Research Workshops
Research Hacks
Hone your research skills this spring.
Photo by José Alejandro Cuffia on Unsplash
IMPORTANT: Please note that given University policy about in-person meetings during the coronavirus crisis, all face-to-face in-person workshops have been cancelled until further notice. Some of these workshops may be offered online instead. Check back on this page for more details. More information about the University's coronavirus response is available here .
Central Library is offering a full range of workshops this spring to help support research and academic success. Please see the topics below for more information about specific workshops and how to register.
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Introduction to Zotero
Zotero is one type of citation management software (or bibliographic management software). It allows you to create your own personal library of references to books, articles and documents. References can include citation information (author, title, publisher, etc.) as well as annotations, graphics, and even copies of the documents themselves. The software works with Microsoft Word and other word processors to automatically add references to your paper and format your bibliography in the proper style (MLA, APA, Chicago Style, etc.). If you are working on a paper, including an honors thesis, master’s thesis, or dissertation, consider signing up for a Zotero workshop!
Tuesday, January 21 @ 6:00 pm | OVER |
Wednesday, February 19 @ 12:10 pm | OVER |
Introduction to Mendeley
Mendeley is one type of citation management software (or bibliographic management software). It allows you to create your own personal library of references to books, articles and documents. References can include citation information (author, title, publisher, etc.) as well as annotations, graphics, and even copies of the documents themselves. The software works with Microsoft Word and Libre Office to automatically add references to your paper and format your bibliography in the proper style (MLA, APA, Chicago Style, etc.). If you are working on a paper, including an honors thesis, master’s thesis, or dissertation, consider signing up for a Mendeley workshop!
Tuesday, January 28 @ 6:00 pm | OVER |
Wednesday, February 26 @ 12:10 pm | OVER |
Google Scholar Hacks
While you may be familiar with Google Scholar as a way to use the Google search capabilities to find scholarly literature, you may not know all the tools that can help you link to VU resources, find other possible sources on a topic or research question, and be more precise in your searching. Learn about these features by signing up for the Google Scholar Workshop!
Wednesday, February 12 @ 12:10 pm | OVER |
Thursday, March 19 @ 6:00 pm | CANCELLED |
Database Hacks
Research takes a lot of time, especially keeping track of sources, finding them again, and learning about new ones. Did you know that many of the VU databases have tools to help you with your research and citations? Learn some of the time saving features of the ProQuest and EBSCO databases by signing up for this workshop.
Monday, March 9 @ 6:00 pm | OVER |
Thursday, April 2 @ 6:00 pm | CANCELLED |
Comprehensive Literature Search: Social Sciences
Searching the literature can seem overwhelming, especially making sure you’ve searched in all the possible places. How can you make sure you’re not missing something? How do you ensure you’ve examined all the important scholarship on a topic? Learn how to make the process less stressful by signing up for the Comprehensive Literature Search workshop!
Thursday, February 6 @ 6:00 pm | OVER |
Wednesday, April 8 @ 12:10 pm | CANCELLED |
Visualizing and Analyzing Data Using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in Your Research
Understand the fundamental concepts and skills needed to begin using GIS for the exploration and analysis of spatial data. Discover how GIS can further your research! Open to students, faculty and staff. Part I is an introduction to GIS concepts and analysis. Part II is an intermediate workshop building on the material in Part I.
Wednesday, March 11 @ 1:00 pm: Part I | CANCELLED |
Wednesday, April 15 @ 1:00 pm: Part II | CANCELLED |
Bacon, Cigarettes & Lesbian Cat Shows: Women Through the Lens of Primary Sources
The 1970s and 80s were a time of much change in work, family and social roles for women in the United States. Vanderbilt Library holds numerous primary source documents and archival materials that give insight into the various social spheres women navigated during this time.
This workshop will focus on magazines, newsletters, television ads, and personal papers. Collections held include: Women's Magazine Archive, LGBT Magazine Archive, Independent Voices, Women's Studies Archive: Women's Issues and Identities, Archives of Sexuality & Gender: LGBTQ History and Culture since 1940, and Vanderbilt Television News Archive.
Thursday, March 12 @ 12:00 pm | CANCELLED |
Yesterday’s News for Your Research
Discover the wealth and depth of current news sources available to you through Vanderbilt libraries. Explore titles spanning a range of subject areas. Find original news reports on significant events, film reviews, images & photos, speeches & lectures, interviews, classified ads, editorials and more to support and enrich your research!
Wednesday, March 25 @ 12:10 pm | CANCELLED |
Government Documents: A Tour and an Introduction to Using Them in Your Research
Have you ever wondered why the library has a separate government documents department? Or why government documents might be unexpectedly useful to you in your research? Join us for a tour of the government documents depository and a brief primer on the whys and wherefores of government documents, how to find them both physically and online, and the best starting points for using them in your research.
Friday, February 21 @ 12:10 pm | OVER |
Census 2020: Why It Matters (More then Ever) and What You Need to Know
Census 2020 has been in the news a lot lately. In 2020, for the first time, you will be able to fill out the census form online. Find out why the Census matters, what the data's used for, some of the history of the Census, how the process of completing the Census will work this coming year, and what resources the library has that can help you with any research related to the Census or to demographics more generally.
Monday, March 16 @ 12:10 pm | CANCELLED |