RefWorks: using Write n Cite

Write n Cite is a Word plugin for RefWorks.  As you write your assignments, you can use Write n Cite to:

• insert in-text references in the text
• create a reference list for the end of your assignment

 

Want to see this guide again: click here to download or print it!

RefWorks: importing references

Have you been using the online databases to find information for your assignments?  Did you know that you can import reference (or citation) information directly from the databases into your RefWorks account? 

Have a look at how to reference information found on One Search, Academic Search Complete, Emerald Fulltext, IEEE Xplore, Science Direct etc.

Want to see this guide again: click here to download or print it!

RefWorks: an introduction

Are you working on assignments at the moment?  Do you find it difficult to keep all of your information sources in one place and to reference those sources?  RefWorks might be the answer!

Yesterday we showed you how to create an account.  Today have a look at some of the basic functions, such as:

• creating a reference
• editing a reference
• organizing your information into folder
• creating a bibliography

Want to see this guide again: click here to download or print it!

RefWorks: creating an account

Have you created your RefWorks account yet? 

RefWorks is a fantastic research tool.  It helps you to store and manage the different sources of information you use in your studies, and it helps you to create citations and bibliographies.  This week we are introducing you RefWorks - so start today.  Take 5 minutes out to create your account: it's this easy!

Want to see this guide again: click here to download or print it!

A good alternative to Google

Have you ever noticed that when we search on Google we tend not to look beyond the first few pages of search results?

Google lists the websites which it considers to be most relevent to you at the top of the list, based on the overall popularity of the website. Indeed, this is one of the reasons behind its success  - its quick and simple.

But have you ever considered how many results you could be missing out on? Is the most popular result always the 'right' result?

With that in mind, a good alternative to Google to try out is 'Similar Pages'. Its different because it searches the web and returns results based on similarity to the search term, rather than popularity of the website.

Here's how it works, as explained by their website:

SimilarPages works in three ways:

1-Search by Keyword:

-As a traditional search engine. You type a keyword (or a series of keywords) in the search field and you obtain a list of up to 300 sites related to the keyword.

Once obtained, the list of related sites, you can preview the content of each site by clicking on a link on the list. A second list built on the sites related to the one you just clicked on will appear. You can continue to click on more links until you will find interesting sites...

Once you have generated at least three lists, a horizontal slider will appear above the lists. By moving alongside it you can browse back and forth across the lists and discover thousands of sites related to the topic you are searching.

We indexed the whole web, so million and million of lists are available.


2-Search by Url:

-As a similar sites engine. You type a Url (e.g. www.site.com) in the search field and you obtain a list of sites related to the site address you typed.

Once you have obtained the list of related sites, you can either preview the content of each site or proceed and discover related sites as in the search by keyword.

3-Add-on:

-As a search and web discovery add-on. Once installed, the add-on will suggest to you a list of up to 300 sites related to the one you land on.

You can view the list in three ways: by opening the SimilarPages sidebar in your web browser; by right-clicking on any web page; by clicking on the Getmore icons in the Google results page.

Time is ticking!

Have you had a look at our new e-books yet?

When you click the "read online" icon, the book is issued to you for 24 hours. So get reading!

Need to borrow a laptop?

Have you ever wished you could borrow a laptop in order to do some research or write an assignment?  Well, the library now has 19 wifi-enabled laptops to lend to students!

Laptops can be borrowed for one day at a time.  Don't forget to bring your student card!

New e-books at ITB Library

Check out some of our library's new e-books!
They are available on-campus and off-campus, and most have print copies in the library.

• ACSM's health/fitness facility standards and guidelines 
• The art of SEO 
• Building embedded linux systems
• The filmmaker's eye : learning (and breaking) the rules of cinematic composition
• The Financial Times guide to strategy : how to create, pursue and deliver a winning strategy
• Getting started with processing
• HTML5: up and running
• Layout : an arrangement of parts etc. according to a plan
• Light-- science and magic : an introduction to photographic lighting
• Making things see : 3D vision with Kinect, Processing, Arduino, and MakerBot
• Making things talk : using sensors, networks, and arduino to see, hear, and feel your world
• Print and finish
• Pro HTML5 accessibility : building an inclusive web
• Skill acquisition in sport : research, theory and practice
• Social work : an introduction to contemporary practice

Any feedback?  Email us at libraryinfo@itb.ie

Useful phrases for academic writing

Are you doing an assignment, essay or thesis this semester? Do you ever find yourself stuck for a word, or perhaps you can't find the appropriate phrase to say what you mean... If so, the Academic Phrasebank might be useful for you...

The Academic Phrasebank is a general resource for academic writers, created by John Morley at the University of Manchester.

According to the site's own description,  ''It aims to provide you with examples of some of the phraseological "nuts and bolts" of writing.

The phrases can be used simply to assist you in thinking about your writing, or they can be used in your own work where this is appropriate. In most cases, a certain amount of creativity will be necessary when you do this. It is also possible to transfer some of the words used in particular phrases to others. The phrases are content neutral and generic in nature; in using them, therefore, you are not stealing other people's ideas and this does not constitute plagiarism.

Users will need to be aware that Phrasebank is not discipline specific, and it does not claim to be comprehensive''

Student Information Hub

We are pleased and excited to launch the SID-Library Student Inforamtion Hub today!  This online site gives easy access to the information you need.

Do you need to...
 ... change your network password?
 ... make an appointment with the Career's Office?
 ... access the library databases from home?

Find out how at the Student Information Hub!

Don't forget to enter our launch competition.  There are cinema tickets, chocolates and other Valentine's Day goodies to be won!  Just work through the quiz - if you get to the last page, you can enter the competition by just sending us your name and student number!

Librarian on-call 24/7...

How great would it be to have a librarian who can answer your questions on demand?

Well why not take a look at this...

Ask HerePA is a live chat reference service which is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, free of charge.


It is part of Access Pennsylvania, a project of the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries


All you need to do is follow the link to connect live to a librarian:

 

...and then fill in the form illustrated below. Choose a username. You can just put 'Ireland' in for the zip code.

Then type the question that you want answered.

Click on 'Connect'.

 

A librarian will come online shortly afterwards. In the chatroom box, you will see a message that will look something like this:

 

[Librarian 06:44:56]: Librarian 'Bruce (24/7 Librarian)' has joined the session.

[Librarian 06:46:58]: Hello! I'm Bruce, part of a network of reference librarians who help your local librarians when they're not available. I'm reading what you wrote so I can help you...

 

Remember, it is a real person you will be communicating with, not a robot, so please be patient and respectful. The aim is to provide you with good quality answers to  your questions.

 

 

This could be a valuable tool to have at your disposal, especially when it comes to doing research projects of your own.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



You can read the newspaper everyday in ITB Library...

Did you know that you can read the daily newspaper in ITB Library?

Every week day we get a  copy of  the Irish Times, the Irish Independent, the Financial Times and the Guardian.

We also receive the Sunday Business Post and the Sunday Independent, as well as the Saturday editions of the Irish Times & the Irish Independent

The library also holds three months of back issues for all of the above titles

You are free to read the newspaper in the library at any time. You dont need to borrow it to your account (just make sure you don't take it with you when you leave!!)

More good news!

Last week we told you that we are running a pilot scheme this semester.  Undergraduates can now borrow 6 books rather than 5. 

The second part of the pilot involves book renewals.  Usually students are limited to renewing their books twice before they need to return them.  This semester you can renew your books as often as you like, so long as the books are not overdue and no other student has reserved them.



You can renew your books:

• at the library desk:  bring your student card!
• at the self-issue: just re-borrow the book
• online

 

Later on in the semester we will ask you how this is working out.  You can let us know whether you think it's a good idea!

Use 'Exploratree' to get your ideas down...

Have you seen 'Exploratree'?

It's a free web resource where you can access a library of ready-made interactive thinking guides, print them, edit them or make your own. In short, it is the perfect tool for brainstorming and getting your ideas down.

Exploratree supports the thinking or working through of an issue, topic or question and help to shape, define and focus an idea and also support the planning required to investigate it further. It can be used as a basis for whole class discussion, or emailed to individuals or groups to complete.

They can also be used as a presentation tool to share your findings and thinking with others. As well as providing a set of ready to use thinking guides, which are completely customisable and shareable, Exploratree also enables teachers and students to create their own simply and easily.


With Exploratree you can:

• Use  ready-made thinking guides
• Make a new thinking guide from scratch
• Use it to set class projects
• Print them out (they can go as big as A0)
• Change and customise thinking guides, you can add or change text, shapes, images etc.
• As a teacher, you can set up the sequence that you want the thinking guide to be revealed in, so that you can stage the thinking activity
• You can fill in a thinking guide and complete your project on the website
• You can present your project
• You can send your thinking guide to a whole group of people
• You can submit a thinking guide for comments, so it can't be edited but just reviewed
• Work in groups on the same thinking guide

To use Exploratree you will need to register. It is free and all you need to do is fill out the online form and submit it.