4. Look at other dissertations

The library keeps hard copies of outstanding dissertations, provided by academic departments, and mostly at postgraduate level dissertations. Departments themselves might have copies of undergraduate level dissertations. You can search on the library catalogue to see what’s available. For a Masters level thesis, click on other categories on the library catalogue; change the stock category from full catalogue to MA course work and then search. For a PhD level thesis, click on the link on the catalogue and then search. Masters level theses are available on the ground floor on shelves close to Special Collections. They are shelved alphabetically. For a PhD level thesis, click on the link on the catalogue and then search. These are kept in the stack – please ask in Special Collections.

5. Use Senate House and other libraries

Goldsmiths students aren’t just restricted to using this library. Your research might locate items that we don’t have at Goldsmiths. First, register with Senate House Library. It’s the main library of the University of London and Goldsmiths students can borrow their books and use their electronic resources once they’ve registered. You can also ask at the enquiry desk for a SCONUL card. This provides either reference (undergraduate) or borrowing (postgraduate) access to many other UK libraries. Use COPAC to find which libraries hold books we don’t.

6. Use EndNote Web or Zotero for referencing

Referencing your work can be time-consuming, but to make it easier, use software to keep track of all the items you’ve referenced for your research. There are two main pieces of referencing software you can use: EndNote Web and Zotero. EndNote Web is supported by the College – you can use it on most computers in the library and library staff offer training. Follow the instructions on the IT website to start using it. Zotero is the latest piece of referencing software. It’s not supported by the College and we don’t offer formalised training (but speak to your subject librarian if you need help), but it is increasingly being used by academic researchers and it can be more straightforward to use than EndNote Web. See which software you like – using either will save you time in the long run.

7. Contact CELAW for academic writing help

The library can’t provide help with academic writing, but we can refer you instead to the Centre for English Language and Academic Writing (CELAW). CELAW offers all students advice on improving essay writing and other academic language skills through drop in sessions on Thursdays 4-5pm (RHB307) and Fridays 2-3pm (RHB353). CELAW also offers in-sessional English classes to improve the academic writing of non-native English speakers, and also offers online writing guides on its VLE pages.

Writing Your Dissertation – Part 1

As the end of term and Easter approaches, many of you will be working on your dissertations. With a deadline in sight, it can be stressful, whether it’s your first dissertation or second. Why not remove some of that stress by using the advice we’ve listed below? Find out how the library can help; see the resources we have and the training we can provide. Although we can’t promise you an outstanding dissertation, we can suggest ways to make the whole process a little easier.

1. Consult your course handbook

Your department should let you know what it expects from your dissertation. You should already have chosen a dissertation topic and have been allocated a supervisor. Check the course handbook to find the information that will help you write a successful dissertation. It should tell you the purpose of the dissertation, what skills you need to use and develop and what their preferred writing style is (font size and type, line spacing). Emphasis might also be placed on referencing – read this carefully. Know which citation style your department uses. Check submission dates and how to hand in your dissertation. Get all this right and you’re on the right track.

2. Contact your subject librarian and use subject guides

Subject librarians work with academic departments to support learning and teaching. Each department has a subject librarian. We create subject guides to highlight the resources the library has and how they can best help you with your studies. Use this as the first resource when starting research. It will tell you where to find books, journals, audiovisual materials, newspapers – pretty much any kind of resource that will be useful. You can contact your subject librarian for further help – contact details are at the top of the subject guides. We can help by email or you can ask for 1:1 training.

3. Use books on academic writing

The library has a number of books to help with academic writing. These are available at 029.6 (first floor) or 808.02 (second floor). These can give advice on how to write specifically for dissertations, how to reference and avoid plagiarism, and how to write according to certain styles. These will help turn your research into prose.

Writing Your Dissertation – Part 2