Spring Dissertation Studies

The worst of the winter is behind us, and spring is almost here! That does, however, mean that you will have assignments to do. Your dissertation hand in date is fast approaching, so the library is here to help. There’s lots of information on our web pages which can help with all your information gathering and writing.

Library Search

We have an extensive book stock, which can be requested using Library Search and many different titles on how to plan and write a dissertation. Books which are not at your home campus can be requested using the Click and Collect service and collected from the Click and Collect shelf at your chosen campus. Library Search also gives access to electronic articles to help with your studies. There are database and journal search functions and facets to allow you to refine your searches by date, format, etc.

Other libraries

If you know there is an item you are interested in looking at and it is available at another university, then the Sconul Access scheme may help. This allows you to borrow books from or have reference access to other university libraries, and applications can be made through the Sconul Access website. It may also be useful to become a member of the National Library of Scotland. With access to millions of print and digital items, it is certainly worth searching here for information, and it is easy to join.

Inter library loans

Unable to access a book or journal article through Library Search? Is it too far to travel to another university? You could try requesting the item from our interlibrary loan service, and we will try to source it from one of our partner libraries. Articles and book chapters are supplied electronically, and print books will be sent to the campus of your choice.

Subject librarians

Taken a look at the Reference Guidelines, but still need some help with referencing? Our subject librarians can assist, and they also have in-depth knowledge of databases and literature reviewing. They have prepared LibGuides for each school, full of useful information and links. Subject guides provide access to subject information by school, and Research guides offer tips on how to develop research and digital information skills.

Training and events

Check out Training and Events calendar to find out if there are any sessions you may find useful.

Opening hours and contacts

Libraries are currently observing term time hours with 24 hour opening at Merchiston campus for those who need a suitable place to work at any time.

To contact your subject librarian or for general library enquiries: My Librarian

Out-of-hours assistance is also provided by the NorMAN service: Out of hours

For general library enquiries and information:

Email: library@napier.ac.uk
Telephone 0131 455 3500
Follow us on Instagram @ENU_Library

Wellbeing

At this time important to take care of your wellbeing as you may be working hard for long periods of time. Creating a work routine and setting achievable goals can help with your work schedule. Make detailed plans and stick to them remembering to take breaks, keep active and eat well and get enough good quality sleep. Here in the library we have several books in our Wellbeing Collection to provide all the information you need to look after yourself ranging from healthy eating to stress management.

Each campus library has a Relaxation Space where you can take some time out if you are working on campus. There are jigsaws and colouring sheets to help you de-stress and our Virtual Relaxation Space can be accessed from outwith the university. It offers links tips on mindfulness, breathing exercises, relaxing music and more!

Sleep

Getting enough quality sleep is also important. Lack of sleep can affect you and some of the consequences of this are:

Irritability
Daytime fatigue
Increased anxiety
Trouble concentrating
Lack of creativity
Negative impact on your overall mental health

Staying awake for 18 hours can have the same effect as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%, which is the same as the Scottish drink drive limit. Staying awake for 24 hours can equate to a BAC of 0.10% which is well over it so for getting off to sleep the following tips are worth considering:

Consistency-try going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time each morning
Make sure your bedroom is quiet and at a comfortable temperature.
Remove electronic devices an hour before you want to sleep.
Exercise during the day.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine or large meals before sleeping.
Structure your day and plan ahead of your exams, assignments and due dates and activities so you don’t end up cramming or working late into the night.

Always remember help is at hand:

For research advice and to contact your subject librarian: Subject Librarian

For help with academic writing and skills: Improve your academic & study skills

For mental wellbeing: Counselling & Mental Wellbeing

We wish all our students the best of luck with their submissions and exams.

By Vivienne Hamilton

Read more on Study Help in our post: Academic skills and study support

Uncovering Hidden Histories: Provenance research internships in the Edward Clark Collection

During July, the University’s Heritage Collections department hosted two student interns whose intrepid research skills greatly helped us to find information about past owners, donors and custodians of the rare books held within the Edward Clark Collection. Here, Natalie Quinn (MSc in Publishing) talks about their experience of their internship.

My Experience as a Special Collections Intern

You might think that completing an internship, alongside writing a 15,000-word Master’s dissertation and working a part-time job, sounds like a crazy idea. You would be right. However, when I saw the opportunity to work with the library’s special collections department to identify provenance marks in books in the Edward Clark Collection, I just couldn’t let that pass me by. Earlier this year, I volunteered at a charity shop to help with the sorting, pricing, and shelving of books. This experience ignited my interest in the journeys that books go on as they pass between owners, and the notes left inside that tell us more about their histories. Therefore, I was immediately attracted to this internship and couldn’t wait to see which little remnants of history I would uncover.

Uncovering Hidden Histories: Provenance research internships in the Edward Clark Collection Book image

[Figure 1: Inscription reading “Henry E. Napier to Lady Augusta Fox, Florence, Sept[embe]r 17^th, 1838. ‘Pochi compagni avrai pepl’altra via; Tanto ti prego piu, gentile spirto, non lafear la magnanima tua impresa.’” (ECC E51).]

This internship has involved me going through many of the books in the Edward Clark Collection, from enormous tomes to the tiniest volumes, and looking at every page to record any evidence of where the book came from and who may have owned it. From something as inconsequential as a leaf pressed between the pages to bookplates and inscriptions bearing the names and dates of the books’ previous owners, these books had so much to reveal. My focus was on books from the nineteenth century, an era in which I am particularly interested, and I really appreciated how I was able to tailor the internship to my own curiosities.

[Figure 2: Inscription reading “J.W. Frampton, from his affectionate father, August 12th 1859” (ECC E68).]

I have gained so much from this internship, from learning that small drawings of hands with a finger pointing to the text, called manicules, were used for centuries in the same way we might use a highlighter to draw attention to important text, to discovering that a different calendar was used in France for twelve years following the French revolution. The latter I discovered from the one word I was able to decipher from a French letter stuck in the back of a book, the owner of which I later uncovered was in Brussels during the Battle of Waterloo and recorded his experiences in his journal.

Uncovering Hidden Histories: Provenance research internships in the Edward Clark Collection

[Figure 3: Letter pasted in the back of the book entitled Napoléon en Prusse: poème épique en douze chants (ECC E3).]

Tag: Dissertation