Biological Sciences Libraries Research Skills Series 2024-2025
(Thu 3 Oct 2024 - Mon 2 Dec 2024)
October 2024
| Thu 3 |
This session will provide an overview of the support and resources available from libraries and other useful departments from across the University of Cambridge for new postgraduates and researchers. It will also provide an introduction to the various training opportunities on offer from library staff on a wide range of useful research themes and skills. After this session, participants will have a better understanding of what services are out there to help support them in their time at Cambridge and who they can ask for help. |
| Mon 7 |
This session will provide an overview of the support and resources available from libraries and other useful departments from across the University of Cambridge for new postgraduates and researchers. It will also provide an introduction to the various training opportunities on offer from library staff on a wide range of useful research themes and skills. After this session, participants will have a better understanding of what services are out there to help support them in their time at Cambridge and who they can ask for help. |
| Mon 14 |
This session equips participants with all the fundamental skills that they need to research and begin writing their literature review. This includes building and executing effective search strategies to locate relevant materials for literature reviews, projects and other related research activities, key searching techniques, where to search, and how to keep up to date with the latest research. We will then discuss what to do with material participants find during their searching, looking at skills such as critical evaluation, structural reading and how to start writing. This session will include live demonstrations of scientific databases to demonstrate the key principles covered in action, as well as time for participants to start developing their own key words and search strategies. |
| Mon 21 |
Using a reference manager is one of the best ways to look after crucial research literature, whether planning for a literature review or simply keeping track of developments in a particular discipline. This session will introduce Zotero, an open source reference manager tool. Using live demonstrations, discussions, and troubleshooting common referencing issues, the session will give an in-depth look at how Zotero (and tools like it) can help maximise a research project workflow while also ensuring that critical resources and information are not lost at any point in the research process. |
| Mon 28 |
This session introduces participants to the concept of research data, all the forms that it can take as well as negotiating the management of different data depending on their type. Topics such as effective storage, handling sensitive data, and developing best practice approaches to avoid data loss during a project will be covered. The session will also explore how to create a data management plan (DMP) and the support available, as well as providing an overview of useful tools and services both within the University of Cambridge and beyond. |
November 2024
| Mon 4 |
This session will cover all the essential information needed to create an effective publication strategy. This includes choosing your professional name, considering what you actually want to publish, and how to choose where to publish, including a look at how to responsibly use journal metrics. We will also discuss the publication process and demystify things such as peer review and copyright transfer agreements, before exploring open access and Creative Commons. Participants should leave the session feeling confident that they know how create a good publication strategy for their research, with increased understanding of the topics covered. |
| Mon 11 |
Need to create a conference poster but are not sure where to start? This session will introduce participants to the fundamentals of designing an effective and engaging poster that is perfect for communicating research ideas. The session will look at good design practice, where to source free high quality graphics, as well as deciding what you should (and maybe shouldn't) include in your final poster. |
| Mon 18 |
Metrics have become omnipresent in research assessment, but are often flawed and used irresponsibly. This session explores the guidelines in place to help researchers use metrics more responsibly, including recommendations from DORA and University guidance. We'll then look at common metrics such as journal impact factor and h-index, where they are found and how they are used in academia. Finally we will discuss some particular circumstances where researchers should aim to use metrics responsibly, such as tidying up your online profiles, choosing a journal and recruitment. Participants should leave the session more aware of the issues with particular research metrics and of the guidance available within the University, and confident in their ability to use metrics responsibly in their academic career. |
| Mon 25 |
This session discusses the benefits and challenges of communicating yourself and your research in the online environment. First we look why you need an online presence, followed by setting up your academic persona. Then we explore important academic profiles to have as a researcher (such as ORCID, Google Scholar and Web of Science) and touch on author-level metrics and how to use them responsibly. Then we move onto social media, looking at the practicalities and pros and cons of online engagement through tools such as Twitter/X, Mastodon, Instagram and YouTube, before finally looking at academic networking sites like LinkedIn, ResearchGate and academia.edu. Participants should expect to have the opportunity to critically evaluate the various options presented in this session with the overall aim of being better informed when deciding where to invest their time and efforts when building an online profile and communicating their research. |
December 2024
| Mon 2 |
This session will introduce participants to different methods of communicating research before moving on to a discussion around best practice and techniques when preparing a presentation. Participants will be introduced to concepts around good design, accessibility, data presentation, and accessing Creative Commons licensed materials for their work. The session will conclude with an exploration of good delivery techniques with additional advice on what to do if it all goes wrong. |