Environment Digimap

The Library has subscribed to a free trial of Environment Digimap that runs until July 2014. This new Digimap collection offers land cover map data from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Access and information on the resource can be found here:

 http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/cdfiles/digimap

You will need to register for Environment Digimap on the Digimap website even if you have already registered for the other collections.

Literature Review Help

Creating your first literature review can be a complex process requiring a number of skills. It involves identifying, evaluating and synthesising previous research in your field of study. Structured around research ideas, its purpose is to set the research scene by highlighting the main arguments and identifying gaps or shortcomings which need to be addressed with further research.

For help with writing your literature review take a look at the Library’s online tutorial: Producing a literature review. This tutorial will guide you through the process of writing a literature review in 7 steps. It also suggests sources of further advice about specific skills and provides recommended reading. You can also try the Literature review ice breaker quiz to find out what you already know about the content, purpose, and process of writing a literature review.

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.

Referencing

Reference correctly in the style used by your department. Use our referencing tutorials available from the Information Skills Resource.

Other useful links can be found here: http://www.shef.ac.uk/library/useful/refs

Online training for Web of Science

Web of Knowledge has changed.  Thompson Reuters have upgraded the database to provide a more intuitive, streamlined search experience.  They have also changed the name from Web of Knowledge to Web of Science.

Read more about the changes

For an introduction to the new Web of Science interface, have a look at their YouTube training channel, where you'll find videos demonstrating how to get the most out of the new features.

Thompson Reuters also offer a range of live webinars and online training via their support pages

Scopus now indexed in Primo Central

Records from Scopus are now included in your Primo Central searches via StarPlus. Primo Central is the default search in the ‘Articles and Databases’ tab in StarPlus.

Scopus is an abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature which offers a comprehensive overview of international research output in the fields of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities.

British Library - Doctoral Open Days for PhD students

The British Library is a hub for research, with vast and varied collections, expert staff and a wide range of events. The British Library's Doctoral Open Days are a chance for new PhD students to discover the Library’s unique research materials. Students will learn about the Library's collections, find out how to access them, and meet expert Library staff and other researchers in their field. These events are aimed at PhD students who are new to the Library. The following events are now open to book:

13 January – Environmental Science

17 January - Digital Research

20 January - History 1

31 January - History 2

3 February - English 1

14 February - English 2

24 February – Media, Cultural Studies and Journalism

All events take place in the British Library Conference Centre, London and cost £5. Lunch and refreshments are provided. We recommend that to make the most of the day attendees get a free Reader Pass before the event. A small number of £20 travel bursaries are available for each event to students coming from outside Greater London.

Click here for further information and booking