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Welcome to the Library - International Students: Research Skills

Independent Research

Using library resources is incredibly important. They are a source of high quality and reliable resources that you are expected to use within your studies at University. At University you are expected to conduct independent research and learning, meaning you will need to find materials to refer to to in your assignments yourself. Being able to find these sources is an important academic skill, as is referencing them correctly.

Using reliable information

It is important to use reliable and appropriate information and sources in your research. Your tutors will expect you to use credible information, and the library resources are a great source of reliable and academic information. Some of the benefits are:

  • 📘 Reliable: Trusted sources you can cite
  • 🎓 Academic quality: Written by experts
  • 📚 Free for you: Library resources are not found freely available on Google

More information can be found on our Moodle Page: Develop your critical evaluation skills.

How do I search library resources?

We can help you to develop your independent searching skills to help you find information on your own. Visit our Moodle page: Developing skills to help you search for information. This is useful if you are:

  • Reading to prepare for a lecture or a seminar.
  • Need to find resources for research or an assignment.
  • Looking to go beyond your set reading list.

The importance of referencing

When you have found research to use in your own work it is important that you reference this. 

📌 Always reference when you:

  • Quote someone's exact words
  • Paraphrase their ideas
  • Summarise their research

Failure to do this can lead to accusations of plagiarism. We have lots of support and guidance to ensure that you avoid plagiarism and reference correctly. 

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Royal Holloway Library LibGuide by Royal Holloway Library is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.