Other training resources for PhD students

The 21^st-century PhD student has access to a vast array of electronic and online sources, resources and tools for research and research dissemination. The range of opportunities is enormous, but the sheer quantity and variety of information can seem daunting. This year, the LSE’s Centre for Learning Technology and IT Training team are offering a series of courses designed specially for PhD students that can help you to get the best out of what is available. The series will include the following sessions:

• Using the internet for your research

• Designing and developing websites for PhD students

• Designing poster presentations

• Social software: blog it, tag it, share it!

• Format your PhD thesis

All PhD students are also entitled and encouraged to attend training offered to LSE staff. Information and booking information are available by clicking on this link

For details of other training courses designed especially for LSE PhD students, read on....

E-literacy for E-learning Classes

These introductory classes are given by the Centre for Learning Technology and Library staff to help you to become familiar with the wealth of electronic information sources available and to use them effectively. They are only for staff , PhD students and class teachers of LSE. Booking is required.

Methodology Institute Programme (MI512)

In conjunction with the Methodology Institute the Library offers the following courses for research students introducing vital information skills (MI512)

Moodle course for PhD Students: the Library Companion for Researchers

A Moodle course is now available for all PhD students with advice on training and support materials, including topics such as

• Finding and using e-journals, including top tips for all the key databases
• Going 'beyond Google' with your internet searching
• Citing and referencing help
• Using EndNote
• An introduction to the Data Library

You will need to log on with your LSE username and password.

If you are interested in training but unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions please contact Dr Jane Secker who can arrange one to one training as required.

IT Training

IT Services also offer a range of face-to-face workshops and online training resources that you may find useful. PhD students may attend both staff training courses and student workshops.

IT Services publishes nearly 200 IT guides, on subjects ranging from how to handle junk email to using specialist software, such as STATA. All documentation is available online, and is easily accessible via the "one-stop" documentation web page, which enables you to browse by category, or search using keywords.

LSE Library

The Library web pages contain a wealth of information about how to get the best out of Library resources, with sections on the collections and services available and also how to get help. The route for LSE students will link you to the Information Literacy training pages, which give details of classes offered by the library to support all users, from the basics of using the Library Catalogue, to searching journals and other electronic databases, finding data, managing your references using EndNote, and other subject-based classes. Booking is essential but you can book places at these specialized classes on this page.

Your department may have also arranged a session for PhD students with your Liaison Librarian. The Library runs a system of Liaison Librarians to give PhD students a first point of contact and advice. Liaison Librarians can also arrange training sessions for students individually or in groups.

The Library has access to over 17,000 online journals. The Electronic Library gives students access to many online bibliographic databases (including the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences) and online statistical datasets. Your Liaison Librarian will be happy to advise you on online resources for your research.

The Data Library provides a rapidly expanding electronic resource archive along with specialist advice and support from Data Librarian, Luis Martinez, and other Liaison Librarians.

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