Postgraduate research
Starting post-graduate research can be daunting, as you need to learn how to search for information in a logical and controlled way. A last-minute search on Google won’t find you the evidence-based, up-to-date research information you need to support a Masters.
Remember that you have already had to do a lot of research to get to the stage where you are now.
For successful post-graduate study, you will just need to build on the skills you already have.
You may need to:
- Learn how to conduct an in-depth search to identify a range of resources.
- Become familiar with the databases used to find literature in your subject area.
- Learn to plan your time, so that you leave time to find more obscure articles or get copies from another library.
- Keep track of your references, so that you and others can find the resources again.
Edinburgh Napier Library buys quality, up-to-date resources to support your study. We subscribe to more than 200 databases with full-text articles available from over 50,000 journals. However, as you focus on a very specific subject, you will probably also find that you need to visit other libraries in the region, such as the National Library of Scotland or Edinburgh University Library.
First steps
Your Subject Librarian may attend a class and give a teaching session on how to best search for information in your area. This includes details about which databases are best for which subjects, coverage, and access.If your subject librarian does not visit your class, a lot of this information is available on the Library web pages. Search methods and the type of material required varies from subject to subject, so the best place to start is with the guide prepared by your subject librarian.
Research Cycle
The Research Cycle aims to introduce the key information and research skills required to develop into a successful researcher. It highlights the support available from Information Services at each stage of the research cycle, from thinking and planning to publishing and sharing.
You'll find more events and training in the Edinburgh Napier Researcher Development programme.
Subject Guides Research CycleBuilding on the Basics
Check out the LibGuide on literature reviewing to help you get started. This describes how to break down the parts of your search to help you find what you are looking for. If you are having difficulty finding relevant material, email your subject librarian and ask for help.
If you are looking for a thesis, see Finding Theses.
Literature Reviewing LibGuideFinding articles not available in our Libraries
You may need to visit other libraries in Edinburgh, or you may need to request an inter-library loan (requesting the article from another library).The libraries you are most likely to visit are Edinburgh University Library or the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge.
To visit Edinburgh University Library, you will need to apply for SCONUL access from your home library. To visit the National Library of Scotland, you will need to apply for membership.
Request an Inter-Library Loan Other Libraries
Referencing for your dissertation or thesis
Each School has guidelines for referencing practice and you should always check with your supervisor about the style of referencing you should use.There are guidelines for each School. See Bibliographies and Referencing.
If you want to use specialist software to keep track of your references, see the Reference Management LibGuide. These allow you to create a library of your references (including importing the details directly from online databases), and then output a bibliography at the end.