2015 Pre-sessional ProgrammeIndependent Learning

Week 3: Researching Skills

Discussion

What types of resources are available to us at the University of Southampton?

University of Southampton Research Tools

DelphiS– General search engine for most resources

WebCat– The university’s library online catalog– Can be used to renew library loans

University of Southampton Subject Guides

http://library.soton.ac.uk/home/subjects

Specialised resources for each subject area

May contain resources that you cannot find on Google or DelphiS

Non-University of Southampton Research Tools

scholar.google.co.uk

Other journal catalogues such as:– JSTOR– Science Direct– Web of Knowledge– PubMed Central

Tips for Effective Researching

Using multiple keywords

Focusing on keywords supplied by authors

Finding exact phrases “”

Eliminating keywords –

Adding keywords +

Limiting publication dates

Searching for file types: .doc, .ppt, .pdf

Homework

Complete the Needs Analysis/Action Plan, available on e-Folio and bring it along to your advising session

Any Questions?

Extra Support

• Extra one-to-one support sessions are available. Sign up outside the LRC

• Support groups are running on a number of useful topics. Sign up with me!

• Conversation cafes are taking place in the café courtyard at lunchtimes. Just go along!