DSS Academic Skills Training Programme Research Skills – What resource, where and why?

Research Research involves: – Clarity around what it is you are trying to research – Broad spectrum online literature search and research – Visiting physical or online libraries – Reading – Evaluating resources – Quotations and references

Initial Research 1.Go back to: Your research or essay title 2. What key words? These are the words used for a literature search 3. Do an online literature search, including reviewing UCC’s resources, before you physically enter the library. Do not wander, undirected, up and down the shelves looking for resources

Broad spectrum online research 1 st steps – Wikipedia: just to find your feet, never reference this! – Online dictionaries, encyclopaedias and reference sources 2 nd steps – Google scholar – Academic or peer reviewed websites and journals – Relevant depositories of associated sources i.e. Irish State websites, National Library, Harvard Business School

Visiting the Library: The Boole (and other) UCC libraries Key features: – Online catalogue of print materials including books, journals, newspapers, – Access to: UCC subscribed journals & databases Past exam papers in print and online – Your library account – Printing and photocopying – Place to focus your mind

Using the Library

Important UCC Steps Open a library account – Your name – Your student number – A password you create (and remember!) yourself Benefits? – Off campus access to databases and journals – Can renew books remotely and avoid fines – Can request books be returned – ‘place a hold’

Reading Using your chosen key words - scan read, read conclusion first, check table of contents and index If an electronic resource, add your own notes using Onenote, Stickies or ‘Insert comment’ in Word. If a PDF, use CTRL and F – text FIND box If in print, use coloured pens, drawings and sketches, post it notes (if you trust them to stick), handwritten notes or Mindmaps.

Evaluating Resources Online Literature searches can be done in UCC’s online catalogue, using Google Scholar, other reputable or recommended websites Look out for websites ending in.edu or acu.co.uk – these are academic websites.

Evaluating Resources Print Consult your recommended reading lists supplied by your Department. These usually stored in UCC DESK RESERVE Check publication dates – these should be relatively recent unless you’re specifically looking for contemporary documents Check publisher and author – is it an established academic publisher? How well published and experienced is the author?

What resources can I use? Use a wide range of resources to support your essay, for example: – Peer reviewed journal articles – Databases – Recommended reading – Supporting additional material – material from depositories, Youtube and television documentaries and contemporary documentation (i.e. newspapers, legal and historical documents).

Documenting my Research Such broad spectrum research turns up a whole load of other problems… How to reference this correctly? That’s another can of worms…What referencing system does your department use?

Booleweb - Library Homepage

UCC Catalogue Accessible on and off campus whether logged into account or not but certain sections of website need log in – Databases and subscribed journal access – Saving searches Searching for materials by: – Keyword – Title – Author – Subject – Call number – Many more Use Boolean search terms – And – Not

Journals

Databases

Subject Guides and Portals

Subject Guides and Portals Cont.

Subject Librarians

Other Important Points Desk Reserve Booking Study Rooms Fines Food, drink, noise and phone calls Wireless Study and research help

Questions?