Supporting Research Students

1. Introduction

• Structure of this book
• Introduction to the world of research and research students
• The production and dissemination of knowledge
• Types of research degree
• Stakeholders in research degrees
• Contemporary issues regarding supporting research students
• Summary

2. Research and the research process

• Introduction
• Research proposal
• Research approach and methods
• Data collection and analysis
• Access and ethical issues
• Summarizing the research process
• Research issues
• Writing up
• The complexity of the research process
• Summary

3. The research student's experience

• Introduction
• Starting points
• Induction
• Working with a supervisor
• Getting started on the doctorate
• Selecting a topic
• Developing the study
• Summary

4. Moving forward and completing the research

• Introduction
• Moving forward
• Methodology
• Fieldwork
• Writing up
• Viva voce examination
• Amendments and completion
• Summary

5. Research skills training

• Introduction
• Training and skills of research students
• The UK Research Councils' Joint Statement of training requirements for research students
• Skills development
• Library and information research skills
• Case Study: Use of information sources
• Summary

6. Supporting research students in academic libraries and information services

• Introduction
• Information needs
• Current approaches to supporting research students
• Case Study: Example session plan - introduction to referencing
• Case Study: MI512 research training course for PhD students
• Targeting and communicating with research students
• Self-assessment: how do you support research students?
• Summary

7. Virtual graduate schools

• Introduction
• The development of virtual graduate schools
• Case Study: University of Hull Virtual Graduate School and the Graduate Virtual Research Environment
• Other approaches to developing a virtual graduate school
• Implications for library and information workers
• Summary

8. Introduction to research communities

• Introduction
• What are communities?
• Research communities
• Information sharing in academic communities
• Professional associations
• Academic conferences
• Online networking
• Implications for library and information workers
• Summary
• Notes

9. Professional development

• Introduction
• Professional organizations and networks
• Development offered by higher education institutions
• Research degrees
• Conclusion
• References and bibliography
• References
• Bibliography