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

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

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  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  Pick up or download a copy of a suitable subject guide from: html The Main Library Audio Tour will also help you to locate and use reference materials in your subject area: _audiotours.shtml _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.

Accessing Material –Check the Library Catalogue –Check the Find eJournal section of the eLibrary –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: braryloans.shtml

Accessing Material  Using other libraries: –SCONUL Access scheme –SCONUL Vacation scheme –British Library

Accessing online material  Library Catalogue doesn’t allow you to search for contents of periodical articles  Start with the eLibrary –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: tml

Accessing online material  See the ‘Effective searching of electronic resources’ guide to help you improve your search techniques: searching.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: es.shtml

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: –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

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:

Other IT Skills Training  Self Paced IT Skills training is available via WebCT, you just need to enrol:

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 – 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: Pick up or download a copy of the ‘Preparing & quoting references’ guide from: s/sk04harvard.pdf

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:  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  Guide to presenting your dissertation online at hesis.pdf hesis.pdf  EThOS website allows you to view past theses at  Guide to tracing theses also helps you to see past theses at racingtheses.pdf racingtheses.pdf

Further help  For further help with finding information in your subject area, please contact your Academic Support Team: ectsupport/

Summary- top tips  Use reference material to get you started.  Managing and cite your references correctly.  Use suitable electronic resources ( to search for periodical articles.  Check the Library Catalogue ( to see if books or periodicals are available - search by periodical TITLE.  Use the Virtual Training Suite ( 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  Contact your Subject Advisor for help