DSS Academic Skills Training Programme Research Skills – What resource, where and why?
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DSS Academic Skills Training Programme Research Skills – What resource, where and why?
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Transcript of DSS Academic Skills Training Programme Research Skills – What resource, where and why?
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
• 1st steps– Wikipedia: just to find your feet,
never reference this!– Online dictionaries, encyclopaedias
and reference sources• 2nd 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
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?
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
Other Important Points
• Desk Reservehttp://booleweb.ucc.ie/index.php?pageID=73
• Booking Study Rooms• Fines • Food, drink, noise and phone calls• Wireless• Study and research help
http://booleweb.ucc.ie/index.php?pageID=48
