Learning Resources and your research

Learning Resources

Learning Resources and your research A quick guide for academic staff and postgraduate researchers.

lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides

How can Learning Resources support your research hints and tips Whether you are new to research or have an established track record, keeping up to date and knowing what services and resources are available at the University of Bedfordshire is essential.

My name is Jo Myhill and as Head of Academic Liaison I co-ordinate the work of the Academic Liaison Librarians in supporting learning, teaching and research. I work closely with the Research Graduate School to develop learning opportunities for you and with the Research Institutes to make sure we can provide access to the resources you need for your research.

This guide is just a quick overview of how we support research and acts as a signpost to further help and advice available.

If you have any particular questions, issues or would like to arrange a chat about your research needs, then please contact me.

Jo Myhill jo.myhill@beds.ac.uk 01582 743260 ext.3260

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Research Guide 2011/12

What resources are available to me?

All our print and electronic resources are listed on the library catalogue library.beds.ac.uk The Digital Library tab on the catalogue is a good starting point to see the e-resources we have in our collection.

The help pages signpost the resources in more detail.

To identify which resources could be relevant to your research it’s worth reading the online subject guides produced by the Academic Liaison Librarians (ALLs).

They are a good starting point to see the subject related resources we have. You may need to look at more than one if your research crosses a number of disciplines. lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides/subjectguides The Resources for Researchers guide identifies the higher level research resources available to you. lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides/resources/researchers

What username and password do I need to use to access resources?

Your username will be the ID number on your ID card Your password will be the default date, month, last two digits of the year (ddmmyy). You need to change this password to something more personal to you.

If you have any problems with your account you need to talk to the Customer Service staff or telephone 01582 743488.

Research Guide 2011/12

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How do I get material I need that you haven’t got in stock?

Like most libraries we won’t have everything you need for your research.

Our Document Supply Service lrweb.beds.ac.uk/documentsupply can usually obtain a copy of the material you want (books, articles, conference proceedings) in electronic or print format. You can place your requests electronically using the online forms lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/ docsupply/forms For information on how to receive your articles in Secure Electronic Delivery (SED) lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/ docsupply/sedplugin If you wish to use theses you need to use the EThOS service http://ethos.bl.uk from the British Library.

The EThOS service allows you to search for UK published theses and request a digital copy to be sent to you as a PDF. You will need to register to use the service if you wish to download thesis, usually there is no cost to you the end user if the item is already digitised.

Searching is easy and your list of results are displayed on screen.

For more advice talk to your Academic Liaison Librarian (ALL).

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Research Guide 2011/12

Is there a Librarian who can help me identify and use the resources and services on offer?

Learning Resources has a team of Academic Liaison Librarians (ALLs) who can offer: • Specialist advice on resources both in the library collection and externally • Developing search strategies and techniques for undertaking research • Managing your research using bibliographic software such as Refworks •

How to use our reservations and document supply services to access material not held in the collection

Can I visit other libraries for research?

Yes you can. The University of Bedfordshire is part of a number of access schemes which allows students, staff and researchers to visit and in some cases borrow material from other university libraries.

For more information http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/visiting

Does the university have an institutional respository?

We are developing the repository which will be online and accessible from September 2011. For more Information http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/help/ digital/repository

You can find out who your Academic Liaison Librarian is by looking at their profile pages page on the Learning Resources web pages http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/alls

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How can I keep my research skills up to date?

What reference management software is available?

The easiest way is to book a desktop visit with your ALL.

The University supports Endnote and Refworks.

It takes about an hour and we can either come to you in your office or you can come to us. We can cover:

How I can recommend new resources for the library?

• Databases relevant to your research needs

You can either talk to your ALL or complete this form:

• Advanced literature searching hints and tips

lrweb.beds.ac.uk/contact/ recommend

• Electronic document supply

We cannot guarantee we will be able to purchase your recommendation, but we will always consider your request.

• Using RSS feeds for current awareness • Accessing table of contents for your favourite journals • Reference management software • Using other Web 2.0 tools to manage time and resources

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Research Guide 2011/12

lrweb.beds.ac.uk/bibliographic

Academic Liaison Librarians (ALLs) UNIVERSITY OF BEFORDSHIRE BUSINESS SCHOOL (Law, Business, Accounting, Marketing, HRM, English Language) Alan Bullimore Peter Godwin Alan Wheeler FACULTY OF CREATIVE ARTS, TECHNOLOGIES (Computing, Science, Art & Design, Media, Performing Arts) Keith Daniels Chris Whitfield Sandra Weir FACULTY OF HEATH AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (Nursing, Midwifery, Psychology, Social Work, Social Studies, Criminology, Sport Therapy) Sally Fensome Alan Wheeler Janine Bhandol FACULTY OF EDUCATION, SPORT & TOURISM (Education, Coaching, Sport Science, Physical Education, Tourism) Hilary Johnson Adele Robinson Bill Mortimer RESEARCH INSTITUTES Jo Myhill

Research Guide 2010/11

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Learning Resources

libraryideas@beds.ac.uk lrweb.beds.ac.uk Luton campus 01582 743488 Bedford campus 01234 793189 Book renewals 01582 743262