Have We Got Reviews For You? A bite-size guide to finding review articles for scoping purposes.

Louise Preston and Mark Clowes were invited to deliver a session on "finding reviews" as part of the "BiteSize" staff training series at ScHARR.   

Our target audience was the busy researcher who wants to do a quick search for scoping purposes; not the systematic reviewer who needs a more rigorous and replicable method (we might need more than 20 minutes to do that justice!)

After dealing with the thorny question of "what is a review?" and highlighting Andrew Booth's excellent typology, we went on to highlight a few of our favourite specialist sites for finding reviews & evidence syntheses; then offered some tips on searching more general sources.    Finally, the session gave us an opportunity to promote the support available from the Information Resources team at ScHARR.

Have We Got Reviews For You? How to do a quick scoping search to find review articles. 
from scharrlib

P.S. We know some readers of this blog are librarians/information specialists - which resources would you highlight if you were asked to present to this audience?

ScHARR Bite Size for Research #27 - Sheffield Healthcare Gateway Support for Commercialisation, Consultancy and Collaboration - 20th June, 2.30pm - Eric Wilkes Room

Posted by Andy

 

The final Bite Size session for this series looks at Sheffield Healthcare Gateway.  The Gateway serves as a single contact point for industry and other external organisations who want to engage with the University through research, contracting or licensing.

Our team of Business Managers are here to liaise with and form partnerships with Industry, and work with Fusion IP to commercialise Faculty intellectual property.  Karen Booth, Gateway Business Manager will give a short presentation and take questions.

ScHARR Bitesize for Teaching #23 Online Marking: Tuesday 12th June, 2.30 Eric Wilkes Room

Posted by Andy

Now that things are returning to normal following the Jubilee celebrations, it's time for us to start thinking about the next Bitesize - hurrah!

Please see below the abstract for Luke's Bitesize session on Tuesday, 12 June 2012 - on Online Marking in the Eric Wilkes room, starting at 2.30pm
Title: "Online Marking: Getting to Grips with GradeMark"

Abstract: This bitesize session will explore Turnitin's online marking tool, GradeMark. The session will include a demonstration of the software from the markers' perspective and a look at how our students use it view their assessment feedback. Also it will involve a tour of some of the tool's new functionality, information on how GradeMark is being supported centrally at this institution and a forward look at what we might expect from GradeMark in terms of future improvements. 

As usual, bring your drink and we'll supply the cakes.

ScHARR Bite Size for Research - Web Conferencing Tools

 Posted by Andy

This week as part of the 50th ScHARR Bite Size session we took the brave step to deliver a session from three different locations using Gooogle Hangouts On Air to look at the various Web Conferencing tools out there. I was joined by Chris Clow from the IC and Graham McElearney joined us in Regent Court on a different floor. Considering who quickly we put this together things went well and technology didn't fail us - which was the main thing. See what you think.

Bite Size is 50!!!! ScHARR Bite Size for Research #26 - Web Conferencing Tools - Location - Cyberspace and Eric Wilkes Room - Thursday 31st May 2.30pm

Posted by Andy

The World is getting smaller, much smaller - in fact there’s no such thing as distance in learning and collaboration any more. Victor Borge once famously said: “A smile is the shortest distance between two people”. That may have always been the case for the real world and now it can be in the online world as well thanks to a multitude of tools and technologies available to us.
Whether it be collaboration, teaching, peer support or just a simple catch up  we now have the technology to do this online with our students and colleagues. The ability for two way communication and the ability to put a face to the voice allows us all to communicate just as if we were in the same office as someone in a different part of the World.
Join Andy Tattersall for this online, interactive session run on Blackboard Collaborate where he  looks at the various options now available in the office, meeting room, lecture theatre or conference hall.
The session will be run remotely in the Eric Wilkes Room, but staff wanting to attend without leaving the comfort of their own office will be encouraged to do so. For those wanting to attend this session whilst sitting at their own desk, can you ensure that you have a headset that will allow you to listen to and possibly interact with the session. A link to the session will be sent out to all staff.  

For more information on what Bite Size is, go to:

https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/bite-size/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oCibJ1MwLXY

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching #24 - IRISS for Staff

 

Posted by Andy

 

This Thursday we host an impromptu ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching to cover the forthcoming IRISS series for Staff.

If you are involved in distance learning, or want to know more about IRISS and what it can do for you - please come along to this informal session where we'll show you more, remove any fears you may have about synchronise distance learning and all of the technologies involved. 

 PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SESSION STARTS AT 3PM.

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching #22 - PhD milestones and Progression, 10th May, Pemberton Lecture Theatre

Posted by Andy

Dear all,

Another week rolls by, and another bitesized hits your inbox. This Thursday Dawn Teare will be talking about Milestones and Progression Targets in the PhD. It will update you on the details of key targets and progression monitoring stages for current PhD students. This will be of interest to current supervisors and those expecting new students to register in the 2012-2013 acdemic session.

As usual, 2.30 start, this time in the Pemberton. You bring your drink and we'll supply the cakes!
See you there.

Bite Size at LILAC 2012

 Posted by Andy

I made the long journey up north to Glasgow to present a poster about our ScHARR Bite Size programme. The poster as like the Bite Size presentation at Internet Librarian International 2011 was well recieved with various academic librarians keen to know more about this effective way of improving staff awareness and development. At the conference which was held at Glasgow Caledonian University was well attended with over 100 international delegates and featured keynotes from:

Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, C.B.E.

Tara Brabazon

Megan Oakleaf

I was only able to catch Lord Puttnam's keynote which was very thought provoking with regards to where we go in terms of using technology to support teaching and learning. I thought of Sir Ken Robinson's delivery and approach very similar to the famous film director and thought we need more people like them - especially when Lord Puttnam said that the Government should clone librarians and information professionals as we had a very important job to do. How right he is.

Here's the abstract from the conference.

Learn something new in 20 minutes: bite-size sessions for research, teaching and collaboration

Andy Tattersall, University of Sheffield, a.tattersall@sheffield.ac.uk
Jenny Freeman, University of Sheffield, j.v.freeman@sheffield.ac.uk
Claire Beecroft, University of Sheffield, c.beecroft@sheffield.ac.uk
Ursula Potgieter, University of Sheffield, u.potgieter@sheffield.ac.uk

Nowadays the environment in universities and other large knowledge organisations is increasingly pressurised with busy staff finding it increasingly difficult to make time for training, even when it might enhance their role and enable them to work more efficiently. We have pioneered an innovative, minimal-cost solution that encourages staff to engage with new technologies that could enhance their potential as researchers and their abilities as lecturers, as well as increase the skills-base of support staff. It is based on one very simple idea, that whilst individuals may not be able to spend hours training, they can spare 20 minutes during the mid-afternoon for a quick coffee break. We give a weekly 20 minute presentation using a variety of technologies such as Prezi, videos and voting tools for interactive demonstrations, along with an optional 10 minutes for questions and discussion. As an added incentive we provide free cakes! The ‘Bite-sized’ sessions have been designed to cover various topics relating to teaching and research practice, with a strong emphasis on web 2.0 and emerging technologies and innovations. Bite-Size actively seeks out sustainable technologies that can address staff needs and solve organisational problems usually for no cost. Topics so far have included Google Docs, social networks, rss, the use of the Social Web to promote research, and the use of electronic voting systems in lectures. The sessions act as both a demonstration and a signpost to further resources- they are very much about planting seeds and ideas.

The poster will explain the key ingredients that make up Bite-Size, the structure and format of the sessions, the content that has been covered to date and the target audience. In addition we will present research that we have undertaken to evaluate the Bite-Size sessions and discuss its future direction including podcasting sessions and new topic areas.

ScHARR Bite Size for Research #24 - What ScHARR Library can do for You! - Helen Buckley Woods & Sonia Rizzo - Wednesday 2nd May 2.30pm

Posted by Andy

Come and find out what your lovely ScHARR Library can do to help you, you'll be suprised by what we have to offer!

ScHARR Bite Size For Research #23 : Google Apps - Thursday 19th April - 2.30 Eric Wilkes Room

Posted by Andy

Please try and come along for what promises to be a very informative whistle stop tour around all things Google.

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching - Wednesday 28th March - 2.30pm, Regent Court - Willy Kitchen - The Academic Skills Hub (TASH)

 

Posted by Andy

Another week, another ScHARR Bitesized. This Wednesday Willy Kitchen from TILL will be talking about The Academic Skills Hub (TASH):

TASH: The Academic Skills Hub - is an online resource for students (and staff) at all levels of study which signposts users to some of the best study skills materials available openly on the web. It is also designed to encourage an independent and reflective attitude to study. With the development of the new 301 Study Skills and Development Centre, TASH is due to take on a new lease of life, and this presentation is intended to introduce you to some of its possibilities.

As usual, the meeting will start at 2.30pm in the Eric Wilkes room, Regent Court, it will last for 20mins followed by up to 10 minutes for questions. Bring a drink and we'll supply the cakes!

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching # 20 - Facilitating Online Discussions - Thursday 15th March - 2.30pm - Pemberton Room

Posted by Andy

ScHARR Bite Size for Research #22 - Wednesday 7th March - Medline

 Posted by Andy

You know what Medline is and you know how to use it, but would you like to find out:
How to find a specific citation quickly
How to set up an alert to run your search for you
How to save and edit your search, without typing it all out again
How to easily add a study filter
Also – what is the difference between Medline and PubMed?
Come along to discover everything you always wanted to know about Medline*
(*but were afraid to ask)

ScHARR Bite Size For Research #21 : REF on the Frontline - February 23rd - 2.30 Pemberton Lecture Room

 Posted by Andy

 

The next ScHARR Bite Size session is this coming Thursday, 23rd February at 2.30 pm.

REF on the Frontline

Andrew Booth (ScHARR's Director of Information)

Hardly a week goes by without some mention of the REF. But what does it mean for the researcher on the frontline? This session will cut through the mountains of guidance to provide Bitesized tips and tricks for REF success. What is a good REF paper? How can I play the citation game? How can I achieve impact? How can I exploit REF for academic success? This session will provide practical demonstrations of successful REF tactics.

This session will be of value to all Academic and Research staff, particularly those Grade 8 or above. 

As always we will provide nice cakes to go with your mid afternoon beverage.

If you want to stay informed about Bite Size - why not add it to your own calendar - simply add scharrbitesize@gmail.com to your list of calendars.

If you want to know what ScHARR Bite Size is - watch this video:  http://vimeo.com/36693909 

If you want to know even more - visit our website: https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/bite-size/

ScHARR Bite Size - The Promo

Posted by Andy

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching #19 - PebblePad - Wednesday 15th February - 2.30pm - Eric Wilkes Room

 

 Posted by Andy

The next ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching #19 is on Wednesday 15th February.

PebblePad

http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/

Sarah Watkinson and Professor Ian Douglas

Eric Wilkes Room

Abstract:

A brief overview of the new PebblePad software from a PGR supervisor's perspective. Students are now expected to keep an electronic e-portfolio, Training Needs Analysis and Development Plan. This session will show you how to view your student's documents and also introduce you to completing supervisory report forms via the software.

As always, there will be Bite Size cakes available :-)

Who is this Bite Size for:

All teaching and teaching support staff.

https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/bite-size/

ScHARR Bite Size For Teaching #18: Interactive Whiteboards - February 2nd - 2.30 Eric Wilkes room

 

Posted by Andy

ScHARR Bite Size for Research #20 Maintaining your Research Grant - 25th January 2012 - 2.30pm - Pemberton Lecture Theatre

Posted by Andy

The first Bite Size for Research in 2012 kicks off with everything you want to know about holding the purse strings for your research project. Presented by Julie Foers from ScHARR Central Resources Group, it will be a great help for research grant budget holders and grant administrators this 20 minute session zips through the key features of the financial
management of your budget.

ScHARR Bite Size for Teaching #17 - How to Become a PhD Supervisor

Posted by Andy

ScHARR Bite Size is Back!!!

 Posted by Andy

 
It's a new year, so why not make a new year's resolution of finding at
least one new way of working, or discover a new resource that will
help you teach, support students or carry out your research.

For anyone unaware of what ScHARR Bite Size is:
https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/bite-size/about-bite-size

Bite Size is for everyone in ScHARR - if you manage a research
project, write a paper, supervise a student, search a database, use
the library, use any of the Google tools, have virtual meetings - then
an investment of 20-30 minutes might be time well spent.

ScHARR Bite Size for Research returns on the 17th January - so what's
happening in 2012?

17-Jan-12               Pemberton                       PhD Supervision                                 Dawn Teare

25-Jan-12               Pemberton                       Maintaining your Research Grant                         Julie Foers

02-Feb-12               Eric Wilkes             Interactive Whiteboards                                         Luke Miller

15-Feb-12               Eric Wilkes             Pebblepad                                               Sara Watkinson/Professor

Ian Douglas

23-Feb-12              Pemberton                        REF                             Andrew Booth

07-Mar-12               Eric Wilkes             Medline                 Helen Buckley Woods

15-Mar-12               Pemberton                       Facilitating Online Discussions                                         Chris Carroll

28-Mar-12               Eric Wilkes             TASH (The Academic Skills Hub for Students

http://www.tash.group.shef.ac.uk/)    Willy Kitchin

19-Apr-12               Eric Wilkes             Google Apps                                     Tom Jenkins

02-May-12               Eric Wilkes             What ScHARR Library Can Do For You                              Helen

Buckley Woods/ Sonia Rizzo

10-May-12               Pemberton                       PhD Supervision  #2                     Dawn Teare

23-May-12               Eric Wilkes             Dissertation Supervision                        Amy Barnes

31-May-12               Eric Wilkes             Web Conferencing Tools                          Andy Tattersall

12-Jun-12               Eric Wilkes             Online Marking                  Janet Harris

20-Jun-12               Eric Wilkes             Sheffield Healthcare Gateway: Support for

Commercialisation, Consultacy and Collaboration    Karen Booth

Plus there are many more sessions planned for Autumn and Winter 2012 -

grey literature, animation tools, facilitating small groups, CINAHL,

Making memorable presentations, creating effective posters, marketing

yourself, Turnitin amongst others.

Stay up to date by subscribing to our calendar - scharrbitesize@gmail.com

There is also a new ScHARR Bite Size website - we hope to add lots of

resources from the many previous Bite Size sessions in the coming

months.

https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/bite-size/home