is the term used by Netscape; Favorites is the Internet Explorer term.

Field Describes the elements making up a database record.

Field name Field names are usually located on the left hand side of a database record and indicate the content of each field.

Full-text A complete document held on a database. Graphics may or may not be included.

Harvard A style of referencing that uses the author/date system.

Homepage The main web page for an organisation, person or interest group. It is usually the first, or welcoming, page of a Web site.

Hyperlink A highlighted word or image within a hypertext document which, when clicked, takes you to another place within that document or to another site altogether.

Hypertext The defining feature of the World Wide Web that allows users to move easily within a particular document or between web sites using hyperlinks.

Inter Campus Loan (ICL) or Inter Campus Photocopy An item requested from another campus of Deakin University Library.

Internet A network of computer networks which operates world-wide using a common set of communications protocols.

Journal A publication issued in successive parts, intended to be continued indefinitely. Typically, a periodical contains a collection of articles by different authors, often in a particular subject area. Journals are also known as Periodicals and Serials.

Keyword The word or words that relate to a particular topic. Keywords or phrases are used to construct a search statement to find information.

Moys classification A classification system designed specifically to deal with the subject area of Law.

Narrow To alter a search in order to retrieve fewer hits. The use of the Boolean Operator "and" narrows a search.

Network A group of computers, connected by a telecommunications link, that share information.

PDF Portable Document Format. An electronic document that must be read with the Adobe Acrobat computer program.

Periodical A publication issued in successive parts, intended to be continued indefinitely. Typically, a journal contains a collection of articles by different authors, often in a particular subject area. Periodicals are also known as Journals and Serials.

Reciprocal Borrowing A scheme which allows Deakin University students to access other University and TAFE libraries.

Record In library databases a record is made up of fields that describe the parts of a publication, eg. journal article, book, conference paper or web site.

Reference Information that identifies a particular publication. Details usually include author, title, date of publication, journal title (if applicable), volume and page numbers. References are sometimes called Citations.

Reference List A list at the end of your assignment which includes all the information necessary to identify and retrieve each work (journal articles, books etc.) you have referred to in the text.

Reserve Collection Books and audiovisual items, which are in high demand and are available for a two hour loan within the Library.

Search engines Computer programs which search for Web documents by keywords or phrases.

Serial A publication issued in successive parts, intended to be continued indefinitely. Typically, a serial contains a collection of articles by different authors, often in a particular subject area. Serials are also known as Journals and Periodicals.

Server A computer that delivers information and software to other computers linked by a network.

Spiders Computer programs used by search engines to roam the World Wide Web. They are used to update the collection of Web pages stored in search engines.

Subject directory Organised lists of Web pages, divided into hierarchically grouped subject areas as a result of human effort. They are also known as subject gateways.

Subject gateway Organised lists of Web pages, divided into hierarchically grouped subject areas as a result of human effort. They are also known as subject directories.

Subject heading A word or phrase from a controlled vocabulary which is used to describe the subject of a document. The most commonly used subject headings in libraries are the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).

Subject Resource Guides Guides to subject areas in the major teaching areas of the University. They are a useful starting point for researching a subject area.

Telnet A standard Internet protocol for accessing remote systems.

Truncation A method of shortening a search term to enable retrieval on variants of the same term, eg. using the search term "econom" in conjunction with an appropriate truncation symbol (such as *, ?, or %) will retrieve material containing the words "economy, economies, economic, economical".

URL The Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a resource available on the Internet. It contains 4 parts: the protocol name, the domain name, the directory path, and the file name.

W3 A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as WWW, the Web and the World Wide Web.

Web A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as WWW, W3 and the World Wide Web.

Web site The entire collection of Web pages for a specific organisation, person or interest group. The first of these pages is usually the Home page.

WebSPIRS The name of the web software interface used to access the Silverplatter group of databases.

WinSPIRS The name of the Windows software interface used to access the Silverplatter group of databases.

World Wide Web A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as WWW, W3 and the Web.

WWW A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as W3, the Web and the World Wide Web.

Abstract	An abstract is usually a brief summary outlining the main content of a journal article.
Adobe Acrobat	A computer program used for PDF files. It is available on the Deakin Learning Toolkit CD-Rom or from the Deakin ITS software library on the web.
Bibliography	A list at the end of your assignment that includes works for background or further reading as well as those you have referred to in the text.
Bookmark	A method of storing individual web pages or web locations on your computer. Bookmark is the term used by Netscape; Favorites is the Internet Explorer term.
Boolean Operators	A means of combining searches to broaden or narrow search results. The operator and narrows a search; the operator or broadens a search.
Broaden	To alter a search in order to retrieve more references. Using the Boolean Operator "or" broadens a search.
Browser	Software used to view and interact with resources available on the World Wide Web. The most common browsers are Netscape and Internet Explorer.
Call number	A set of numeric and alphabetical symbols that identifies an item in a library collection and indicates its physical location (usually on a library shelf), eg. 371.9046 All/Tbo
Catalogue	Lists all the material held (both print and electronic) at all campuses of Deakin University Library.
Catalogue record	Details that identify a particular title, including bibliographic details, catalogue access points and physical location.
Chat room	An online discussion group which facilitates simultaneous live electronic discussion
Citation	Information that identifies a particular publication. Details usually include author, title, date of publication, journal title (if applicable), volume and page numbers. Citations are sometimes called References.
COOLCAT	The library holdings of Victorian university libraries and the State Library of Victoria are contained in COOLCAT (Cooperative Online Catalogue) database.
Database	A database is an organised collection of information records that can be accessed electronically. In the Library this includes indexing and abstracting databases or databases of fulltext journal articles.
Deakin username and password	This provides access to most IT resources on the Deakin network and is administered by Information Technology Services (ITS).
Descriptors	Also known as subject headings, these are used to describe the main content or topic of a publication. Subject headings are usually derived from a controlled vocabulary of terms to which indexers must adhere to ensure consistency of content description.
Dewey Decimal Classification	A system for classifying human knowledge into subject areas. It is based on a decimal numbering system which groups related subjects together. It was established in the late nineteenth century by an American called Melvil Dewey.
Deakin Learning Toolkit	A CD-Rom of software and information available to all Deakin University students.
Discussion lists	Also known as mailing lists, these are email distribution lists based on a particular topic or for a particular group. These lists are only accessible on a subscription basis. Students and teachers can both post and respond to messages.
Electronic Readings (Electronic Reserve)	Unit readings that are in high demand and made available through the Library catalogue. Usually available in PDF (Portable Document Format) files.
Electronic journals	Journals published in electronic format, often available on the Internet.
Email	Messages that are sent electronically via computer networks
Favorites	A method of storing individual web pages or web locations on your computer. Bookmark is the term used by Netscape; Favorites is the Internet Explorer term.
Field	Describes the elements making up a database record.
Field name	Field names are usually located on the left hand side of a database record and indicate the content of each field.
Full-text	A complete document held on a database. Graphics may or may not be included.
Harvard	A style of referencing that uses the author/date system.
Homepage	The main web page for an organisation, person or interest group. It is usually the first, or welcoming, page of a Web site.
Hyperlink	A highlighted word or image within a hypertext document which, when clicked, takes you to another place within that document or to another site altogether.
Hypertext	The defining feature of the World Wide Web that allows users to move easily within a particular document or between web sites using hyperlinks.
Inter Campus Loan (ICL) or Inter Campus Photocopy	An item requested from another campus of Deakin University Library.
Internet	A network of computer networks which operates world-wide using a common set of communications protocols.
Journal	A publication issued in successive parts, intended to be continued indefinitely. Typically, a periodical contains a collection of articles by different authors, often in a particular subject area. Journals are also known as Periodicals and Serials.
Keyword	The word or words that relate to a particular topic. Keywords or phrases are used to construct a search statement to find information.
Moys classification	A classification system designed specifically to deal with the subject area of Law.
Narrow	To alter a search in order to retrieve fewer hits. The use of the Boolean Operator "and" narrows a search.
Network	A group of computers, connected by a telecommunications link, that share information.
PDF	Portable Document Format. An electronic document that must be read with the Adobe Acrobat computer program.
Periodical	A publication issued in successive parts, intended to be continued indefinitely. Typically, a journal contains a collection of articles by different authors, often in a particular subject area. Periodicals are also known as Journals and Serials.
Reciprocal Borrowing	A scheme which allows Deakin University students to access other University and TAFE libraries.
Record	In library databases a record is made up of fields that describe the parts of a publication, eg. journal article, book, conference paper or web site.
Reference	Information that identifies a particular publication. Details usually include author, title, date of publication, journal title (if applicable), volume and page numbers. References are sometimes called Citations.
Reference List	A list at the end of your assignment which includes all the information necessary to identify and retrieve each work (journal articles, books etc.) you have referred to in the text.
Reserve Collection	Books and audiovisual items, which are in high demand and are available for a two hour loan within the Library.
Search engines	Computer programs which search for Web documents by keywords or phrases.
Serial	A publication issued in successive parts, intended to be continued indefinitely. Typically, a serial contains a collection of articles by different authors, often in a particular subject area. Serials are also known as Journals and Periodicals.
Server	A computer that delivers information and software to other computers linked by a network.
Spiders	Computer programs used by search engines to roam the World Wide Web. They are used to update the collection of Web pages stored in search engines.
Subject directory	Organised lists of Web pages, divided into hierarchically grouped subject areas as a result of human effort. They are also known as subject gateways.
Subject gateway	Organised lists of Web pages, divided into hierarchically grouped subject areas as a result of human effort. They are also known as subject directories.
Subject heading	A word or phrase from a controlled vocabulary which is used to describe the subject of a document. The most commonly used subject headings in libraries are the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH).
Subject Resource Guides	Guides to subject areas in the major teaching areas of the University. They are a useful starting point for researching a subject area.
Telnet	A standard Internet protocol for accessing remote systems.
Truncation	A method of shortening a search term to enable retrieval on variants of the same term, eg. using the search term "econom" in conjunction with an appropriate truncation symbol (such as *, ?, or %) will retrieve material containing the words "economy, economies, economic, economical".
URL	The Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a resource available on the Internet. It contains 4 parts: the protocol name, the domain name, the directory path, and the file name.
W3	A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as WWW, the Web and the World Wide Web.
Web	A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as WWW, W3 and the World Wide Web.
Web site	The entire collection of Web pages for a specific organisation, person or interest group. The first of these pages is usually the Home page.
WebSPIRS	The name of the web software interface used to access the Silverplatter group of databases.
WinSPIRS	The name of the Windows software interface used to access the Silverplatter group of databases.
World Wide Web	A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as WWW, W3 and the Web.
WWW	A network of servers linked together by a common protocol, allowing access to millions of hypertext resources. It is also known as W3, the Web and the World Wide Web.