SETU Libraries Research Essentials

SETU Libraries are offering a series of research skills sessions for all SETU research postgraduates starting in March 2025.

In order to reach as many students as possible the sessions will be delivered online via Zoom and in person on both Carlow and Waterford campuses. 

Booking will be required beforehand and the booking links are available below.

All SETU research postgraduates are welcome to sign up for any of the sessions regardless of location, please choose the option that suits you best.

SETU Libraries fully respects your right to privacy and we only request necessary information. This information will be kept strictly confidential and is only used in organising library training. See privacy statements for SETU and Microsoft. 

Find out more about the databases available to you at SETU Libraries. From subject specific to multi-subject they are available on the library website and accessible with your SETU username and password on and off campus 24/7.

This introductory session will cover:

• Which databases are most relevant for your subject area
• How to search effectively using keywords, advanced search, search history and refine search features
• Generating individual citations from databases / exporting large number of references to reference management software
• Benefits of personalisation options on databases
• A-Z publication search 
• Options when you can't find the full text of the article you need

Scopus and Web of Science are tools for students, researchers and academic staff who need access to the latest relevant research.

They are large curated abstract and citation databases of peer-reviewed literature, covering research topics across all scientific and technical disciplines, ranging from medicine and social sciences to arts and humanities. 

This introductory session will cover:

• Conducting in-depth literature searches and find relevant information 
• Using the personalisation features of Scopus and Web of Science
• Finding the main journals and most prolific authors in your area of interest 
• Author profiles 
• Using bibliometrics - Journal, Author and Article level metrics 

EndNote 21 is reference management software which allows students and staff to create their own database or 'library' of references. 

These references can be then quickly and easily inserted into research papers.

All students and staff of SETU have access to EndNote 21 which is one of the most powerful reference management tools available.

This introductory session will cover:

• Creating an EndNote library​
• ​Adding References to your library manually​
• Exporting  Reference files from library databases ​
• Importing PDFs/Finding Full Text​
• ​Organising Your References with Groups​
• Setting a reference style​
• ​Using EndNote in Word: Cite While you Write

Ebooks are available online 24/7 and can be accessed on or off campus with your student username and password on your laptop, computer, phone, eReader​ or tablet.

Ebook Central is the largest collection of ebooks with over 240,000 titles.

This introductory session will cover:

• Adding ebooks to your virtual bookshelf in Ebook Central
• Highlighting text, making notes on your ebook
• Search and Browse features 
• How to access additional smaller ebook collections 

Open Research is a fresh approach to the research process that transcends some of its key problems. It's the idea that knowledge and the processes that generate it should be made universally accessible. Open Research also embodies an aspiration to encourage and reward the many different ways in which people contribute to the research process. Research has traditionally been assessed using metrics derivived from journal citation counts, which is quite one-dimensional.

Digital technologies, in particular, have made it possible to measure more aspects of research impact, enable collaboration, and to increase dissemination. The gap between what digital technologies make possible and what is practised in research has grown very wide. The open research movement seeks to close that gap.

Open research is backed by policy and large amounts of funding across the EU, and globally. It is also supported nationally by the National Open Research Forum, and all the major national funders.

In today’s evolving research landscape, visibility and impact are crucial to academic success. This session provides an essential guide to bibliometrics—the study of publication and citation patterns—and how these metrics contribute to research assessment.

We will explore traditional citation-based indicators such as impact factors, h-index, and citation counts, alongside newer approaches like alternative metrics (Altmetrics) that track engagement beyond academic citations, including social media mentions and policy influence.

By the end of this session, research staff and students will gain insights into:

• The importance of research visibility and dissemination strategies
• How bibliometric indicators are used in research evaluation
• The strengths and limitations of different metrics
• Ways to enhance personal and institutional research impact

By attending, you will gain valuable insights and practical tools to strategically enhance your research profile, making your work more discoverable, influential, and impactful within academia and beyond.

ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a powerful tool that ensures researchers are accurately recognized for their scholarly contributions. This session highlights the key benefits of using ORCID to enhance your research profile, visibility, and impact.

Key benefits of using ORCID:

• Ensures correct attribution of your work, distinguishing you from other researchers
• Streamlines the management of your publications, grants, and professional activities
• Facilitates integration with major funding and publishing systems, saving you time and effort
• Enhances your discoverability and visibility to collaborators, institutions, and funders
• Supports accurate and comprehensive reporting of your research achievements

Join this session to learn how ORCID can amplify your academic presence and ensure the broadest possible recognition of your research activities.