Training and Support
The Library Research Team is here to support you at each stage of your research career. Sign up for one of our workshops or contact us to arrange an individual appointment.
The Library Research Team delivers a range of workshops as part of the DoctoratePlus programme and aligned to Vitae's Researcher Development Framework. The Researcher Development brochure contains the dates of available sessions and instructions on how to book a place. While we are unable to deliver our workshops in person, you can find online presentations and accompanying material for each session in the Researcher Development Gateway.
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Getting started with your literature review: finding information and keeping up to date
This workshop introduces you to the elements of a literature review, how to find resources, and keep up to date with developments in your research field. Opportunities to practise your search skills are included in the workshop.
Sub-domains A1, A2 and B2 of the Vitae RDF are supported.
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Managing your references
This workshop outlines the importance of referencing and introduces you to RefWorks and Mendeley. It will help you make an informed decision on the most appropriate reference management package for your research needs as you will be able to try out the key features of both referencing systems.
Sub-domains A2, and B2 of the Vitae RDF are supported.
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Publishing your research for optimal visibility and maximum citation impact
This session provides guidance on what to consider when deciding where to publish; promoting your research outputs; improving your potential for citation; and interpreting citation metrics to demonstrate the academic impact of your publications. It also includes tips on how to identify a potential publisher for monographs, and the use of alternative metrics to capture where your research is being mentioned.
This is aimed at staff and PGR students who have published or are in the process of publishing their research.
Sub-domains B2, B3, D2 and D3 of the Vitae RDF and the NTU citation improvement strategy are supported.
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Open access and open data: ensuring compliance with funder policies and the REF
This session will make you aware of your open access obligations for publications and data around REF eligibility, funder requirements, and NTU mandates, and will provide the opportunity to develop a research data plan. It includes an introduction to the institutional repository (IRep), which provides the platform for open access at NTU.
Sub-domains C1, D2 and D3 of the Vitae RDF are supported.
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Conducting a literature search for a systematic review
A systematic review is a specific type of literature review, which uses explicit and replicable methods in order to retrieve all available literature relevant to a defined research question. This enables a rigorous and impartial assessment of study outcomes, quality and design.
This session will take you through the steps required for the literature searching component of a systematic review, including managing your search results.
Sub-domains A1, A2 and B2 of the Vitae RDF are supported.
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How to manage your research data
Research Data Management (RDM) is an ever-growing requirement from research funders and publishers committed to making research, and the data that underpins it, open and accessible. It is also integral to good research practice; and, especially in light of GDPR, there is an increased emphasis on managing your research data to the highest legal and ethical standards. This session will help you to plan, store, deposit and share research data in line with current RDM best practice.
Sub-domains A1 and C1 of the Vitae RDF are supported.
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Preparing your thesis for online publication in the institutional repository
On completion of your doctorate, your thesis will be deposited in IRep, NTU’s institutional repository. Because your thesis is then publicly available you will need to ensure that you have permission to include third party copyright materials in your version for IRep. This session explains what third party copyright is, which copyrighted materials require permission, and how to comply with the requirements. Interpreting Turnitin originality reports is also covered.
Sub-domains A1, A2 and B2 of the Vitae RDF are supported.
We can provide training on a one-to-one basis, as well as bespoke workshops and briefings developed for Schools, Divisions and Research Groups, or cohorts of postgraduate research students. Contact your Research Support Librarian to discuss any of the workshops in more detail or to make an appointment for personalised support.
New Staff Induction
All new members of academic staff are offered a one-to-one induction with their Research Support Librarian. Not only does this help you get to know us on an individual basis, you have the opportunity to learn more about the library, how we work, and how we can support you in your role. Contact us if we've not already arranged this with you.