Library Workshops
The Library runs workshops for students and staff throughout the year. These workshops focus on study and research skills and how to best utilise the resources available through the Library.
To register to attend a workshop, visit the Library Workshops calendar to find out what, when and where workshops will be held. Or if you want to discover more before you attend a session, this page lists the workshops we offer, details the topics covered and highlights any extra resources and support options available.
Finding Information
There's an abundance of information out there, but good information isn't always obvious. Discover reliable search methods, how to request resources and make the most out of our online and physical resources.
Self-paced workshop.
Learn how to:
- Navigate the Library homepage
- Find quality academic material for assignments
- Place requests
- Check your account
- Access Waikato Reading lists
Step 1: Finding Academic Resources
Learn how to:
- Identify the different types of resources available
- Use Library Search to find quality academic resources
- Understand call numbers and how to locate a book in the library
- Use Waikato Reading Lists to access resources
Step 2: Growing your Search skills
Learn how to:
- Identify the best search location for different resource types
- Identify main keywords from an assignment question
- Choose appropriate synonyms for given keywords
- Use the best keywords and synonyms in a search
- Locate further keywords from search results
Step 3: Making the most of Library Search
Self-paced workshop.
This short self-paced workshop builds on Step 1 and Step 2 and includes extra tips and ideas to get the best results out of Library Search.
Learn how to:
- Conduct searches using titles and keywords
- Use filters to narrow search results
- Apply truncation and phrase searching techniques
- Locate and use ebooks
- Save and organise search results
- Find articles outside of Library Search
Software
Having the right tool for the job can significantly increase the chances of success. Discover how the following software can grow your research, referencing and formatting skills.
- Unravel the mysteries of worksheets and workbooks
- Manipulate data in cells and Auto-fill
- Use basic formulas such as SUM and COUNTIF
- Absolute and relative referencing
- Chart wizard (Column Chart and Pie Chart)
- Format as Table and Sort/Filter data - download data for Test Result
- Data Analysis Toolpack
- IF function and advanced Excel formulas such as VLOOKUP - download data for Grade
- Pivot Table and Pivot Chart
Microsoft Powerpoint Essentials
- Create a simple slideshow featuring objects such as clip art, charts and cartoons
- Use basic animation
- Format background with pre-set themes or your own images
- Get familiar with Microsoft Word
- Practice all the basic skills needed for your first assignment
- Create, save and print
Microsoft Word for Theses and Long Documents
Work smarter not harder. Essential for dissertation, masters and first year doctoral students.
- Format margins, page numbers, fonts etc according to the UoW presentation guidelines
- Use heading styles to ensure consistency, automate Table of Contents and streamline document navigation
- Create automatic lists of figures and tables
- Create captions for tables and figures
Referencing
Life has its challenges, but referencing shouldn't be one of them. Gain confidence and understanding of the referencing styles required for your university assignments and reach new heights!
This workshop covers all the APA Essentials. If you are brand new to referencing, need a refresher or just want to upskill, this is the workshop for you. We will cover:
- Using in-text citations
- Referencing books, edited books, journals, and websites
- Understanding reference lists and in-text citations (paraphrasing and direct quoting)
If you would like more advanced or bespoke APA help, please request a consultation with a librarian, email [email protected] or take one of our self-paced online workshops.
Research Support
Become familiar with critical components of the Research lifecycle.
Learn how copyright affects all aspects of your research, from seeking permission to use others’ work, to knowing your rights when publishing.
- Understand copyright in the academic environment
- Third-party copyright: how to get the permissions you need
- Use Creative Commons to share your research and control how it is used by others
- Contracts and Intellectual Property: what you need to consider
Not currently offered.
Getting Started with your Literature Review
Kickstart your research process with expert advice on library databases and search strategies, as well as guidance on finding examples of theses and keeping current with the literature.
- Learn how to use Library Search to find material for your literature review
- Discover other databases the Library subscribes to which are relevant to your topic
- Set up alerts so that the latest research is delivered to your inbox
- Use Research Commons to find examples of other theses
- Access the collections of other libraries using Interloans
Introduction to Research Data Management
Cover the basics of Research Data Management. Learn the best ways to manage and protect your data, including backing up, storing, naming conventions, file types and citation.
Measuring and Maximising your Research Impact
Discover how to assess the impact your research is having. You will learn ways to disseminate your research effectively and maximise your chances of getting cited.
- Bibliometrics and Altmetrics: what they are and how they can be used
- How to maximise your citations and boost your impact
Microsoft Word for Theses and Long Documents
Work smarter not harder. Essential for dissertation, masters and first year doctoral students.
- Format margins, page numbers, fonts etc according to the UoW presentation guidelines
- Use heading styles to ensure consistency, automate Table of Contents and streamline document navigation
- Create automatic lists of figures and tables
- Create captions for tables and figures
Learn how to decide which journals to publish in, maximise your chances of article acceptance and find out which publishing pitfalls to avoid!
- Use Cabells scholarly analytics to find reputable and highly-cited journals
- Learn how to identify and avoid predatory publishers
- Vanity publishing: what it is and how to avoid it
- Understand the pros and cons of Open Access publishing
- Learn how to find Open Access journals and how to publish in them
Understand the various ways in which you can manage your identity as a researcher online, as well as methods to boost your visibility and ensure you get credit for your work.
- How to use academic and social networks such as Academia.edu, ResearchGate, Google Scholar to connect with other researchers and enhance your online profile
- Use personal identifiers such as ORCID ID, Scopus ID and Researcher ID to ensure your work is being credited to you
- Use these tools to ensure your work is as discoverable as possible and is reaching its intended audience
Gain knowledge of how to prepare for carrying out your research in a responsible and ethical way.
- Understand the principles of referencing
- Referencing styles: tips, tricks and common mistakes
- Enhance your knowledge of the central tenets of academic integrity and how this works in practice
- Self-plagiarism: what it is and how to avoid it
Not currently offered.