WVU Libraries’ Research Skills Workshops provide research tips and tricks for academic success. Prepare for your next research assignment, find resources for a literature review, situate yourself in previous literature, and learn where to find key resources by attending one or more of these workshops.
To register for these workshops, follow the links attached to each event.
ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Online
Do a thesis research? This presentation explores the tools provided by ProQuest DTG. It will also explain how to access search results and link them to our WVU Library website.
Register for this workshop scheduled for 10-10:50 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23.
From Page to Database: Finding Scientific Articles from Popular Sources
This online workshop will help you ease the stress of research by strengthening your skills in identifying quality, scholarly sources from articles found in casual reading.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 24
Find the full text… fast online
Have you ever found a great article online, but hit a paywall to access the full text? This workshop introduces plug-ins and online tools that allow you to quickly access full text whether you are on or off campus.
Register for this workshop scheduled for 4-4:45 p.m. on Thursday, August 25
Learn how to use HathiTrust
HathiTrust provides full-text non-copyright material selected from major libraries such as Harvard University and the University of Michigan. This in-person presentation will cover the specific tools found in HathiTrust and how to use them. Site navigation, understanding search results, and linking the database to the WVU Library website will be explained in detail. Join us at the Evansdale Library, Room 130.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, August 30
Introduction to Federal Policy and Legislative Resources
In this workshop, participants will learn how to locate and use resources for policy and legislative resources. In addition to resources for bills and statutes, users will also receive an introduction to finding supporting documents, including current and historical legislative histories, hearings, documents, and printouts.
This workshop will take place in person in Room 104 of the Downtown Campus Library and online. If you plan to attend in person, you will need to bring a laptop.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31
Getting the most out of Google Scholar
Google Scholar offers several powerful features that academics may not be aware of. This workshop will present the main differences between searching in Google Scholar and library databases, techniques to increase your access to full-text documents, and other more sophisticated features to improve your search results.
At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Understand the strengths and limitations of Google Scholar
• Customize Google Scholar accounts by creating alerts, claiming an author profile, and linking to WVU library holdings
• Apply advanced research techniques to create targeted search strategies in Google Scholar
• Explain some of Google’s privacy issues and methods to resolve them
This workshop will be offered twice:
Register for this workshop scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6
Register for this workshop scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5
Find the full text… fast online
Have you ever found a great article online, but hit a paywall to access the full text? This workshop introduces plug-ins and online tools that allow you to quickly access full text whether you are on or off campus.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7
Nexis Uni for Government Information: In-Depth Database Analysis
Nexis Uni is a library database that lets you access federal and state government documents, including codes, constitutions, legislation, court cases and more. Each entry is annotated with relevant laws and cases. In this workshop, participants will learn how to navigate and access these resources using the database.
This workshop will take place in room 2036 of the downtown campus library. If you plan to attend in person, you will need to bring a laptop.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 8
Start a literature review
Do you have a literature review in your future? Come learn the steps of an informed review and practice database search strategies. Registration required. This workshop will take place on Zoom.
This workshop will be offered twice:
Register for this workshop scheduled from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14
Register for this workshop scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, September 29
Design of the search strategy for systematic biomedical reviews
Explore the basics of conducting a systematic literature review, including how to frame a research question, develop a search strategy, and search biomedical literature databases. Related LibGuide: Systematic Reviews by Jennifer Monnin.
This workshop will be offered twice:
Register for this workshop scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 15
Register for this workshop scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5
Research tools and software for academic writing
This workshop will highlight popular online tools that help writers at different stages of writing an article or essay. Discover ways to improve your writing skills with online tools designed to help you write more effectively. The writing and research tools covered will cover topics such as grammar, editing, plagiarism, citation management and project management software.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 22
Find and research teaching methods and techniques online
Do research on teaching in higher education? Explore databases to find articles on topics such as active learning, critical thinking, and assessment.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 22
From Page to Database: Finding Scientific Articles from Popular Sources
Do you want to be able to identify quality articles and find scholarly sources from articles you might see in casual reading? This online workshop will help you ease the stress of research by building your skills in both areas. Get ready for interactive participation in reviewing articles.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28
Find social science datasets
Social scientists use data to map, understand, and make predictions about the social world. This workshop will introduce two of the main social science research data repositories: the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research and the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research. This workshop will meet at the Downtown Campus Library, Classroom 136. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Apply research and navigation techniques to identify relevant datasets for secondary analysis
• Understand a dataset record and other data documents
• Perform full dataset downloads
This workshop will be offered twice:
Register for this workshop scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, October 10
Register for this workshop scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26
Writing about data: a scientific writing workshop
Are you a graduate student with a data-rich technical report or thesis in your future? This workshop will explain data writing conventions, including incorporating tables and graphs, using passive voice, and writing successful summaries. This workshop will meet at the Evansdale Library, rooms 228/229. A light pizza dinner will be offered. Registration is mandatory.
Register for this workshop scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12
Introduction to the Engineering Village
This online workshop will focus on finding better ways to use the Engineering Village database. It can be used as OCE.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 17
Introduction to the IEEE Database
This online workshop will focus on more effective use of the IEEE database. This will count as an OCE.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18
Introduction to the IEEE Database (in person)
This in-person workshop will focus on more effective use of the IEEE database and will count as an ECA. This session will take place at the Evansdale Library, room 130.
Register for this workshop scheduled from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 20
Which works better: Web of Science, Scopus or Google Scholar?
Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar provide an overview of a research area. By comparing these three tools, you can discover the advantages and disadvantages of using these bibliographic databases.
Register for this workshop scheduled for 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Thursday, October 27 workshop
