Using Library Resources for Research Projects: A Guide for Students

 

Using Library Resources for Research Projects: A Guide for Students


very university has a library, generally packed with valuable resources and information. For any kind of academic research, a student's best source of information is the library. It's even better than the internet. That’s why every student needs to learn how to use the university library effectively, which will enhance the quality of work. In this guide, I will share some strategies for effectively using your university library with some basic tactics and the tools offered by Researchmate.net.

 

Identify What You Need to Find:

Before starting to look for things in the library, first make a solid plan. Otherwise, you will find yourself lost in the vast ocean of resources. Be specific about what are the things you need to look for. Make a list of key terms related to your topic. Look for specific types of sources (books, articles, journals, research papers etc.) which will be helpful for your research.

 

Browse the Library's Online Collection:

Every library has an online collection of e-books, journals and other resources to offer. Find the related resources by searching with the key terms you noted at the beginning of the online catalogue. You can check the published date subject name and all the other necessary information in there. Collect all the related materials you need from the online collection.

 

Dive into Academic Databases:

Libraries also purchase subscriptions to many academic databases. These databases give you access to peer-reviewed scholarly articles, journals and other materials. Libraries also give direction to their students on how they can use the resources effectively. With some press of keys, you will find a ton of materials in those databases.


Ask a Librarian for Research Assistance:

Librarians are best known for helping scholars find resources, and yet this is just one of several steps in the research process. They are qualified to assist you with many things like-

       Research Planning

       Finding Resources

       Evaluating and Citing Sources

       Developing a Publishing Strategy

       Promoting Published Works

       Measuring Your Impact

       Showing Your Impact

 

 

Get What You Need by Interlibrary Loan:

According to Wikipedia, Interlibrary loan is a service that enables patrons of one library to borrow physical materials and receive electronic documents that are held by another library. In simple terms, if you need material which isn’t available in your library, then you can request an interlibrary loan service. Then the library with borrow the material from any other library for you.

 

Utilize the Library Tools:

Use the software and other tools provided by the library for your research work. Make the citations properly for your references. Also, use the plagiarism checking tools to avoid any plagiarism. You can also use the tool provided in Researchmate.net to manage your research work.

 

Take Advantage of the Library Equipment:

The library has a proper environment for acquiring knowledge. Take advantage of the private or group study rooms for the research. Make use of computers and high speed internet. Also, utilize the printing and scanning services offered by the library.

 

Lastly, Using the library resources you can increase your research skills and enhance the quality of your research project significantly. So you must make the best use of it. You can look into Researchmate.net for further development of your research skills. It offers many research management tools and peer finding opportunities for you.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Analytics Revolution: How Data is Shaping the Future of Research

Understanding the Peer Review Process: A Researcher’s Essential Guide