Research Tools for Graduate Students Workshop Series: Upcoming Workshops
While we currently don't have any more workshops scheduled for this semester, recordings and materials are available on the "Past Workshops and Resources" tab. Check back at the beginning of next semester for details about next semester's workshops!
Getting Started with Zotero
Monday, January 30, 2:30-3:45 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Lisa Becksford
Zotero is a free, easy-to-use citation manager that can help researchers save time and frustration. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of Zotero, including adding references to your library, organizing your library, and using Zotero to cite references within a document (both Word and Google Docs). To get the most out of the session, you should have Zotero downloaded to your computer already. Information on how to download the software is available at guides.lib.vt.edu/citationmanagers/Zotero.
Register for the session here.
Literature Reviews and Database Searching for Engineers
Wednesday, February 8, 2:30-3:30 pm
Instructor: Sarah Over
You need to write a literature review for your research or class... but how do you get started? What kinds of literature reviews are there? Where should you search? How do you search efficiently and effectively? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this interactive workshop.
By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:
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Identify different types of literature reviews
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Find relevant engineering and related databases
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Create effective searches
This workshop will focus on research in engineering, including computer science. Participants from other disciplines are welcome, but should be aware of the disciplinary focus of this workshop.
Getting Started with EndNote
Monday, February 13, 4-5:15 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Lisa Becksford
EndNote is one of the most powerful citation managers available today. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of EndNote, including adding references to your library, organizing your library, and using EndNote to cite references within a document. To get the most out of the session, you should have the most recent version of EndNote (20) already downloaded from VT Software Distribution. More information and a link to download it is available at guides.lib.vt.edu/citationmanagers/EndNote.
Introduction to LaTeX with Overleaf
Thursday, February 16, 2-3 pm
Instructor: Sarah Over
Come learn how to get started with this popular coding tool for writing technical papers! LaTeX (pronounced Lay-tech or Lah-tech) is a free typesetting system designed for technical publications that can be used for many writing projects.
In the workshop we’ll cover:
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How to create your first article
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How to add content including text, figures and citations
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Where to learn more about using LaTeX
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How to get the most out of Overleaf
All are welcome to attend no matter your field or LaTeX experience level.
Advanced LaTeX for ETDs and More
Wednesday, February 22, 2-3:30 pm
Instructor: Sarah Over
Looking for a different platform besides Word or Google for your thesis or dissertation? Or do you want to go beyond the basics in LaTeX? Come learn more about working with LaTeX in Overleaf for larger projects!
In the workshop we’ll cover:
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Setup and structure of large projects with multiple .tex files
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Using citation managers with LaTeX
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Creating your own commands
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Options for collaboration
Experience with LaTeX or other coding experience is highly recommended for this workshop. Learners should have a citation manager (EndNote, Mendeley, Zotero, etc.) installed prior to the workshop with some references added. Although we will be using Overleaf, you are welcome to use your preferred LaTeX distribution.
Getting Started with Mendeley
Tuesday, February 7, 2-3:15 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Lisa Becksford
Mendeley is a free, easy-to-use citation manager that can help researchers save time and frustration. In this interactive workshop, you will learn the basics of Mendeley, including adding references to your library, organizing your library, and using Mendeley to cite references within a document. To get the most out of the session, you should have Mendeley downloaded to your computer already.. Information on how to download the software is available at guides.lib.vt.edu/citationmanagers/Mendeley.
Deciphering Research Impact Metrics
Thursday, February 9, 3:30-4:45 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Rachel Miles
You’ve probably heard of the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) and perhaps even the h-index. You know that citations are important to a scholar’s career and impact. However, there are many purposes and interpretations of these metrics, and deciphering their meaning can be a headache if you don’t have a general understanding of research impact metrics and research assessment. In this workshop, you will learn the differences between the many types of citation metrics, usage statistics, and altmetrics. You’ll learn where to find them, how to use them to your advantage, and how to avoid making common mistakes and/or unintentionally misusing these metrics.
Getting the Most Out of Your Citation Manager
Tuesday, February 14, 3:30-4:30 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Lisa Becksford
Citation managers like EndNote, Mendeley, and Zotero are powerful tools that can help you save, organize, and cite your references. Their use can also help improve your workflow and make the research process easier and less stressful. This session will focus on ways to get the most out of your citation manager. By the end of the session, you’ll be able to
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Integrate citation managers into your existing workflow
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Identify personal best practices for using citation managers
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Use advanced features of the citation manager of your choice to streamline your research workflow
This session will assume that you are already using and are familiar with a citation manager like EndNote, Zotero, and Mendeley. If you’re not, you should familiarize yourself with a citation manager by signing up for one of the introductory sessions in this series or via one of the tutorials on this guide: https://guides.lib.vt.edu/citationmanagers
Register for the session here.
Literature Reviews and Database Searching for Animal & Life Sciences
Tuesday, February 21, 3:30-4:45 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Kiri DeBose
You’ve been assigned to write a literature review...but how do you get started? What kinds of literature reviews are there? Where should you search? How do you know what search terms to use? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this interactive workshop. By the end of this session, you’ll be able to
- Identify the type of literature review to be conducted
- Find relevant databases to search in the life sciences
- Create effective search strategies
This workshop will focus on research in the life sciences. Other discipline-specific workshops will be offered; see other options above.
Introduction to Online Scholarly Presence
Thursday, February 23, 3:30-4:45 pm, Zoom
Instructor: Rachel Miles
LinkedIn, ORCID, ResearcherID, ResearchGate, Google Scholar Profile...how do you choose which sites you should create professional and scholarly profiles for? This workshop will provide an introduction to creating an online scholarly presence. Learn how to create and maintain your unique author identifier to ensure you get credit for your work, link your profiles together for ease of use, and track research impact metrics and online engagement of your research.
Register for the session here.
Presenting with LaTeX
Monday, February 27, 2:30-3:30 pm
Instructor: Sarah Over
Come learn how to do even more with LaTeX – creating your presentations in LaTeX! Whether it is a deck of slides or poster, come learn about the other document classes available for presentations.
This workshop will cover:
- How to create and customize slides
- Reusing existing LaTeX code
- Drawing figures
- Adjusting document size
Some experience with LaTeX or other coding experience is recommended to get the most out of this workshop. We will be using Overleaf, but you are welcome to use your preferred LaTeX distribution.