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Getting started on your extended assignment or dissertation

Getting started on your extended assignment or dissertation. Library Services 2010 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License. Outline of session. Reference material Using electronic resources to search for material

cameron-kennedy
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Getting started on your extended assignment or dissertation

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  1. Getting started on your extended assignment or dissertation Library Services 2010 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

  2. Outline of session • Reference material • Using electronic resources to search for material • Using the Library Catalogue and the eLibrary to access material • Further sources of guidance, particularly resource evaluation and study skills • Managing your references • Information about IT skills courses • RefWorks demo

  3. Using reference material to get you started… • Both printed and online reference resources are available in all subject areas, e.g. dictionaries and encyclopaedias. • Online Reference material can be found on the eLibrary www.elibrary.bham.ac.uk • This may help you to: • define your subject area • suggest further reading • introduces you to keywords for your searching

  4. …Using reference material to get you started • Pick up or download a copy of a suitable subject guide from: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/subjectguides.shtml The Main Library Audio Tour will also help you to locate and use reference materials in your subject area: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/infoskills/mainlibrary_audiotours.shtml • As well as being valuable guides to the whole ‘literature search’ process, these should also introduce you to some key reference resources in your area.

  5. Accessing Material • Check the Library Catalogue http://libcat.bham.ac.uk/TalisPrism • Check the Find eJournal section of the eLibrary www.elibrary.bham.ac.uk • Search by TITLE of the PERIODICAL an article appears in • If we don’t have the full-text, you might want to investigate applying for an inter-library loan: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/using/borrowing/interlibraryloans.shtml

  6. Accessing Material • Using other libraries: • SCONUL Access scheme • SCONUL Vacation scheme • British Library http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/using/offcampus/

  7. Accessing online material • Library Catalogue doesn’t allow you to search for contents of periodical articles • Start with the eLibrary www.eLibrary.bham.ac.uk • Login with your University username and password. • Select Subject Search then your area from the drop down category list. • Select a resource. • For advice on resources in your area refer to the subject guides: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/subjectguides.shtml

  8. Accessing online material • See the ‘Effective searching of electronic resources’ guide to help you improve your search techniques: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/sk10effectivesearching.doc • Keep records of your searches: where/ how did you search? • Most databases now include an online help section. We also have user guides for some resources: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/databaseguides.shtml

  9. Evaluating Web resources… • The eLibrary contains tools that are evaluated and suitable for academic use. • When searching the Web more widely you need to carefully evaluate what you find. • A short guide for evaluating resources in your subject area can be found at: www.vts.intute.ac.uk • Be critical- consider the author, publisher, intended audience, sources, currency and accuracy. • If possible, specify the type of info you require- images, websites, news. • Maybe try a subject gateway first: see www.intute.ac.uk

  10. Study Skills • Books on study skills, how to write a thesis, and managing a research project can be found in the library. • The ‘Guide to Effective Learning’ helps you to develop your study skills: http://www.gel.bham.ac.uk/

  11. Other IT Skills Training • Self Paced IT Skills training is available via WebCT, you just need to enrol: http://www.weblearn.bham.ac.uk/selfenrol/

  12. Managing your references… • Keep a record of your references from the start of and throughout your research - this will save you time when you are writing up. • Some basic rules: • Always write down the details of the article (volume, issue, pages, year) • When using the Web keep bookmarks • Email references from online resources to yourself • You can manage your references in a number of ways, including: • Card files • Reference Management software

  13. How to reference • When referencing print or electronic resources you will need to follow certain guidelines: • Use the i-cite guide to citing references at: • www.i-cite.bham.ac.uk • Pick up or download a copy of the ‘Preparing & quoting references’ guide from: • http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/sk04harvard.pdf

  14. Presenting your assignment/ dissertation • If you want to consult a University of Birmingham PhD thesis, search the Library Catalogue selecting ‘Theses catalogue’ from the collection list. • You also find some research theses at: http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/ • To see an example of an undergraduate dissertation you will need to speak to the staff in your department to see if they have copies available.

  15. Presenting your assignment/ dissertation • Guide to presenting your dissertation online at http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/sk05presentingthesis.pdf • EThOS website allows you to view past theses at http://ethos.bl.uk • Guide to tracing theses also helps you to see past theses at http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/sk07tracingtheses.pdf

  16. Further help • For further help with finding information in your subject area, please contact your Academic Support Team: http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/subjectsupport/

  17. Summary- top tips • Use reference material to get you started. • Managing and cite your references correctly. • Use suitable electronic resources (www.elibrary.bham.ac.uk) to search for periodical articles. • Check the Library Catalogue (http://libcat.bham.ac.uk/TalisPrism) to see if books or periodicals are available - search by periodical TITLE. • Use the Virtual Training Suite (www.vts.intute.ac.uk) to enhance your Web searching skills, but don’t just rely on websites for your research. • Brush up on your study skills - use the GEL website http://www.gel.bham.ac.uk/ • Contact your Subject Advisor for help http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/subjectsupport/

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