Monday 3 November 2014

Topic summaries

I've blogged before about Credo and the useful mindmaps (they call them Concept Maps) it can generate on subjects like 'Jean Piaget' or 'social exclusion'. (More information here: http://help.credoweb.credoreference.com/search/concept-map.html)

When we were deciding whether or not to renew this resource, the Head of Academic Liaison evangelised about the Topic Pages Credo includes. Full disclosure: I thought that's something I should look at...and then it dropped out of my head. Sound familiar? But, I've just unearthed the notes and - fortified with a nice cuppa - I have finally got round to investigating. They're pretty good for a general overview of a subject. Or, as Credo put it:

Topic Pages are Credo Reference’s approach to organizing and presenting information resources.  They are a dynamic “one stop shop” where you can find much of what your library has on any one topic.  Topic Pages aggregate information from Credo Reference, your other library databases and the open web, all on one screen.

So, it overlaps with what DISCOVER offers but doesn't replace it. DISCOVER would be the main search tool I use for researching assignments but Credo would be a great place to get 'warmed up'. Still love the concept maps though. Really helps see how ideas/people/events connect and evolve.

You can find out more about them here: http://help.credoweb.credoreference.com/content/topic-pages-tour.html or from this YouTube intro.



Link to Credo: http://library.beds.ac.uk/record=b1160670~S20