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.
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