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 from the University of Sheffield Virtual Graduate School.

 

Christmas Vacation 2014

If you’re away from Sheffield for the Christmas Vacation remember that the Library can offer support to students in various ways:

• The Information Skills Resource features valuable tutorials on literature searching, referencing, plagiarism and more

• If you need to contact the Library email the HelpDesk: library@sheffield.ac.uk (Please note that the HelpDesk will not be staffed during Christmas closure days: Thursday 25 December to Thursday 1 January inclusive)

• If you’re having trouble accessing electronic resources check the eResources Service Status page

Merry Christmas, see you in January!  

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.

Loan Periods: Christmas Vacation 2014

Please note: vacation loans do not apply to External borrowers.
Items will be issued/automatically renewed for the Christmas vacation as follows:

• Non-requested items will now be loaned out/ renewed until Monday 19 January.
• Requested items that are issued from Monday 15 December will be due for return on Monday 19 January.

If an item is not requested we will continue to automatically renew it beyond 19 January but any that are requested during vacation will need to be returned on that date.

Before you go home please check your myLibrary Account in StarPlus to make sure that your items have been renewed over the vacation (don’t forget you can also renew the items yourself) and return any that need to be brought back sooner.

On 15th December we will be cancelling any unwanted requests. Please email library@sheffield.ac.uk by 12th December to let us know about any requests you would like to keep on your account.

Referencing

Correct referencing is not only an essential component of academic writing, but will also help you to avoid plagiarism. Learn how to reference correctly in the style used by your department. Use our referencing tutorials available from the Information Skills Resource.

Searching for Researching workshop

Searching for researching your first independent project: hands-on workshop

Do you need to find literature for your first independent research project? Not sure where to start? Tried searching but retrieving too many or too few results? Then come along to a hands-on Searching for Researching workshop at 301: Student Skills and Development Centre.

Run by the University Library, this workshop will show you how to find the best resources for your first research project. You will learn about different information sources and how to create an effective search strategy to produce a manageable set of relevant results. You will also consider evaluating information, referencing and plagiarism - making sure you use your own ideas and reference the work of others properly.

There are 3 places are still available on the workshop TOMORROW. Book your place: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/services/workshops/searching