Year 1 PS11420 2024

Finding and Using Resources Effectively

Presenter Information

• Name: Sarah Gwenlan

• Affiliation: Librarian, Aberystwyth University

• Contact: ssg@aber.ac.uk

Key Topics Covered

• Differences Between Academic and Non-Academic Resources

• Recognising and Locating Different Resources

• Introduction to APA Referencing

• Searching for Assignment Topic Questions

Resource Selection

Considerations for Resource Use

• Evaluate sources for suitability in studies:

  • The Study Skills Handbook

  • BPS Research Digest

  • Journal Article (Applied Psychology Journal)

  • All About Psychology Website

  • APA PsycArticles Database

  • Wikipedia

  • Simply Psychology Website

  • BBC News on Psychology

Evaluation Criteria

• Author: Who writes the source?

• Purpose: Why has it been written?

• Date: When was it published?

• Content: What information is provided?

• Source Origin: Where does the information come from?

Media Literacy and Information Evaluation

Key Concepts

• Understanding the need for media literacy in the digital age:

  • Protecting online image

  • Defining media and media literacy

  • Evaluating biases in media sources

  • Importance of fact-checking

Academic Materials Overview

Types of Academic Resources

• Textbooks:

  • Provide general grounding in a topic

  • Cover different aspects of a subject

• Journals:

  • Various issues per year

  • Include research, opinion, and news articles

  • Some journals are peer-reviewed, indicating quality

• Journal Articles:

  • In-depth examination of specific topics

  • May report on research studies

Additional Useful Resources

• Encyclopaedias

• Dictionaries

• Newspapers and Magazines

• Professional/Trade Press (e.g., The Psychologist)

• Government Reports

• PhD and MPhil Dissertations

Finding and Accessing Academic Resources

Accessing Libraries

• Primo: Main library catalogue for accessing collections

  • Location: primo.aber.ac.uk

  • Authentication needed to access electronic resources off-campus

• Aspire Reading Lists:

  • Lists of key resources selected by lecturers

  • Accessible via Blackboard

Borrowing from Libraries

• Online access via Primo

• Request feature for borrowed items

• Click and Collect service available

Database Utilization

New Database Search in Primo

• Roadmap for accessing electronic resources by subject

• Search functionality for comprehensive exploration

Psychology Resource Libraries

Key Resources in Psychology

• APA PsycArticles Database:

  • Full-text articles from various psychology journals

  • Coverage since 1894 with peer-reviewed content

E-books Search

• Available database for psychology-related e-books

• Example searches: Loss, Grief, Emotional Psychology

Referencing in APA Style

Examples of Referencing

• Book:

  • Stevenson, A. (2007). Studying Psychology. Palgrave MacMillan.

• Book Chapter:

  • Rutherford, J. (1988). ‘Who’s that man’. In Chapman, R. & Rutherford, J. (Eds.). Male Order: Unwrapping Masculinity. Lawrence and Wishart. pp. 21-68.

• Journal Article:

  • Willis, T. A., O'Connor, D. B., & Smith, L. (2008). Investigating effort–reward imbalance and work–family conflict... Work & Stress, 22(2), 125-137. doi:10.1080/02678370802180558

Understanding Plagiarism and Citation

Plagiarism Awareness Guide

• Definition and importance of referencing

• Consequences of plagiarism

• Citation tools and Turnitin report interpretation

AI and Academic Integrity

• Misuse of AI in academic settings considered unacceptable

• Guidance for ethical AI use in learning contexts

Support and Resources

Additional Resources Available

• Free Study Skills Course:

  • Focus on academic writing and critical thinking

• Appointment Booking:

  • Library drop-in sessions available

  • Contact details: ssg@aber.ac.uk, librarians@aber.ac.uk

Feedback Collection

• Session Feedback Link:

  • https://aber.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/feedbackdept