Top tips for studying at home

 

It can be hard adjusting to the new normal, studying at home when you are used to coming into college and seeing your friends, having to get to grips with new technology and new ways of working and meeting with people. Here are some of our top tips to help you survive during this time. 

1. Give yourself regular breaks: It can be quite easy to get engrossed in work and then realise 2 or 3 hours have passed, so make sure you give yourself regular breaks to recharge. You also need to take regular breaks from the screen, 5-10 minutes every hour is recommended (https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/work-routine.htm#:~:text=Take%20short%20breaks%20often%2C%20rather,meetings%20or%20making%20phone%20calls.) as too much screen time can damage your eyesight. 

2. Be kind to yourself: you may have other demands at home, which may not have been present whilst you were in college, just take things one step at a time. 

3. Engage in your online lessons as you would in person: turn on your camera, take an active part in the discussion as if you were in the classroom. 

4. Keep in regular contact with your tutor: although you may be self isolating, don’t virtually isolate yourself, make sure you keep in contact with your tutor, if you have any worries or concerns or even just to let them know how you are getting on. 

5. Try to have a separate work space: If you are able, then organise a separate working area at home, that is for working only and make sure when you are taking breaks, that you move away from this area.

Also, don’t forget we have our click and collect and select and collect services (https://sites.google.com/peterborough.ac.uk/lrc/lrc-home ) which can help you access the books you need. We also have access to a wide range of databases to help with your studies. For further help, you can email lrc@peterborough.ac.uk or we have our online chat facility, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 12-2pm, go to Google chat and search for LRC to talk to a librarian.

(https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sleepy_Cartoon_Woman_Working_From_Home.svg )

Online Library Resources in Lockdown

Though we are in a second lockdown, students at Peterborough College and University Centre Peterborough can still access online Library Resources, which include databases and ebooks. 

Studying at home.

Peterborough College

Students at Peterborough College can access the library webpages through the Student Intranet, by selecting the 'Information' tab, scrolling down to 'Peterborough Information', choosing 'Learning Resource Centre', followed by the 'Electronic Resources' link.  Please login with your Peterborough College network login where prompted to access these resources.

UCP

UCP students (Level 4, 5 & Level 6 top up) can access online resources by clicking on 'Library Resources' on the left hand menu in Canvas. Please login using your UCP login where prompted. Level 6 students are able to use the ARU Digital Library, using your ARU login.

Online Resources

Online resources are a reliable alternative source of information, providing statistics and images to help you with your course. Resources which you can access: 

eBooks (Ebook Central, VLebooks and Issues)

eJournals (Sage, Academic OneFile & Wiley)

Anatomy (Anatomy TV)

Archaeology (Current Archaeology)

Business (Gale, Mintel)

Catalogues of Research & National libraries (Copac)

Current affairs (Issues)

Education & child care & safeguarding (Childlink, Child protection, Safeguarding Adults at Risk, Education & Childcare training tool)

Fashion photography (Vogue archive)

Jobs (eClips)

Maps (Digimap)

Newspaper articles (Gale)

Population (Histpop) 

Professional Journals (Professional Development Collection)

Sport (SportDiscus)

Training Tools (Health & Social Care, and IT)

Tutorials (Hairdressing and Construction)

UCP students have access to these and further databases.

Ebooks

Through Ebook Central, VLebooks and Issues you will have access to the Peterborough College ebook collection made up of ebooks which we have brought to link in with your course.  You can also access ebooks through the online library catalogue.

Books

You can also reserve books from the Learning Resource Centre, via our Click & Collect and Select & Collect services.  For more information please view the Blog posted on 30th October or the Library Webpages.

Contact us

If you need help with research or accessing online resources, please email the Learning Resource Centre team at lrc@peterborough.ac.uk or to sign into the LRC Google Chat Monday - Wednesday, 12-2pm.

How to reserve books from the Learning Resource Centre (Library).

How can I reserve a book(s) from the Learning Resource Centre (Library)?

At the moment you are not be able to browse any of the bookshelves in the Learning Resource Centre (Library). If you would like to borrow a book from the library you can reserve a book(s) by using our ‘Click and Collect’ or ‘Select and Collect’ services. 

Click and Collect

Choose Click and Collect if you know which book you would like to order.

To Click and Collect, you will need a pin number, please email the Learning Resource Centre (Library) team, lrc@peterborough.ac.uk if you need to set up a pin number or if your pin needs resetting. Use the Learning Resource Centre (Library), catalogue to reserve a book. 

Select and Collect

Select and Collect can be used when you would like to request a selection of books around a subject, genre, or author.

To place an order, please use our online form. We will use the information that you provide to choose a selection of books.

How can I access the Library Catalogue and Select & Collect Reservation form? 

Peterborough College Students please use the links via the Student Intranet Learning Resource Centre (Library) webpages.

University Centre Peterborough students please use the Library links via your reading lists.

There are also useful guides in the LRC Google Classroom that will show you step by step instructions how to reserve a book.

 

What should I read next?

If you would like ideas about what to read next Peterborough College students can view our NEW online library displays via the Student Intranet, Learning Resource (Library) webpages, this month we have been featuring our Black History Month display, next month we will be promoting our Dare to be scared, Movember and Remembrance displays. 

If you would like to read any of the books featured in the displays either email lrc@peterborough.ac.uk or reserve the book(s) that you would like to read through Click and Collect. 

Dare to be scared

Movember

Remembrance

How can I contact the Learning Resource Centre (Library) Team?

If you need any help or assistance from the Learning Resource Centre (Library) Team please email lrc@peterborough.ac.uk or contact the team Monday - Wednesday, 12pm - 2pm via LRC Google Chat.

Black History Month in the Learning Resource Centre, (Library)

 Black History Month

The month of October is Black History Month in the UK. Black History Month provides an opportunity not only to celebrate achievements but also offers a chance to raise awareness of the events from history and identifying lessons which can be learned from the past. 

In the Learning, Resource Centre, (Library), we are celebrating though a display of fantastic fiction and non-fiction books which are available to borrow from the library.

Black History Month Display in the Learning, Resource Centre, (Library).

At this time you cannot browse books in the Learning Resource Centre, (Library), you can request books. If you are a student at Peterborough College or University Centre Peterborough and you would like to read one of the books on our Black History Month display, please email: lrc@peterborough.ac.uk letting us know which book(s) you would like to borrow.

Books on display

Half of a yellow sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie 

Natives Race & Class in the Ruins of Empire by Akala

Noughts & Crosses series by Malorie Blackman

Clear light of day by Anita Desai 

Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Love in a headscarf by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed 

Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman

Small Island by Andrea Levy

Long walk to freedom by Nelson Mandela

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

12 years a slave by Solomon Northup

Becoming by Michelle Obama

The god of small things by Arundhati Roy

The boy with the topknot by Sathnam Sanghera

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Anita and Me by Meera Syal

The hate u give by Angie Thomas

Face by Benjamin Zephaniah

#BlackHistoryMonth

Virtual Tourist Attractions

Virtual tourist destinations to visit this half term

With Half Term approaching I thought that I would look at some of the places which you could virtually visit whilst tourist destinations are still in lockdown.

City tours

Take a day trip to the cities of London: https://360.visitlondon.com/# Edinburgh: https://edinburghtourist.co.uk/virtual-tours/ or Paris: https://en.parisinfo.com/what-to-do-in-paris/info/guides/virtual-visit-paris with these virtual guides.

Museums and Galleries

Explore, Museums, art and architecture from around the world: https://artsandculture.google.com/

Visit The British Museum galleries & collection, the British Museums blog has links and tips for exploring the museum from your own home: https://blog.britishmuseum.org/how-to-explore-the-british-museum-from-home/

Via The Natural History Museum virtual pages you can not only take a virtual self-guided tour, but you can also find out more about my favourite exhibit in the Museum, Hope, Blue Whale: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/virtual-museum.html

Take a look around the fascinating Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where you might spot exhibits used in the film Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: https://naturalhistory2.si.edu/vt3/NMNH/

You can take 3 virtual tours around the National Gallery, I like to visit Room 43, as Monet’s The Water-Lilly Pond takes my breath away every time I see it: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours

At the Tate Modern you can view the Turner collection, see the work of sculptor Henry Moore and view British artwork from 1545 to the present day: https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain#getting-here (Select online displays).

Remember to stop for coffee.

Places to Visit

The Buckingham Palace virtual tour allows you to look around the Grand Staircase, White Drawing Room and the Throne Room: https://www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-buckingham-palace

Take a 360 tour around the grounds of the Tower of London as a voice over tells you about the Towers history: https://www.youvisit.com/tour/meadk  Hampton Court Palace should be next on your list, you can look around the Great Hall, Watching Chamber and end your tour in the kitchens: https://in360degrees.co.uk/indie360/HamptonCourt/

If you have you ever wondered about the different rooms which make up the Houses of Parliament take this 360 tour: http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/virtualtour/ after that you may like to have a look inside 10 Downing Street: https://www.eyerevolution.co.uk/blog/get-inside-10-downing-street/

This 360 tour of the Vatican Museums is well worth a virtual visit: http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html

Visit the Royal Opera House where you can see performances of Ballet & Opera:
https://www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/all

Whilst the Aquarium and Zoos are closed you can still see the animals via a variety of Webcams and live streams:

London Zoo: https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/virtual-london-zoo

Chester Zoo: https://www.chesterzoo.org/

View the Panda cam at Atlanta Zoo: https://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/

Houston Zoo Webcams: https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/

Monterey Bay Aquarium webcams: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

Aquarium of the pacific: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/webcams

Harry Potter Exhibition

Finally if you are a fan of Harry Potter and you missed the British Library 2017 – 2018 Harry Potter Exhibition: https://artsandculture.google.com/project/harry-potter-a-history-of-magic?dm_i=5JXV%2C178Q%2C6XNPO%2C4C53%2C1&fbclid=IwAR1mFx41mrbH76jQM6SIeK0WW9tP8FMuyHjUfRjHPZ3WQUvLmOPchMQO5sE

Whatever you do or wherever you virtually go may I wish you a good Bank Holiday weekend and Half Term Holiday.

Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic. No.6 Research builds on earlier research so remember to reference.

Research and referencing

Have you heard the story of how Pythagoras came up with his new theorem while bathing and jumped out of the bath crying "Eureka"? (See the start of the TED-Ed video below if you want to hear the story).

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that it worked like that and neither does any research and discovery which is carried out today. It is thought Pythagoras travelled widely and is highly likely to have been influenced by the architecture and construction work in places like Egypt and Babylon where he would have seen the principle working in practice. He may have been the first to prove it, however.

Research always builds on earlier research.. Scientists won't suddenly just come up with a treatment or vaccine for Covid-19 by sitting on a beach somewhere waiting for inspiration, they will be using previous research on subjects like viruses (especially Coronaviruses), the human immune system, DNA and what was done in previous pandemics for example, as well as testing new vaccines. The idea of using the blood from someone (full text is available on Gale Infotrac/ FE News) who has recovered from Covid-19 and giving it to someone who has the disease was tried in the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 when they did not have a vaccine. The Covid-19 scientists may have been using some trial and error with this idea too but the idea was based on something that worked in the past. Scientists are currently sharing information regularly and if you look at any of the Covid-19 research sites (e.g. Cambridge Fighting COVID website and the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium) you will see academics quoting and referring to other scientists' work as well as talking about the work they are doing themselves. They show how they have used previous research and other researchers' work.

How is this relevant to my research?

• It is always good academic practice to cite in text and reference everything you read and refer to in your assignments or presentations. Not to do this is plagiarism.
• Referencing shows you have read widely and if you show how it backs up your conclusions, your arguments are more likely to be objective and credible.
• References help someone reading your work follow the research back and give them other places to go for their research (just as you can use references in an author's bibliography for research).
• Your lecturer may disagree with your point of view but if you can show where you have found your information you are unlikely to be marked down.
• Referencing saves you copying and pasting large swathes of text (and going over your word count!) into your assignment as you can refer to some research, cite it and just summarise the relevant points in your own words. (Those who want to know more can check using the reference).
• Cite the author and year of publication throughout your assignment and then the full reference at the end (listed in alphabetical order by author).
• ARU and UCP use the Harvard referencing system and their website has examples for all sorts of resources you may use.
• The LRC has a referencing tutorial with quizzes you can do in the How do I? section of the LRC web pages on the Student Portal.

Learning about research and information in the Covid-19 pandemic. No.5 Finding and using statistics

Finding and using statistics

During the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have been watching the daily briefing from the government and a regular part of this has been reporting on the number of cases and deaths as well as displaying a number of graphs.

Statistics (or data) are more than just numbers and have been used to predict the need for more hospital provision, PPE, to look for the peak of the infection, the "flattening of the curve" and to inform government decisions about social distancing, for example. We've seen they can tell a story, they can help us understand what is happening, they can show trends and inform theories.

Statistics however, are just numbers without context. The number of Covid deaths, though large and too many (especially for those directly affected), on their own mean nothing unless you can compare this to the normal expected death rate last year, for example. We also need to know what is being counted. Only recently have care home deaths been included in the figures.

Statistics have been used to compare and contrast. We have been able to see the UK death rate in comparison to other countries. They meant decision-makers drew similarities between the UK and Italy for example at the beginning of the epidemic. However, at the same time, statistics are to be viewed with caution. No one will truly understand what the statistics mean until the pandemic is over and lessons can be learned. Statistics ideally should be viewed with some analysis.

In the video below from the BC's Andrew Marr Show, Professor David Spiegelhalter (an expert) talks about the whole complex issue of using statistics during the Coronavirus crisis and why numbers on their own aren't always helpful. Also, he discusses how statistics can be used to help measure risk and put things in perspective.


(

Using statistics in your research and assignments.

• Statistics are great sources to use for showing the scale of a problem or issue you are writing about and to make comparisons. Use them to show trends over time and predictions.
• Make sure you get your statistics from reputable sources. ONS (Office of National Statistics) collate a lot of information and make it available on their website. Specialist organisations e.g. charities also collect data on their particular area of expertise.
• It is worth checking what the numbers mean.  What definition was used to identify what was counted? For example, Mintel (a marketing database UCP students can access) uses information from MORI polls and outlines this on the website. 
• UCP students also have access to a database called Statista. By using this resource you know the statistics have come from reputable sources. Analysis is provided too and it has a section devoted to directing users to publications and websites where they can find statistics online for free.
• If you have a lot of data, try to present it in a graph or pie chart. Visual representation usually means more to the reader (and uses less words!). Try different types until you find the one which makes your point best.
• Always show where you have got your statistics from (i.e. reference).
• Be aware that people with an agenda may use and even manipulate statistics  to bolster their argument. Think critically as you read.
• Be wary of making statistics say what you want them to say - unless they really do. 

LRC Lockdown Book Review Competition

Book Review Competition 

We are running a Book Review competition to see what PRC & UCP students have been reading during Lockdown. The prize for the best review, as judged by the LRC team, is a £10 Waterstones voucher; runners up will receive a book & book bag.

To enter students should email the LRC: lrc@peterborough.ac.uk with their book review, which can be written, drawn, photographed or videoed. Last date for entries is 31st May.

What have you been reading during Lockdown?

Tips for writing book reviews:

Writing a book review for the first time can be rather a daunting task. Try to imagine whilst you are writing that you are talking to a friend, who is asking you whether or not they should read the book.

Booktrust, UK based Reading Charity, asked Author Luisa Plaja, to share her top tips on how to review a book. 

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/tips-and-advice/writing-tips/writing-tips-for-teens/how-to-write-a-book-review/

Whilst Book Riot, an independent editorial book site in America, recommended 6 steps to writing a book review.

https://bookriot.com/2019/02/14/how-to-write-a-book-review/

To enter the LRC Lockdown Book Review competition, we are happy for you to choose how you would like to review your book. If a written book review is not for you, how about:

Creating a piece of art inspired by the book that you have read, illustrating how the book made you feel.

Sending in a photo review, using props or your family members to act out the plot and to show your favourite scenes.

Or you might like to send in a video of your review.

Ultimately however you decide to review your book, we are looking forward to receiving your entries and seeing which books you have been reading.

Learning about research and information during the Covid-19 pandemic No.4 Avoid fake news, conspiracy theories and misinformation - evaluate!

Evaluate your information sources

The World Health Organisation has called the recent spread of false information an "infodemic" that is "spreading faster than the virus". There have been claims of 5G causing the virus, that it can be cured by eating bat soup, claims that the virus was manufactured in a lab in Wuhan and even the US president himself is reported to have suggested injecting disinfectant (although he says this was taken out of context).

This isn't anything new - Samuel Pepys in his diaries at the time of the Great Plague (1665-6) wrote about different rumours spreading and he himself was frightened to wear a wig in case it spread infection as these were made from the hair of plague victims.

We have posted previous posts about Fake News and although it is particularly an online phenomena, all resources should be evaluated. The tabloids, for example, are published, edited and available in print, but a lot of the information they report cannot necessarily be trusted.

Have a look at this BBC video to understand how misinformation spreads and how to stop it.

How does this relate to student research?

• When doing research, check your sources. You are looking mainly to use academic resources which are of good quality and written by experts. Opinions may vary but they are formed by people who know their subject.
• Library online databases are collections of articles and resources which come from reputable sources. Start here and you will avoid the rubbish.
• When using the web, look at who has written the information and which organisation the website represents (and are they credible? do they have a particular agenda?).
• If using social media, look for the tick to be sure you are reading the official feed or account. Also does it trace back to a trusted website?
• Where possible validate a theory or fact by finding it in more than one source. If someone quotes someone else, find the original source if you can.
• Also remember though that public perception and rumours are a valid aspect of any issue too. (Revolutions have started fuelled by such things). You may refer to fake news and conspiracy theories, for example, but you will need to explain them and remain objective.

Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic. No.3. Find the experts

Find the experts

Part of being a student is realising what you don't know, identifying what you need to know and who the best people/ authors are to learn from.

Throughout the pandemic, governments have been meeting with and taking advice from scientific experts. In the UK, at the daily Covid briefings, the representative from the Government will field medical questions, for example, to the Chief Medical Officer as he is the expert who knows about infectious diseases. Did you know that the Government even has a Database of Experts specifically for the Covid -19 pandemic? The Guardian ran an article on the 22nd March introducing the different experts advising governments around the world (if you can't see it all online search for it in our Gale FE News database). They may not be famous celebrities, but they are well-known within their field and are perhaps only now coming to the general public's attention.

However, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't use our brains. All of us and especially students need to exercise critical thinking. As we hear from the experts, we need to think about what they say. Different experts will have different opinions on the same information. They may come with bias, they may be influenced by something in their background or personality. Their subject of expertise will affect how they see something. They are still experts because they have built up a lot of knowledge/ experience in their field, but their opinion is theirs and others will differ. This is why it is best academic practice to read and use a range of experts. The government isn't consulting with just one expert about Covid-19, they are taking advice from a number and therein lies the power as all their expertise is harnessed to try and solve the problem of Covid-19.

The TED talk below discusses the use of experts in a wider context and suggests that in life it's sometimes you might not want to rely on the experts.

Finding the experts in your area of study

Like the government, you will need to go and find some credible authors who know and write about your topic.  For the expert database, Parliament are asking experts to upload their credentials so they can check them. As a student you may need to do similar checks.

Recognising the experts

• When looking for literature on your subject, you might notice that there are author names which come up a lot. They may have been mentioned by your lecturer.
• You may find certain names and works cited a lot within the literature. 
• If you search Google Scholar, you will find some authors' works are cited more often than others.
• You may find certain authors and their works listed in bibliographies at the end of useful articles and books. 
• Experts will refer to other experts they respect (even if they don't agree).

How do I test?

• Look at the blurb on the back of a book or within the book under an author profile.
• Where does the expert work? Expert academics and researchers will usually work or be linked to a University or research institute. Alternatively, they may have had a long career within a particular field.
• What projects have they worked on?
• What qualifications do they have?
• Have they written any books and have they been published by a well-known publisher?
• Do they contribute to journals?
• Are they a key member of any professional or official organisations?
• Do they have a Twitter account and if so who is following them? Do other key people mention them?
• Not all key authors will still be alive, but others may still refer often to their work.

Finally, remember that when you search the databases provided by your library service you know that the content available has been through some sort of selection process. You can also usually check if  articles have been peer-reviewed which means they have been reviewed by other experts.
Use the best information from the experts for your assignments, think/write critically about what they say and you are steps closer to getting a good degree/ qualification.

Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic. No.2. The most current information is found online.

For the most current and up-to-date information, look online.

While books and journals are useful and valuable for background reading, they are not the best resources for keeping up to date where new discoveries are being made and communicated everyday as is the case with the fight against the Covid-19 virus.

The last few weeks have seen universities and research institutes create new websites, twitter feeds and blogs to help share information as quickly as possible so others working on the virus can benefit from what they have learned. Together by sharing information they hope to build on each other's research and create tests, treatments and vaccines as quickly as possible. They can also be share the information quickly globally. An example of  scientists and academics from different institutions working together in the UK is the COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium. 

The Cambridge Fighting COVID website is sharing information through a weekly update (via zoom and then the recording is made available afterwards). It may be considered by some to be raw and unpolished communication in this form (it is not edited with revisions like a book) but it is current, useful and credible (i.e. provided by the scientists and researchers themselves).

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/covid-19-virus-coronavirus-pandemic-4922384/

How does this apply to student research?

When researching a topic for an assignment, even if you use books and journal articles, it is always useful to refer to the most up to date developments too. Look online for trustworthy websites and social media.

In order to keep up to date whilst pulling together resources for your research, you may want to consider:-

• following key twitter feeds, blogs or Instagram accounts etc. 
• setting up alerts in library/ LRC databases so you are emailed when something new appears in the database on your chosen topic. 
• setting up saved searches you can re- run at intervals to pick up anything new.
  In order to do the last 2 options, you will usually need to set up an account within the database (this may be a further step to your OpenAthens login).

For recent events, newspaper articles and reputable news websites will be the best place to look. Websites like the BBC will even have some analysis on how things are understood at the time as events unfold but be aware time may prove that analysis to be wrong. (A historian would find this useful in itself as evidence of how people were interpreting the events at the time).

Over time more and more research on Covid-19 will probably be published formally in journals and books by the experts involved but I suspect at the moment there isn't time!

Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic -No.1. Primary and secondary research

Learning about research and information from the Covid-19 pandemic

There is lots that can be learned from the current crisis about information in its various forms and how best to do academic research as we experience these strange times. This is the first in a mini series of blog posts which explore some key "lessons" inspired by examples from the current crisis. Not sure how? - well read on......

No. 1 Primary and secondary research

Recently there has been a lot of news footage showing scientists working in labs with test tubes and various bits of machinery. Lab technicians are trying to understand the new virus, how it affects different people, how to test for it, and how to develop a vaccine against it, for example.
These scientists (who are lecturers, students and academics) are carrying out primary research as opposed to secondary research because (to put it simply) they are actually doing the research on the virus themselves- they are not reading what someone else has written about it.

If you look at some of the new academic websites on Covid-19 research you will see that they also refer to journal articles and other resources they have read (quite possibly provided through their institution's library!) - on Coronaviruses or SARS, for example - to help them understand Covid-19.  This is secondary research because they are reading what other writer(s) have previously written up following the primary research they have carried out. The Covid-19 scientists then apply this knowledge when they decide how to carry out their primary research. They in time write up what they discover and this is read by others as secondary research.

Image by Michal Jarmoluk
https://pixabay.com/photos/laboratory-analysis-diagnostics-2815639/

Whilst most of the primary research is focusing on the science at the moment there are also other forms of primary research going on largely through collecting statistics (e.g. cases and deaths) and also through surveys and interviews (e.g. how are people feeling about lockdown? What is the impact on small businesses as a result of the crisis?).

How does this apply to me?
A number of UCP students (e.g. Psychosocial degree students) are about to start their Undergraduate Major Projects and some of them will be carrying out primary research through questionnaires and surveys. However,

• Primary research isn't enough on it's own, it relies on secondary research
• Secondary research is used to introduce and understand the topic- it provides context so you should include this in your project.
• Secondary research will help you formulate the right questions or research process in the first place to get the best results.
• Your secondary research will help throw a light on the results of the primary research and help you to draw conclusions at the end.

Why not follow the example of the Covid-19 scientists? It may not be a matter of life and death for you but it could get you a good grade!

Lockdown with the LRC

Lockdown Reading Group

On Wednesday 1st April, 5 members of the LRC Team came together for the first meeting of the LRC Lockdown Staff Reading Group.

At 2pm we met on a video conference call using Microsoft Teams. The group started with a general catch up, before introducing the books that we would each be reading.

Meet the books:

Lockdown Reading Group Books

Then it was time to read. It was a strange experience at first, reading quietly in your home whilst being able to see your friends reading their books on your tablet / laptop. Soon you got lost in your own story and in no time at all it was time to put your book down and sign off. Afterwards I felt relaxed and looked forward to the next meeting.

Set up your own group

You might like to set up your own Lockdown Reading Group. Or you could join us by sitting down to read a book of your choosing at 2pm every Wednesday for 30 minutes.

We used Microsoft Teams for our Lockdown Reading Group, but you could also use:

• Skype
• FaceTime
• Google Hangouts
• Zoom
• Facebook
• WhatsApp

If you decide to join in, email the LRC and let us know what you or your group members are reading: lrc@peterborough.ac.uk

Thursday 23rd April is World Book Night

On Thursday we will be celebrating Books and Reading by taking part in the Reading Hour between 7-8pm.

To join in simply choose a book / audio book to read / listen to during the hour.  You can do this by yourself, with other members of your household or via a virtual Reading Group.

Why not share what you have been reading by taking a photo and uploading it on social media using #ReadingHour.

Online Resources

Online Resources from the LRC

The LRC may be closed, but you can still access our online resources, which include databases and ebooks.

PRC

Students from PRC can access online resources through the Student Portal, selecting Learning Resource Centre, followed by Electronic Resources.  You will need to login with your PRC network login where prompted.

UCP

UCP students (level 4 & level 6 top up) can access online resources by clicking on Library Resources on the left hand menu in Canvas. You will need to login using your UCP login where prompted. Level 5 & 6 students are able to use the ARU Digital Library, using your ARU login.

Online Resources

Online resources are a reliable alternative source of information, providing statistics and images to help you with your course.

Resources which you can access:

eBooks (Ebook Central & DawsonEra)

eJournals (Sage, Academic OneFile)

Anatomy (Primal Pictures Anatomy & Physiology Online)

Archaeology (Current Archaeology)

Business (Gale)

Catalogues of Research & National libraries (Copac)

Current affairs (Issues)

Education & child care & safeguarding (Childlink, Child protection, Safeguarding Adults at Risk, Education & Childcare training tool)

Fashion photography (Vogue archive)

Jobs (eClips)

Maps (Digimap)

Newspaper articles (Gale)

Population (Histpop)

Training Tools (Health & Social Care, and IT)

Tutorials (Hairdressing and Construction)

UCP students have access to these and further databases.

The following publishers have also temporarily released resources that may be useful. For more information, please refer to the individual publisher’s website.

Pearson ActiveLearn

https://www.pearson.com/uk/forms/fe-ptp-covid19.html

Core textbooks through HN Global

https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/

Bloomsbury Drama Online

https://www.bloomsbury.com/dr/digital-resources/library-resources/covid-19-resources-available-from-bloomsbury/

National Theatre Collection

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/learning/national-theatre-collection/uk-state-funded-schools?queueittoken=e_safetyevent2apr20~q_b5ea3f7e-4196-4470-85ef-220925933c32~ts_1585833536~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_4a8a0f9eedb5bab82e05db59eb954f2acb4627db32ec1a9ed96d544f561fef80

Practice Labs IT lab

https://go.practice-labs.com/l/729263/2020-03-18/25r4p

Britannica resources https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9ch8m8EcwH3u0CGm5C6jq-7PBCubIyERqODuDtevcdqJSkw/viewform

Annual Reviews journals

https://www.annualreviews.org/

British Online Archives

https://microform.digital/boa/

Free Twinkl resources that might be suitable for SEN learners

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/offer

Amazon Audible Stories

https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

City & Guilds SmartScreen e-learning

https://www.cityandguilds.com/covid-19/emergency-learner-support

Ebooks

Ebooks

Through Ebook Central and DawsonEra you will have access to the PRC ebook collection made up of ebooks which we have brought to link in with your course. Until July you will also have access to Ebook Centrals entire ebook holdings, which they have opened up to support home learning during the COVID-19 crisis.

Contact us

If you need help with research or accessing online resources from home, please email the LRC team at lrc@peterborough.ac.uk if you have any enquiries or need support.