‘Index to Theses’ service now links to 50,000 full text online theses

As from this month, Index to Theses provides links to around 50,000 full text theses. They are available as free downloads from university repositories and the EThOS site.

Around 70% of these online theses are linked via the EThoS service, a further 15% via a choice of EThOS or the university repositories covered by EThOS, and the rest via university sources. Users link from the existing Index to Theses database entry, most of which (320,000 entries) include an abstract.

Where a thesis is not yet available online, Index to Theses describes alternative routes for obtaining the full text, whether by loan or digitisation. An explanation of the linking feature can be seen at: www.theses.com/obtain.html

Index to Theses has over 550,000 entries at the start of 2011. Over 16,000 new theses are added annually.

Library training sessions for this term

Booking is now open for this term’s database sessions. Come and learn how to find information for your projects at the library’s introductory database sessions on the following subjects:

Databases

CSA (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts): CSA covers major areas of research, including environmental sciences, materials science, biological sciences, engineering and computer science.

EBSCO Business Source Complete: Ebsco provides access to a wealth of business information including company and country reports and full-text journal articles. This session is for business and non-business students who need to find business information for their projects.

Google Scholar: Google Scholar is a service which uses the Google search engine, but searches only scholarly resources. This session will cover search tips, what Google Scholar can do for you, and the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Scholar

MetaLib: This information portal provides access to databases and electronic journals subscribed to by the Library. Many of the resources can be cross-searched, where a single search is carried out on more than one database.

PubMed: This is the most comprehensive source for biomedical articles. This session is for students who need to find information in medicine and related subjects.

Resources for engineering students: This workshop will introduce students to the Library’s resources suitable for finding Engineering information more efficiently and effectively. Key databases, e-books and other sources of information will be covered and will include a practical hands-on session

Scifinder Scholar: SciFinder Scholar is a key chemistry resource and also covers biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, medicine, and related disciplines.

Web of Science: This multidisciplinary database covers a wide range of subjects including science, engineering, humanities, medicine and social sciences. It also includes cited references for all articles.

Study Skills

Academic Writing: Learn techniques for improving your academic writing skills. You will learn how to understand essay questions, look at different academic writing formats and gain some tips to help in those all important exams.

Current awareness in your subject: This hands-on workshop will show you a number of methods (such as using a Google Reader account) to enable you to keep up to date with new developments in your subject field, including research findings and news items.

Intelligent use of the Internet: Learn which sources on the Internet to trust. We all use the internet but we don’t always know how reliable it is. This session will show you how to decide whether the information you find on the internet is valuable research or just plain rubbish!

Presentation Skills: Get general advice and tips on preparing a presentation, including how to plan a presentation, and what to do when you are a presenter.

Reading & Note Taking: Learn techniques for improving your reading and note taking skills

Reference Management

RefWorks: Learn how to store your references and create a reference list

Timetable

Academic Writing: Thursday 10 February 2011 12.00 – 13.00

CSA: Tuesday 25 January 2011 12.00 – 13.00

Current awareness in your subject: Monday 21 February 2011 12.00 – 13.00

Ebsco: Tuesday 1 February 2011 12.00 -13.00

Google Scholar: Thursday 3 March 2011 12.00 – 13.00

Intelligent Use of the Internet: Thursday 17 February 2011 12.00 -13.00

MetaLib: Tuesday 8 February 2011 12.00 – 13.00

Presentation Skills: Thursday 24 February 2011 12.00 -13.00

PubMed: Tuesday 15 February 2011 12.00 -13.00

Reading and Note Taking: Thursday 3 February 2011 12.00 -13.00

RefWorks: Thursday 27 January 2011 12.00 – 13.00

Resources for Engineering: Tuesday 22 February 2011 12.000 -13.00

SciFinder Scholar: Monday 7 February 2011 12.00 -13.00

Web of Science : Tuesday 1 March 2011 12.00 -13.00
Thursday 9 December 2010 12.00 – 13.00

All sessions are in Training room 1 on Level 1 of the Central Library unless otherwise stated

To book

Please complete the booking form at http://www.imperial.ac.uk/library/subjectsandsupport/workshops/lrspbookings to register for any of these sessions.

New books for a new year!

The latest books to be added to the Library’s Environmental Technology collection can be found in the list below. As ever, if you would like to see more details of a book, please click on the title to be taken to the book’s catalogue record, where you can find details.

If you would like to suggest a book for purchase, please email Katharine.