Courses and lectures by the University Library

This course provides an opportunity for new students and staff to get acquainted with their library and the resources and support it can offer. It includes an introduction to our websites and how to navigate the collections using the search portal Oria, as well as search systems that are particularly relevant to the academic discipline. Depending on the timeframe and needs, there may also be an introduction to basic search methodology. 

Learning outcomes: 

• Familiarity with and use of the library's search system
• Ability to navigate and utilize the library's collections
• Knowledge of where to find relevant databases for one's field
• Understanding of different formats for academic literature
• Knowledge of how to access literature resources that are behind paywalls 

The content of these courses is aimed at students or staff who need to conduct searches for academic literature related to a topic or research question. Two levels are presented, distinguishing between basic and advanced, but generally, the content and scope of the courses will be adapted to the level of the written work and the academic discipline. The courses are conducted by university or senior librarians with in-depth knowledge of the relevant databases and other search sources in the academic disciplines. 

Level 1: Introduction to Academic Searching 

This course introduces students to academic search sources. It covers the most basic search methods necessary for finding relevant literature and how to develop a simple search strategy. Students will be introduced to at least one database that is relevant to their discipline, and how to apply the search strategy in practice. Additionally, the course covers some supplementary search methods, such as citation searches related to relevant sources. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Know where to find relevant databases for one’s field 
• Familiar with the content of the databases, and understand how it is structured
• Familiar with basic search techniques
• Able to build a simple search strategy and implement it in a search tool
• Able to refine search results, filter out and save references, and find access to full text 

Level 2: Systematic Searching 

The content of this course is aimed at students or staff who need to conduct more systematic searches for academic literature to investigate a research question related to a student assignment, doctoral dissertation, article, etc. 

The course will cover databases relevant to the discipline, what they contain, and how they are structured. Furthermore, the course will review how to develop search strategies tailored to the databases, using a range of different types of search operators, searches with controlled vocabulary where applicable, and advanced search filters. It is advisable and recommended that the course also includes a practical component where participants can conduct guided searches for their own assignment or project. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Knowledge of databases within the relevant discipline 
• Have knowledge of systematic searching as a method for data collection 
• Able to develop advanced search strategies for systematic searches related to different research questions and implement them in relevant databases 
• Able to save and edit searches, and export search results
• Detailed knowledge of what elements should be included in the documentation of search methodology 

The course Digital Source Literacy (DIGI101) is part of UiB's course package in digital skills (DIGI). It is recommended that all new students take the course. Registration is done through Studentweb. 

Source Use and Source Evaluation 

The course will explore various types of sources and familiarize students with the most common formats for scientific publications within their academic discipline. The goal is to equip students with knowledge and skills to evaluate sources, enabling them to select relevant, high-quality sources. The course will also increase students' awareness of scientific publications as building blocks in their own writing. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Understand why good use of sources are important 
• Know about the types of sources commonly used in academic texts within their discipline 
• Know the criteria used to assess whether sources are reliable and relevant 
• Understand what distinguishes scientific publications from other source types, and what peer review entails 
• Know the principles for how sources are cited
• Able to see the connection between good source use and the quality of one’s own written work 

Referencing 

The course will also provide students with the skills to document sources through citations and reference lists according to the standards within their discipline. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Understand why it is necessary with source referencing 
• Know the difference and relationship between citations and references 
• Know what a reference style is, and which are commonly used within their discipline 
• Know how a reference is structured, and how to reference the most common source types 
• Able to insert citations in text and create a reference list
• Familiar with recommended resources for the relevant reference style 

Open courses and instruction are offered on various reference management tools (EndNote, Zotero, and BibTeX). Check the University Library's calendar for an overview of upcoming courses. Which application/software the students should use depends on the type of assignment and the software they use for writing. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Familiar with the interface of the relevant reference tool 
• Know how to create reference collections 
• Know how to collect references 
• Know how to edit collected references 
• Know how to select the correct reference style
• Know how to use collected references in writing 

The University Library has its own website with information and user guides for EndNote and other reference management tools. 

Research data is a central part of value creation in research. The content of these courses will target students or staff who either generate or reuse research data in their work. We therefore offer various courses based on these needs.

Introduction to finding and reusing research data

The content here is aimed at students and PhD candidates who will reuse others' research data.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know what defines research data
• Know where to search for relevant research data within the specific field
• Understand the guidelines for reusing others' data

Introduction to data management in research projects

The content is aimed at students and PhD candidates who with to become familiar with relevant resources and establish good data management routines in a research project.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what constitutes research data in your field
• Familiar with rules for responsible data storage and backup
• Able to apply basic principles for data organization and documentation

Introduction to managing and making research data accessible

The content is aimed at students and PhD candidates who generate research data and need to make it accessible.

Learning Outcomes:

• Know what defines research data
• Familiar with the FAIR principles, and be able to apply the FAIR principles to preserve and/or share own data
• Familiar with various archives for research data

Introduction to Data Management Plans

The content is directed at students and PhD candidates who need to write a data management plan.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand what a data management plan is and what it should contain
• Familiar with various data management tools
• Able to develop own data management plan 

Other Resources

• The University Library offers a separate seminar series on open science, where both students and staff can register for our webinars.
• Websites: Open Access to Research Data and Data Management Plans.

The special collections contain materials that differ from those found in the University Library's open shelves. Here you will find historical photographs, antiquarian documents, archives related to academic and research history, LGBTQ+ stories, a New Norwegian word bank, and much more. The collections are a treasure trove for research, communication, and paper writing. The special collections consist of the Manuscript and Library Collection, the Picture Collection, the Queer Archive, and the Language Collections. 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Familiarity with a selection of UiB's primary sources 
• Knowledge of one or more of the subject areas such as queer history, photo history, language work, book history, and manuscript studies 
• Insight into methods related to various forms of archival work 
• Understanding the materiality of different primary sources