What is critical thinking?

Find out what some of our academics think in our new youtube video;

This video forms part of the Library's online tutorial Evaluating Information and Critical Thinking.

Check it out and improve your critical thinking powers!

New! Evaluating information and critical thinking tutorial

Are all sources of information equal? Can you believe everything you read on Wikipedia?  Are there cases where Twitter would tell you more than a textbook?

Learning to think critically about what you read, and how to choose the most appropriate information sources for your needs are some of the most important skills you'll learn at University.

We've created an new tutorial to help you ask the right questions about any information you find, to help ensure that your work is based on the best evidence available.

https://librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/shef-only/info_skills/critical_thinking.html

New look 'Information Skills Resource'

We've been busy over the summer updating our webpages, in particular the Informations Skills Resource.

For those unfamiliar with this resource, it contains handy subject specific guidance, helpful resources on how to search effectively using StarPlus - the library catalogue, use databases, write a literature review, and referencing using EndNote.

It also has tutorials relevant to postgraduates and dissertation students, advice about research tools, research data management (RDM), good practice, and scholarship.

Take a look around and see how it can help you with your studies!

*NEW* Online tutorial for Systematic Reviews

The Library has a brand new tutorial available now from the Information Skills Resource .

Getting Started with your Systematic Review: Finding the Evidence will give you all the best advice and guidance you need when embarking on a systematic review, in particular focusing on the literature searching process and helping you to develop your search skills. 

The tutorial covers the key stages involved in a systematic review and offers guidance on the following;

• Defining your research question and using the PICO analysis.
• Constructing a search strategy, including the use of boolean operators and advanced search techniques. 
• Searching for grey literature. 
• Managing your references.
• Critical appraisal and the hierarchy of medicine. 

Check out the tutorial here .  

Effective Internet Searching

The Information Skills tutorial Effective Internet Searching has been completely overhauled and updated, please take a look.

In this tutorial you will:

• Understand in broad terms how search engines work
• Discover what the invisible web is and why it matters
• Try out a selection of handy techniques and tips for quicker, more effective searches
• Learn about other sources of information and when to use them

Effective Internet Searching is just one of a number of tutorials the Library provides through the Information Skills Resource

Access it from the Library tab in MUSE and/or from the Library web home page