Free Research Tools On The Web

The libraries own resources should, of course be the starting point for your research. However, there are some free research tools out there on the web which may help you to uncover some useful material. Here are some of the main ones for the social sciences.

Social Care Online is a free database maintained by the UK Government backed Social Care Institute for Excellence. It covers all aspects of social work, social care and social welfare and provides links to many full text reviews, briefings, legislation and policy documents.

The Campbell Library free systematic reviews on education, crime, justice and social welfare.

The Cochrane Library free research on all aspects of health and healthcare. 

Trip Database online search tool designed for health professionals with an emphasis on evidence-based medicine.

COPAC free access to the merged online catalogues of many major, specialist and national libraries in the UK and Ireland. COPAC doesn't give you the full text of books but will help you to identify useful titles which you can order using our document supply service.

Google Scholar - specialist search engine from Google which searches for only academic research on the web. Google Scholar doesn't have all the features to help you to refine your search like DISCOVER does - so you will probably find yourself having to trawl through many pages of results...and not everything will be available in full text.

free access to the merged online catalogues of many major University, specialist and national libraries in the UK and Ireland, including the British Library. - See more at: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/applied-soc-studies/core-ab-indexes#sthash.29LWjuqi.dpuf

free access to the merged online catalogues of many major University, specialist and national libraries in the UK and Ireland, including the British Library. - See more at: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/applied-soc-studies/core-ab-indexes#sthash.29LWjuqi.dpuf

free access to the merged online catalogues of many major University, specialist and national libraries in the UK and Ireland, including the British Library. - See more at: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/applied-soc-studies/core-ab-indexes#sthash.29LWjuqi.dpuf

free access to the merged online catalogues of many major University, specialist and national libraries in the UK and Ireland, including the British Library. - See more at: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/applied-soc-studies/core-ab-indexes#sthash.29LWjuqi.dpuf

 

The Difference Between Academic & Non-Academic Materials

It's vital to understand the difference between those materials which are "academic" and those which are not. So here's a reminder for everyone.

Academic materials are written by academic researchers, usually attached to universities. These people are considered to be experts in what they are writing about and their views and opinions have authority. Using them in your assignments will give authority to your work and will help you to get better grades.

The most authoritative materials of all are those which have been peer-reviewed. This means that the material is first scutinised by a panel of academic researchers who will assess it for quality. Only if they consider it of a suitable standard will they allow it to be published.

The most usual sources of academic material are:

• Journals
• Books
• Conference proceedings
• Research reports
• Postgraduate dissertations & theses

All of the above can be found by using DISCOVER. Be sure to tick the box for "peer-reviewed" if you want to find only peer-reviewed materials.

Non-academic materials are not written by academic researchers and the authors may not be experts in what they are writing about. The work is unlikely to be researched in depth and does not have the same authority as the academic sources. Relying only on non-academic sources for assignments means that your work does not have authority and you are unlikely to get a very good grade.

Some of the most examples of non-academic materials include:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• DVDs
• TV & radio programmes
• Websites
• Youtube videos

Some Useful books For Social Science Dissertations & Honours Projects

The End Of E-books On Demand

All the money set aside for the "Ebooks on Demand" project has now been spent. We'll be reviewing what was bought and rented by students since Christmas over the coming months.

What I can already tell you is that more than 1,000 new ebooks were purchased - which is great and very encouraging and consequently the project may well return later in the academic year.

Further Increase To Numbers Of Loans

The maximum number of loans that you may borrow at any one time has now increased from 15 to 20 books.

No Limits On Document Supply!

Photograph by nSeika

From Monday 25th February 2013 onwards there will no longer be any restrictions on the number of document supply requests that Level 3 undergraduate students, postgraduate researchers and staff can make for FREE! 

The Document Supply Team will monitor requests to ensure that the service is being used appropriately.

Stuidents at Level 1 and Level 2 who are unable to find the materials that they need for assignments by using University of Bedfordshire Libraries own resources are advised (as before) to consult their Academic Liaison Librarian. You can contact me at: sally.fensome@beds.ac.uk

More Support Via Facebook

I've just created a new Facebook page where I'll be posting further online support, advice and news - and of course you're welcome to comment and give me any feedback too!

You can see my Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Appsocscibeds/351429088298158

Just a Minute - Library videos: Ebooks on demand

This is a brief, one minute video all about the new ebooks on demand service.

Increase In Numbers Of Loans!!!

The number of books you can borrow from the University Libraries has now increased from 12 to 15.

RefWorks Workshops

Just to remind everyone...

I am holding 2 'drop-in' workshops for RefWorks, the University's referencing software this term. The workshops will cover creating an account, importing references from DISCOVER, the Library Catalogue and the web and creating a bibliography. Also a chance to deal with any RefWorks related questions you may have.

There's no need to book just turn up if you're interested. Dates and times are:

• Tuesday, 27th November. 1.00 - 2.00 in Polhill Library IT Training Suite 2
• Tuesday 4th December. 1.00 - 2.00 in Polhill Library IT Training Suite 2

Saturday Extended Opening Hours

Bedford, Polhill Campus Library will be open until 22.00 hrs on the following Saturdays:

• 24th November
• Ist December
• 8th December
• 5th January
• 12th January
• 19th January
• 26th January

Library staff will leave at 15.45 and security staff will keep the building open until 22.00.

Dissertation Tips!

I've also set up a Pinterest board with links to videos on different aspects of researching and writing dissertations which you can view here.

And another one on general study skills: Study skills

There's also a board on: Using the Library - which covers all the general things such as reservations, webprint, using the document supply service etc.

And another one on: Referencing.

More Support On Pinterest

I've set up a page on Pinterest where I'm putting links to useful books on study skills, dissertations, and referencing, as well as videos and anything else useful I find. You can check it out under the tab "Information Literacy" on this blog at: http://pinterest.com/sfensome/

Some Useful Books On Report Writing

A number of people have been asking me about report writing - so here are some books that you might find useful:

• Aveyard, H., Sharp, P. and Wooliams, M. (2011) A beginner's guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. Maidenhead: OUP. [Ebook] A straightforward guide showing you how to demonstrate critical thinking and critical appraisal in health and social care.
• Healy, K. and Mulholland, J. (2007) Writing skills for social workers. London: Sage. [Ebook] Covers a whole range of writing skills in the filed of social work. Chapter 5 deals with effective report writing.
• Murray, N. and Hughes, G. (2008) Writing up your university assignments and research projects: a practical handbook. Maidenhead: OUP. A clear handbook on assignment and report writing at university.

E-books On Dawsonera

Here's another one minute video this time on using Dawsonera e-books - the University's main supplier of e-books.

Library E-Resources Sessions For New Students

If you're a new Applied Social Studies student beginning your course in 2012, then you have an upcoming session on using the library's e-resources to look forward to!

Criminology &Sociology BA - Wednesday 26th September 2012. Room P2.35, 11.00 - 11.50. E-books & DISCOVER.

Social Work BSc

• Tuesday 2nd October, Library IT Training Room 2, 11.00 - 12.00. E-books.
• Tuesday 9th October, Library IT Training Room 2, 11.00 - 12.00. Using journals & finding journal articles.
• Tuesday 16th October, Library IT Training Room 2, 11.00 - 12.00. Using DISCOVER and the Internet for academic study.
• Tuesday 23rd October, Library IT Training Suite 2, 11.00 -12.00. Using Microsoft Word (with Linda Martin).
• Monday 29th October - Friday 2nd November. READING WEEK.
• Tuesday 6th November, Library IT Training Suite 2, 11.00 -12.00. Using Microsoft Powerpoint (with Linda Martin).
• Tuesday 13th November, Library IT Training Suite 2, 11.00 -12.00. Using RefWorks.

'Drop-in' Workshops For Semester 1

My new programme  of 'Drop-in' workshops for Semester 1 is now available here: Workshops at Polhill. There's no need to book; just 'drop-in' if you're interested. Any questions, please contact me at: sally.fensome@beds.ac.uk

Life Made Easier With DISCOVER!

DISCOVER is the University's new single search software. It allows you to search most of the University's electronic resources + the Library Catalogue all at the same time. This means no more searching individual databases to find journal articles - or the frustration of searching Google Scholar only to find that the perfect article you've isn't available in full text.

DISCOVER is made by Ebscohost so the interface will be familar to anyone who's ever used Ebsco. Results from any electronic source can be saved to your personal Ebscohost folder and all your saved preferences are available using DISCOVER.

For help with using DISCOVER please contact me, your Academic Liaison Librarian or come along to one of my workshops. Dates & times for Semester 1 will be published shortly on this blog.

Dissertation Drop-ins In September

I shall be holding the following Dissertation Workshops in September. All workshops will take place at the Bedford, Polhill Campus Library. There's no need to book, just 'drop in' for a while if you'd like some help / have any questions re: researching your dissertation.

• Monday, 3rd September 10.30 - 12.00, Library IT Training Suite 2. RefWorks: An introduction to RefWorks for new users & a refresher for those who already have accounts.
• Tuesday, 18th September 10.30 - 12.00, Library IT Training Suite 1. Doing A Literature Review. How to research & review the literature on your chosen topic, using a clear methodology, selecting your inclusion/exclusion criteria, critical analysis etc.
• Tuesday, 25th September 10.30 - 12.00, Library IT Training Suite 1. Finding Research Material. How to find academic research material, choosing keywords, searching tips. A general help session on any dissertation related queries you may have.

Some useful books on Critical Analysis

Photograph by H is for Home

Ok, I'm going to recommend some useful books on critical analysis. All of the following are available from the library:

• Aveyard, H., Sharp, P. and Wooliams, M. (2011) A beginner's guide to critical thinking and writing in health and social care. Maidenhead: OUP. [Ebook] Like most of Aveyard's books this is very clear and gives a strightforward guide to becomming a critical thinker.
• Bell, J. (2010) Doing your research project: a guide for first time researchers in education, health and social science. 5th edn. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill / OUP. [Ebook] This classic text has a useful chapter on doing a critical literature review.
• Brown, K. and Rutter, L. (2008) Critical thinking for social work. 2nd edn. Exeter: Learning Matters. [Ebook] Contains a good chapter on writing reflective academic assignments.
• Cottrell, S. (2011) Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument. 2nd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Good, clear overview on how to develop your critical thinking skills, what to look for and interpret in materials.