Library Skills

Discover and Explore

The Library provides access to a huge range of resources to support your studies. Start searching with Discover@UGM and explore over 200,000 ebooks, a huge selection of online journals and databases, and print book collections at our library sites.

Using Online Resources

You can access the majority of our online Library resources wherever and whenever you want - all you need is your University of UGM username and password. 

Resource Lists Online

Resource Lists Online links you to the essential readings for each module. Look for the link in your Moodle sites or search by module name or number here. Your Resource List gives you access to the recommended e-resources such as ebooks, ejournals and databases directly from your module list.

Subject Guides

Visit your Subject Guide to find the recommended resources for your subject - you'll find details of subject specific databases, journals, websites and more - as well as contact details for the specialist

 

Assessments

Boost - Online Maths Support 24/7

As a University of Greater Manchester student, you have access to Boost, the STEM practice and tutorial platform designed to strengthen your foundational maths skills. Boost offers a range of short tutorial videos and practice questions tailored to support your course success

Maths Support for Nurses

Are you a nursing student looking to boost your confidence with essential maths skills? From drug calculations to dosage conversions, accurate mathematical knowledge is a crucial part of providing safe and effective patient care.

Presentations - Oral

This tutorial shows you how to prepare and deliver a memorable and effective oral presentation.

Presentations - Posters

This tutorial gives you guidance on how to structure an academic poster and suggests software that you could use to produce an effective poster. 

Presentations - Storyboards

This tutorial shows you how to prepare and plan a storyboard presentation. Storyboards are a platform to demonstrate your fantastic knowledge and research in your own individualised and preferred learning styles and presentation.

 

Planning

Goal Setting

By setting, achieving and reflecting on personal development goals, you will be able to make the most of your time at the University of Greater Manchester and realise your full potential.

Making the Most of Year One

Starting University is an exciting time. There are lots of new opportunities and experiences available to you. It is important to make the most of these opportunities both from and academic and social perspective. The tutorial below will outline things to consider to make your first year enjoyable and successful.

Time Management

Managing your time effectively can help you to feel confident and in control of your studies. It can also increase your productivity to ensure you are a successful student. The tutorial below will outline various strategies to manage your time.

Transitioning to Post-Graduate Study

Transitioning to Post-graduate study can seem a big step. The video below contains tips by a Post-graduate student on how to make the transition smoothly and successfully. 

 

 

Writing Techniques 

Academic Writing: English Essentials

Level 1 - It is important that you are able to express yourself using appropriate and correct language. This is particularly true for the formal written English style required for academic writing. Poor grammar, spelling and punctuation in assignments can result in lost marks.

Academic Writing: The Writing Process

Level 2 - Whether you’re new to academic writing, or wish to refresh your knowledge, the Academic Writing section follows an interactive format and is a great chance for you to familiarise yourself with the writing process, together with useful techniques and strategies to help with upcoming assignments.

Critical Thinking

Level 1 - Critical thinking enables you to evaluate information and develop your own academic arguments. It is a key academic skill.This section aims to introduce you to the pivotal role of critical thinking in light of various factors.

How to Strengthen Your Critical Thinking Skills

Critical thinking is not intuitive. Rather, it is a skill cultivated with effort and practice. This tutorial will help you develop your critical thinking skills.

Critical Reading

In this tutorial, you'll explore how to read critically, a skill essential for academic success and professional growth.

How to Ask Better Questions for Critical Thinking

In this tutorial, you'll learn ho to ask better questions that solicit useful information. 

How to Identify Reliable Information

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to identify and use reliable information sources.

Cognitive Bias

In this tutorial you'll explore common cognitive biases, along with tips to detect and combat them.

How to Identify Satire and Fake News

In this tutorial, you’ll learn what satire is and how it differs from “fake news.”

Critical Eye: Your Guide to Analysing and Appraising Sources

In this tutorial, you'll explore key concepts and practical strategies for engaging with your reading materials effectively.

Distinguishing Between Fact From Fiction

In this tutorial, you’ll learn the difference between fact and opinion and get clues to recognise them in context.

Inductive vs. Deductive Reasoning

In this tutorial, you’ll learn what inductive and deductive reasoning are and how they differ. 

Note Making

Level 1 - Good note making skills are essential and will make academic life much easier in lectures, preparing for assignments and revising for exams. You should aim to make notes which not only contain the key points but are also easy to manage and understand when you need to refer to them at a later date. 

Note Making Techniques

Level 2 - There are several different techniques of note making. You may prefer to use different styles in different situations such as lecturers, assignments or brainstorming in group work. This short tutorial illustrates four main styles of note making, linear notes and pattern notes, tabular notes and the Cornell Method.

Proofreading

Developing proofreading techniques is another important skill for any student. We can all read through a piece of work to check for errors, but do we do this systemically? Forming an effective proofreading process that works for you will evolve as you study.

How to reference.

There are several systems available for the citing and referencing. Your tutor will direct you to use a particular one.

  • Art Design; Engineering; Science; and Social Science -  Harvard
  • Psychology -  APA
  • Law -  OSCOLA
Writing for Publication - Why Publish?

Level 1 - This section aims to provide an overview of the process and requirements involved in publishing a dissertation project to an academic journal or publication.

Writing for Publication -Choosing the Right Journal

Level 2 - This section aims to provide you with information on how to select a journal for publication.

Writing for Publication - Preparing and Editing Your Work

Level 3 - In this section you will develop knowledge on how to prepare and edit your work as well as how to submit your final piece.