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

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
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Reference material
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Using electronic resources to search for material
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Using the Library Catalogue and the eLibrary to access material

Further sources of guidance, particularly resource evaluation and study
skills

Managing your references
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Information about IT skills courses
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RefWorks demo
Using reference material to get you
started…
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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
…Using reference material to get you
started
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Pick up or download a copy of a suitable subject guide from:
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/subjectguides.s
html
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
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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.
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
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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/interli
braryloans.shtml
Accessing Material
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Using other libraries:
– SCONUL Access scheme
– SCONUL Vacation scheme
– British Library
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/using/offcampus/
Accessing online material
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Library Catalogue doesn’t allow you to search for contents of
periodical articles
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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.sht
ml
Accessing online material
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See the ‘Effective searching of electronic resources’ guide to
help you improve your search techniques:
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/sk10effective
searching.doc
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Keep records of your searches: where/ how did you search?
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Most databases now include an online help section. We also
have user guides for some resources:
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/databaseguide
s.shtml
Evaluating Web resources…
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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
Study Skills
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Books on study skills, how to write a thesis, and
managing a research project can be found in the
library.
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The ‘Guide to Effective Learning’ helps you to
develop your study skills:
http://www.gel.bham.ac.uk/
Other IT Skills Training
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Self Paced IT Skills training is available via
WebCT, you just need to enrol:
http://www.weblearn.bham.ac.uk/selfenrol/
Managing your references…
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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
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/guide
s/sk04harvard.pdf
Presenting your assignment/ dissertation
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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/
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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.
Presenting your assignment/ dissertation
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Guide to presenting your dissertation online at
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/guides/sk05presentingt
hesis.pdf
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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/sk07t
racingtheses.pdf
Further help
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For further help with finding information in
your subject area, please contact your
Academic Support Team:
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/searching/subje
ctsupport/
Summary- top tips
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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/