DWLresearch

On Wednesday we held our final thesis forum of the 2013/14 academic year. The focus was on the Probation Review and we welcomed three speakers to share their experiences: Eric Akobeng (Economics), Graham Aldred (Archaeology & Ancient History) and Suzi Shimwell (English) Leicester students can access a video recording of the whole forum via the Research Essentials Online module on Blackboard. Please go to Blackboard and select Research Essentials Online (APUX005)  then THESIS FORUM and select 28 May 2014. STEM students might be interested in our Probation Review session from 19 March 2013 which featured Pete Hague (Theoretical Astrophysics) and John Coxon (Physics & Astronomy). If you have any difficulties accessing these recordings please get in touch . You can also find recordings of earlier Thesis Forum sessions on Research Essentials Online or via the Graduate School page The Thesis Forum will return next academic year!

A quick guide on how to find University of Leicester etheses and print theses. We have over 1800 theses available electronically via the Leicester Research Archive : Browsing eTheses by College and Department: Click on the College and Department of interest and then click on Theses:   You can then search the theses within that Department, or click on browse (by Title, Author or Issue Date):   In this example we choose browse by title:  Click on the title of the thesis you wish to view:   You will then see details about the thesis, and be given the option to open the full text PDF of the thesis.  If 'embargo until: [DATE]' is displayed, the PDF will not be available for download until after this date. You will still be able to view the thesis in the library. As you can see above you can also see statistics on how many people have viewed and downloaded the thesis. Searching for eThese s in the Leicester Researc...

There are many PhD students and researchers within the University who are undertaking research in the form of a systematic review, particularly within medicine, health and psychology. We wanted to highlight the stages of a systematic review where the Library Research Services Team can provide help and support.  We can advise on any of the stages in red and with reference management. What is a systematic review? A systematic review is a type of literature review that attempts to find all published and unpublished material on a specific research question. The studies found are then appraised against specific eligibility criteria. Data is extracted and synthesized from the eligible studies to produce a summary of evidence from the relevant research. Scoping Search To identify existing systematic reviews in the research area. To check the scope of the research available and help inform the research question. To help find appropriate databases, keywords and subject terms ...

In March we attended several of the Research Festival: Focus on Funders events. Here's the tips we picked up on writing funding applications for research councils and other funding bodies. Keep up to date with the latest funding opportunities via mailing lists, twitter, RSS feeds, the Research Professional Database, and checking the funders' website regularly. Make sure you read all the funding information carefully and understand the application process thoroughly, so you can target your application correctly. Start working on the application as early as possible. Use the buzz words that appear in the call for funding and in the instructions for reviewers. Ensure your proposal is innovative, interesting, based on sound principles and fits the priorities of the funding body. Follow the application instructions completely - even if you think they are asking you to repeat information there will be a reason for it! Understand who you are writing the application for - us...

A member of the Library Research Services team will be back in the Graduate School Reading Room from Wednesday 7th May. Drop in on weekday afternoons, 2-4pm, to get advice on every stage of the research process. We can help you with finding literature, building your network, organising your references, keeping up-to-date with your field, using Web 2.0 tools, developing a digital profile, data management, collaborating with other researchers, disseminating your research, and understanding copyright and open access. If you would like to make a separate appointment please contact a Research Information Advisor directly or use the 'Book a Librarian' button on the Library subject pages. Selina Lock supports researchers from the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences & Psychology and the College of Science and Engineering. Helen Steele supports researchers from the College of Arts, Humanities & Law and the College of Social Science. Our workshops for May to July...