Learning Hub

Where to start 

• Dissertations - From Design to Deadline 
  • Materials and resources to help you identify: the key aspects of preparing for a dissertation or project; an initial topic; the purpose of a literature review; and issues to consider in your planning.
• Preparing for your dissertation: the literature review:
  • Support for literature reviews, including: understanding the aim of the literature review; creating a search strategy; finding books and journal articles for your topic; managing your references using RefWorks; building up a bibliography for your portfolio; thinking critically about your results; and ultimately writing your review.

Searching

• Doing a literature search for your dissertation or project:
  • Learn to search more effectively by identifying keywords and planning your search strategy using advanced search techniques.
• Structured searching for health students (using CINAHL and other databases):
  • Aimed at health students who need to carry out a structured search. It covers planning the search, using a framework such as PICO/PIO/PEO and searching using boolean operators and advanced techniques.
• Structured searching using PIO (for Social Sciences, Humanities and Law students):
  • Particularly useful to students on Early Years, Early Childhood Studies and Education courses who are undertaking a secondary research dissertation or research proposal.

Writing

• Writing a literature review:
  • This guide will give you hints and tips on writing a literature review. Including: structure; style; linking ideas; and good practice.
• Writing a research proposal:
  • Learn how to produce an effective research proposal.
• Writing abstracts:
  • Discover the purpose of an abstract, what an abstract should include, good practice and making an impact.

The full process

• Doing your dissertation:
  • Brings together the resources for the key stages of doing a dissertation, from the initial research proposal stage to planning and writing your final version.
• Systematic Reviews:
  • Aimed at postgraduate researchers, from Health and Social Sciences, Humanities and Law who are carrying out a full systematic review. It looks at defining the review question and developing criteria for including studies; searching for studies; and selecting studies and collecting data.

• Exams and how to survive them:
  • This guide will cover: developing ideas for effective revision; preparing for an exam; creating an exam strategy; and dealing with stress.
• Succeed@exams:
  • Top tips to help succeed with exams include: managing stress; looking after yourself; preparation; the day of the exam; and getting help.
• Getting exam fit:

  • Everyone deals with pressure differently, but we're here to help. Check out this list of simple things you can do to help stay healthy and well during your time at university - and beyond.

Student Futures:

Student Futures can support you with all aspects of your career. Including: planning your next steps; finding ways to get invaluable experience, or helping with a job application or updating your CV.

Further Study

If you are thinking about investing your time and funds in further study, see the further study section of this guide for more information.