Author: WordPress User [sif4]

AI and the Library. Week Five: Using AI to Develop Smart Keyword Searches.

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Here at the library, we’re big fans of Primo, the library catalogue. With Primo, you’re not just able to find the books on our shelves, you’re also getting access millions of digital resources, all ready and waiting at your fingertips.

But with so many resources available to you, searching the library catalogue can sometimes feel frustrating. If you use too broad a search (e.g. “history”) then you are inundated with results. Too narrow a search term (“Neo-Gothic architecture in rural Chile”) and you’ve got nothing!

So what can you do? Our advice as subject librarians is to start by building a keyword vocabulary. Having a clear set of keywords will make your searches more targeted, helping you focus on the most relevant and useful resources. It’s a simple step that can make a huge difference in your research journey!

How Can AI Help You Build a Search Vocabulary?

An AI tool like ChatGPT can suggest smarter keywords, synonyms, and related concepts to make your searches more effective. Let’s look at some examples.

1. Smarter Alternatives to Broad Terms.

[Prompt] Suggest some keyword alternatives for “Climate change”

The AI might respond with:

  • Global warming.
  • Climate crisis.
  • Greenhouse effect.

2. Investigating Causes.

Want to explore what drives climate change? Try:

[Prompt] Provide me with a list of keywords for some of the main causes of climate change.

The response:

  • Carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Fossil fuels.
  • Industrial pollution.
  • Methane emissions.

3. Exploring Impacts.

    Do you want to focus on how climate change affects the planet? Use:

    [Prompt] Suggest keywords for the main impacts of climate change.

    Response:

    • Sea level rise.
    • Melting polar ice caps.
    • Extreme weather events.
    • Biodiversity loss.
    • Ocean acidification.

    4. Looking for Solutions

    For mitigation strategies, try:

    [Prompt] Suggest keywords for how climate change can be mitigated.

    Response

    • Renewable energy.
    • Carbon sequestration.
    • Climate change policies.
    • Green technology.
    • Sustainable development.

    Putting It All Together

    Finally, combine these ideas for a more complex search. For example:

    {Prompt] Suggest a set of keyword searches to find resources on the effects of methane emissions on biodiversity loss and what can be done to mitigate those effects.

    The AI might help you craft a search that looks like this:

    • Methane emissions and biodiversity.
    • Impact of methane on Arctic ecosystems.
    • Methane mitigation technologies in permafrost regions.

    By using AI to build a targeted keyword vocabulary, you’ll spend less time searching and more time discovering the resources you need.

    [Responses listed above were created with ChatGPT].

    AI and the Library. Week Four. Perplexity AI – Tool Review.

    WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning, Research Leave a comment

    You probably don’t need us to tell you—there are a lot of AI tools out there. While ChatGPT might have grabbed the headlines early on, Perplexity AI is quickly becoming one of our favourites here in the library.

    Perplexity AI is making waves in the world of information retrieval, and for good reason. Unlike its more conversational counterpart, ChatGPT, which often indulges in lengthy dialogues, Perplexity adopts a direct and efficient approach to answering queries. This makes it an ideal tool for those who need quick facts, thorough research, or insights into specific topics. Not only that, but it provides citations for all its responses.

    Why Choose Perplexity?

    Here are the standout features that make Perplexity a top choice:

    • Real-Time Information: Perplexity pulls fresh data directly from the web, ensuring you always get the most current information.
    • Clear Summaries: Instead of bombarding you with endless links, it delivers concise, direct answers to save you time.
    • [This is the big winner for us] Fact Verification: Every response comes with citations, so you can easily verify the credibility of the information and explore further if needed.

    How can Perplexity help you?

    • Resource discovery. It can suggest effective keywords or phrases to refine your searches in the library catalogue or other online databases. (Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post on smart keyword searches)
    • Study Aid: It can quickly clarify topics, provide concise explanations, or further explore topics for better understanding, all of which can save time during study sessions.
    • Fact-Checking: Perplexity can quickly verify claims or statistics for essays or presentations, ensuring your work is both accurate and credible.

    Some Things to Remember About Perplexity

    • Limited Conversation Depth: Perplexity isn’t as good as ChatGPT at maintaining contextual follow-ups or extended conversational exchanges.
    • Reliance on External Sources: While citations are a strong feature, the tool’s accuracy depends on the quality of its referenced sources. Always cross-check critical information where possible.
    • No Creative or Open-Ended Outputs: Perplexity isn’t designed for tasks like creative writing, brainstorming, or exploratory discussions—ChatGPT is much more suited to these tasks.

    Putting it All Together.

    Perplexity AI is a powerful tool for students and researchers, offering quick access to up-to-date information and helpful citations for fact-checking and further study.

    Unlike ChatGPT, which excels in conversations, Perplexity delivers concise answers, making it ideal for academic work. It also helps you to discover further resources by suggesting effective search keywords.

    However, it lacks the conversational depth of ChatGPT, and its accuracy depends on the quality of the sources that it cites. By combining both tools, you can make the most of your study time and make your research process more focused and effective.

    Your Subject Librarians – Supercharge Your Studies with the Library’s Secret Weapon!

    WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning Leave a comment

    Welcome (back) to university! Whether you’re a new student or returning for another year, your Subject Librarian is here to help you get the best out of the library resources at Aberystwyth.  

    Each department has a subject librarian (a list of them can be found here) 

    Here are some of the things they can help with: 

    Finding your way around the library.  

    Getting to grips with the library catalogue (Primo) including: 

    • Finding Books and Articles: Get help locating books, journal articles, and other materials for your work. 
    • Accessing Databases: Learn how to navigate academic databases to find high-quality information. 

    Understanding how to evaluate the information that you find and how to spot possible misinformation. 

    Learning how to properly reference and cite your sources in various styles (APA, Harvard, MLA, etc.) 

    You can schedule a one-on-one meeting with your librarian here, or you will usually find one of the team on the Level F desk on the top floor of the Hugh Owen Library between the hours of 10am and 5pm. 

    For more information on our library services see our Library Guides here.  

    Don’t think that we’ve forgotten teachers or researchers. Do contact your subject librarian with any library-related questions and we’ll do our best to help. You can also find information on our Teacher’s Library Guide here, and our Researcher’s Library Guide here. 

    BBC Historic Archive now available through Box of Broadcasts.

    WordPress User [sif4] Learning, Research, Teaching Leave a comment

    An old-time television setIf you are anything like me then you are probably rejoicing in the fact that the BBC’s archive of historic radio and television programmes is being made available through Box of Broadcasts.

    I for one can’t wait to watch post-apocalyptic fun-fest Z for Zachariah (broadcast in 1984 as part of the Play for Today strand). If that’s not your thing, how about Allen Ginsberg and William Burroughs talking about Jack Kerouac on Arena in 1988 ? Not for you? Then maybe an episode of Horizon from 1980 exploring how voice-controlled word processors are set to revolutionise the office). Or how about a personal tour of Stratford upon Avon in the company of Welsh playwright Huw Lloyd Edwards in Arall Fyd from 1972?

    Of course this is the BBC so there is so much more: cultural highlights (BBC Television Shakespeare); landmark light entertainment (Multi-Coloured Swap Shop – that’s my childhood, right there!) There are flagship news shows (Newsnight) and historic accounts of landmark social and cultural events (Yesterday’s Witness). It all adds up to a resource of unparalleled quality and depth.

    Box of Broadcasts have put together some useful information on how to access the historic content in the archive, but if you get stuck with anything please don’t hesitate to contact your subject librarian for help.

    Here are some other useful links for finding your way around Box of Broadcasts:

    Here are some useful links for teaching staff:

    Is Aberystwyth’s Future Under Water? Stemming the tide of Climate Change.

    WordPress User [sif4] Learning 2 Comments

    Link to the reading list: Is Aberystwyth’s Future Under Water? Stemming the tide of Climate Change

    Climate Change is a daunting subject to get to grips with and finding reliable information to help understand this most critical topic can feel overwhelming. Tackling Climate Change is the responsibility of everyone, and whether your background is in the arts, or in politics, or in the social, environmental or physical sciences, it is vital that each and every one of us does what we can to understand the impact of Climate Change on our world.

    The ‘Is Aberystwyth’s Future Under Water? Stemming the tide of Climate Change’ reading list was created by Catherine Fletcher and Annabel Cook while on an AberForward placement for the Library Academic Engagement Team. This collection of resources was initially put together to support the outcomes of the upcoming AU Festival of Research (18 – 25 October 2021) but we thought it might also be useful to a wider audience. The list seeks to provide a range of information on Climate Change both locally and globally. It includes a link to an interactive map which allows you to explore sea level rise and coastal flood threats that might affect where you live. (Be warned: it’s properly terrifying!)

    (Pictured above Climate Central Interactive Map showing the land projected to be below annual flood level in Aberystwyth and surrounding areas in 2040)

    We know how much students and residents cherish Aberystwyth so hopefully by shining a light on the negative impact that Climate Change may have on the town, it will help us, as a community, to strive towards making more sustainable choices.

    It is not just the Aberystwyth area that the resources on this list focus on. The selection of scientific articles that we have chosen outline the effects of the climatic changes which may have an impact across the globe. We also wanted to show that the research is interdisciplinary, highlighting the vital role all scientific departments throughout the university play in investigating Climate Change. The hope is that in fully understanding Climate Change, we can more efficiently predict and adapt to the challenges we are inevitably going to face.

    It is important to remember that it is not only the scientific departments who can inspire change. The arts and social sciences have a role in providing a more creative angle to thinking about and understanding Climate Change. This reading list aims to show how those disciplines are already reacting to the threat that the climate crisis poses.

    We all need to do our bit. So whether it’s studying art or studying zoology (or any subject in between) we need to bring our expertise, and our inspiration, to the great crisis of our time. Do let us know what you think of the list, it is a living document and if there are resources that you think should be there, let us know and we will add them.

    New Copyright LibGuide

    WordPress User [sif4] Help & advice, Information Skills, Learning Leave a comment

    As a student, do you want to know how copyright affects how you might prepare for and write your assignments? Perhaps you are a lecturer, and you want to know if showing a film or television programme during a lecture or seminar might be breaching copyright legislation? Or are you a researcher looking to protect your own work from being used by others without your permission?
    Answers to these and many other questions about copyright are dealt with in our new Copyright LibGuide. The LibGuide offers not just a comprehensive overview of the current copyright legislation but also practical advice on common copyright scenarios that you might encounter as part of your work here at Aberystwyth University.
    The LibGuide is available in Welsh and in English.


    (Engraving by William Hogarth. In the Public Domain)

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