Library Guides: Dissertations: Library research skills

Library research skills

This Library Dissertations Guide brings together a range of useful information and resources to support your dissertation, extended project, or final year project, and develop your research skills and digital capabilities.

Research skills for dissertations masterclass

These extended online workshops are delivered by The Library and 301: Academic Skills Centre. They combine a range of short sessions covering the following topics:

Planning your dissertation
Searching for and questioning information
Referencing tips and tricks
Discovering and using images and infographics

Research skills for dissertations masterclass (online webinar)
Are you working on your dissertation or final-year project? Sign up to the Library’s Research Skills for Dissertations Masterclass.

Searching for information

Searching for information
Guidance on planning and carrying out searches to find and access the most relevant sources. Strategies to find recommended and wider reading, images, figures, and archival records.

Reading and understanding information

Reading and understanding information
Strategies to keep on top of your reading by skim or speed reading large volumes of text to judge relevance, and then reading actively to understand and retain information and make clear notes. With further guidance on reading in a second language, and reading images.

Critical approaches to information

Critical approaches to information
Guidance on developing your critical thinking by questioning information and challenging any existing assumptions, and then synthesising sources into a clear perspective.

Referencing

How to reference
Referencing is an essential component of academic work. Learn how to include accurate citations in your writing and format reference lists and bibliographies correctly in the style required by your department, as well as how to avoid plagiarism.

Creating and sharing

How to develop your digital creativity
During university you'll produce new knowledge through a range of media, many of which are increasingly digital. From creating websites to using images to communicate visually you'll develop digital creativity and understand your intellectual property rights and responsibilities.
Digital Commons
The Digital Commons is a creative makerspace in the Information Commons offering 3D printing, Digital Stitchcraft, XR technologies, introductory coding, critical AI literacy and more.

Generative AI and your dissertation

Using AI and GenAI to find information
AI and Generative AI tools can be used to find information and assist you to develop effective search strategies. However, it's important to be critical of results you get from these tools and you'll benefit most using them alongside established methods for finding information.
How to use Generative AI critically
This guidance focuses on the skills you need to engage critically and ethically with the outputs of Generative AI (GenAI) tools and develop your understanding of how they can inform your academic work.

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