What's in the news?

Information Skills Workshop at The Diamond – Wednesday 9^th December, 10am – 11am

Newspapers cover a wide range of issues, such as political and social affairs, the arts, company and financial information. In this workshop you will have the opportunity to explore a range of news and newspaper databases to research current issues and historical events.

Book your place on this workshop (and other information skills workshops) here

Sage Research Methods

Sage Research Methods is an online search tool for finding information about research methodologies. It may be particularly helpful if you are in the process of designing, conducting or writing up a research project. For example, you could use it to answer questions about your chosen research method. The resource is relevant to a range of disciplines including the social sciences and health sciences.

Use the Search box (located in the top left of the page) to locate relevant information or use the Advanced Search option to construct precise search queries. Search results will include: books, dictionary and encyclopaedia entries, videos and journal articles. You can link to the full text from the search results.  

There are also options for browsing the database as well as a Methods Map (located under the Methodologies drop-down menu), which is a visual search tool.  

Sage Research Methods is available via the University Collections tab in StarPlus. Alternatively, follow this link and click Connect to Sage Research Methods – you’ll be prompted to login to MUSE as necessary.

Information literacy - getting started

Find out how information literacy can help you with writing assignments and conducting research. The Library’s information literacy webpages are split into useful sections to support you at different stages: Getting started, Writing assignments, Research skills, and Employability.

The Getting Started page has links to some of our tutorials on effective note taking, understanding your reading lists and using StarPlus, the Library catalogue.

Searching for your research project

Need to search for literature for a research project?

Start with a search for books on the StarPlus University Collections tab.

Then move onto searching for journal articles. The Articles and More tab in StarPlus defaults to search Primo Central- a general, multidisciplinary database. This will give you quick, quality results. Make sure you have signed into StarPlus by clicking University members at the top of the page.

For a more specific search, use databases. Find the databases useful to you on your Subject Guide: http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/subjects/subjects. Subject Guides also give links to other relevant information sources.

Search tips: Make sure you think about your keywords and any alternative words or spellings that could be used. Learn more about constructing your search here: https://librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/shef-only/info_skills/successful_db.html

Use the Find It buttons in databases to check access (Print and electronic) to articles of interest.

Researching for your dissertation over the summer?

Searching for Researching workshop – 301: Student Skills and Development Centre, Glossop Road

Thursday 12^th June 12 – 1

Come and find out about: the information sources available to you; how to search to get the most relevant results for your project; evaluating information; plagiarism; and referencing. Follow the link above to book a place.

Searching for your research project

Need to search for literature for a research project?

Start with a search for books on the StarPlus University Collections tab.

Then move onto searching for journal articles. The Articles and Databases tab in StarPlus defaults to search Primo Central- a general, multidisciplinary database. This will give you quick, quality results. Make sure you have signed into StarPlus by clicking ‘University members’ at the top of the page.

For a more specific search, use databases. Find the databases useful to you on your Subject Guide: http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/subjects/subjects. Subject Guides also give links to other relevant information sources.

Search tips: Make sure you think about your keywords and any alternative words or spellings that could be used. Learn more about constructing your search here: https://librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/shef-only/info_skills/successful_db.html

Use the ‘Find it’ buttons in databases to check access (Print and electronic) to articles of interest.

Box Of Broadcasts Update

Box of Broadcasts is an off-air media and recording service. It allows you to record TV and radio programmes scheduled to be broadcast over the next seven days as well as retrieving programmes from the last seven days from a selected list of recorded channels. In addition, you can watch programmes from the archive, create clips, and compile your favourite shows into playlists.

 

Login via MUSE & StarPlus. Any programmes you record, playlists and clips you create will be stored via your MyBob section. Watch the BoB video tutorials for an overview of how to use the service:
http://bobnational.net/video_tutorials

 

BoB now supports several foreign language channels:

 

ZDF: Germany's national public TV

Canale 5: Italian private TV network

Tagesschau24: German channel
Rai News: Italian state-owned news
France 24: International news from a French perspective
BFM TV: news channel based in France- most watched new in France
Arte: Joint French-German TV network

 

Information Literacy - Getting Started

Find out how information literacy can help you with writing assignments and conducting research. The Library's Information literacy web pages are split into useful sections to support you at different stages: Getting started, Writing assignments, Research skills, and Employability.

The Getting Started page has links to some of our tutorials on effective note taking, understanding your reading list and using StarPlus, the library catalogue. There is also a short video that explains what your subject librarian can do for you.

Searching for your research project

Need to search for literature for a research project?

Start with a search for books on the StarPlus University Collections tab.

Then move onto searching for journal articles. The Articles and Databases tab in StarPlus defaults to search Primo Central- a general, multidisciplinary database. This will give you quick, quality results. Make sure you have signed into StarPlus by clicking ‘University members’ at the top of the page.

For a more specific search, use databases. Find the databases useful to you on your Subject Guide: http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/subjects/subjects. Subject Guides also give links to other relevant information sources.

Search tips: Make sure you think about your keywords and any alternative words or spellings that could be used. Learn more about constructing your search here: https://librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/shef-only/info_skills/successful_db.html

Use the ‘Find it’ buttons in databases to check access (Print and electronic) to articles of interest.

301 Library sessions - Searching For Researching

Become an information literate graduate

301 Student Skills and Development Centre, 301 Glossop Road

Friday, 22 November 2013 from 12:00 to 13:00

This workshop is delivered by The University Library and explores how to find resources for your undergraduate research such as an essay or report.  You will look at the different ways to search for information and how to evaluate your results to get the highest quality information into your work.  You will also learn about plagiarism - making sure you use your own ideas and referencing the works of others properly.

Register Here

This workshop is open to all current, registered postgraduate taught and undergraduate University of Sheffield students. Please bring your Ucard with you to the workshop.

SAGE Research Methods Online

SAGE Research Methods is an online search tool for finding information about research methodologies.  It may be particularly helpful if you are in the process of designing, conducting or writing up a research project.  For example, use it to answer questions about your chosen research method.  The resource is relevant to a range of disciplines including the social sciences and health sciences.

Use the Quick Search box (located in the top left of the page) to locate relevant information or use the Advanced Search option to construct precise search queries.  Search results will include: books, book chapters, dictionary and Encyclopaedia entries, videos and journal articles.   You can link to the full-text from the search results.
 
There are also options for browsing the database as well as a Methods Map (located under the Methodologies drop-down menu), which is a visual search tool.  The Methods Map may be useful if you are not sure which research method to use.

SAGE Research Methods is available now via StarPlus. Alternatively, follow this link and click Connect to Sage Research Methods - you will be prompted to log into MUSE.

Research data for Social Scientists

We just had an email alerting us to 5 free webinars on research data and resources for social scientists, which the UK Data Service are running from 13th-17th May. Here are the details:

Webinar week at UK Data Service: Five free online sessions

Social scientists from all sectors are invited to participate in a series of webinars designed to introduce the data and resources available through the newly formed UK Data Service.

All webinars are free of charge and open to anyone in the UK and overseas. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please reserve your spot by booking at the links below.

An introduction to data available from the UK Data Service
Monday 13 May 2013 at 11.00

An overview of the types of data available, including UK government surveys, cross-national surveys, data from the UK Census and qualitative data. The webinar will include some case studies demonstrating how the data have been used in research.

Attendees are also encouraged to attend the Thursday webinar to learn how to find and access specific data collections.

Broadening access: Improving the impact of social data
Tuesday 14 May 2013 at 16.30

Panel discussion with Keith Dugmore, a private-sector data consultant and owner of Demographic Decisions, and Sharon Witherspoon, Director of the Nuffield Foundation and one of the original researchers on the British Social Attitudes Survey.

The discussion is moderated by David Martin, Deputy Director of the UK Data Service and former coordinator of the ESRC Census Programme.

Looking after and managing your research data
Wednesday 15 May 2013 at 16.00

A practical session for anyone actively creating social science research data. You will learn about practices, resources and support available to create well organised, well documented, high-quality research data through the course of your research so that your data continues to generate impact after you have analysed it yourself.

UnDISCOVERed riches: Finding and accessing data via the UK Data Service
Thursday 16 May 2013 at 15.00

A practical overview, focusing on the service's new search-and-browse portal, Discover, which allows users to search for datasets, support guides, case studies, ESRC outputs, variables and questions.

A useful follow-up to the Monday webinar introducing data available through the UK Data Service.

An introduction to 2011 census geography
Friday 17 May 2013 at 15.00

An introduction to census output geographies, outlining five key differences between 2001 and 2011 census output geographies.

The UK Data Service is a comprehensive resource funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to support researchers, teachers and policymakers who depend on high-quality social and economic data.

The UK Data Service website provides a single point of access to a wide range of secondary data previously held by the Economic and Social Data Service (ESDS), the ESRC Census Programme and the Secure Data Service. All are backed with extensive support, training and guidance to meet the needs of data users, owners and creators.

New web pages to improve your information skills

Be sure to have a look at our fantastic new web pages on information literacy.

Find out what information literacy is and what it can do for you by watching the video ‘What is Information Literacy?’

Find out how information literacy can help you with writing assignments and conducting research. The pages are split into useful sections to support you at different stages: Getting started, Writing assignments, Research skills, and Employability.

The information literacy pages are one part of our Learning and Research Services web pages which have also had a face lift to make finding information easier.

Find useful subject resources, get help with research, find your librarian, and see how they can help you.

All from Learning and Research Services on the Library home page.

Just started your PhD?

The British Library is holding a series of Doctoral Open Days, from November until February. The events are free and are aimed at first year PhD students who are new to the British Library. You will learn about the collections, find out how to access them, and meet the British Library's expert staff and other researchers in your field. To book a place use the Book Now link beside each listed session. You might also want to get a free reader pass before attending the event.

Library support for dissertations

Do you need help finding literature or data for your dissertation, or advice on the correct way to reference the sources you intend to refer to?  The library subject specialists for social sciences are happy to answer questions or offer advice, either by email, or face to face at a time that suits you.

Find your subject specialist from the list below and get in touch - we may be able to save you a lot of time!

Information School, Journalism, Lifelong Learning, Psychology, Sociological Studies:


Alastair Allan email  a.allan@sheffield.ac.uk, tel (0114) 222 7268 (external), 27268 (internal)

East Asian Studies, Politics:

Gill Goddard email g.m.goddard@sheffield.ac.uk, tel (0114) 222 7334 (external), 27334 (internal)

Architecture, Education, Geography, Landscape, Town & Regional Planning:

Denise Harrison email denise.harrison@sheffield.ac.uk, tel (0114) 222 7270 (external), 27270 (internal)

Economics,  Law,  Management:

Maria Mawson email m.b.mawson@sheffield.ac.uk, tel (0114) 222 7348 (external), 27348 (internal)

Etheses session for new PhD students

The University Library has arranged a further session for newly-registered research students on copyright clearance and the avoidance of unfair means. It’s compulsory for all research students to attend one of these sessions and further information can be found on the use of copyright material website.

This repeat session will be held on Thursday 11 March from 10-11am in the North Campus Graduate Research Centre seminar room. There’s no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day.

Searching Find It @ Sheffield

The University Library has a new platform for our eJournals. To help you search ejournals using Find it @ Sheffield we've compiled a list of ten search tips and included illustrations to demonstrate. If you have any feedback please comment or email me directly for further help.

1. If you know exactly what you're looking for you can use the 'starts with' button to be prompted with predictive text: