Research Ethics - Informed Consent Form

"All social research (whether using surveys, documents, interviews or computer-mediated communication) gives rise to a range of ethical issues around privacy, informed consent, anonymity, secrecy, being truthful and the desirability of the research. It is important, therefore, that you are aware of these issues and how you might respond to them." (Blaxter, et al, 2006, p178)

If you are doing any form of research, then it is imperative that you do (and are seen to - mention this in your Methodology chapter if appropriate) take care to safeguard the health and dignity of those involved in your study.

You must make sure that you take steps to...:

Dissertation Writing Style

There are established rules about the language, grammar and style that should be used in Dissertations or Extended Project at Newcastle College…: 

Calibre e-book Management Software

If you've recently bought an Amazon kindle, Sony e-reader, Kobo or other e-book device, then you may be interested in Calibre.

This software not only lets you search through your collection, enabling you to search for and synch your books; it will also let you...:

• download news and magazine articles from web and rss sources;
• search through online providers to find any book that you want at the cheapest price;
• convert formats (even Kindle) so you are not just restricted to reading books from a certain retailer because of the file format.

Best of all, its all for free. Check out the video below for more information and to see what this package can do, or click here to download the file.

Google Art Project

Here's one for any Art Lovers out there!

We're all familiar with Google Streetview, which allows you to explore city streets across the world. Google have now used the same technology to allow you to tour some of the greatest Art Museums and Galleries across the world for free, and zoom into the most celebrated works of art from History to brush-stroke level.

Click here and soak up all the culture from the comfort of your armchair, without all the hassle of the queues, the admission fee or the gift shop!

Main Library Book Swap

Have you got lots of old books cluttering around at home that you have already read and are unlikely to ever look at again? Fancy exchanging these for some different titles to read instead?

Then get involved in our Book Swap to celebrate World Book Day.

Its simple - all you need to do is...:

1. Between Monday 27th February and Thursday 1st March, drop off your unwanted books at Newcastle College Main Library and exchange these for tokens.
2. From Thursday 1st March 2012, trade in these tokens for other people's books in the collection.

It all starts from Monday, so dig out all your unwanted books this weekend and bring them in for others to enjoy.

For more details, contact libraries@ncl-coll.ac.uk, or ask at any Newcastle College Library branch.

Method-ology in your Project Madness

After your Literature Review, the next major chapter that you need to write in any Dissertation or extended project concerns your Methodology.

In this section you must justify your choice of data collection techniques (eg Questionnaires, Interviews, etc) and outline why/whether you will be applying mostly Quantitative or Qualitative Methods. (Think N for Numbers - techniques that generate statistics, like questionnaires, experiments or observations; L for Letters - techniques that gather people's precise words, such as interviews or focus groups).

"Quantative research aims to show WHAT is happening; Qualitative research, on the other hand, sets out to tell you WHY it is happening." (Moore, 2000, p.121)

To help you get started,

'Racking our 'Frames' (and other Art & Design Magazines)

(by Blackbiscuits on Flickr. Creative Commons)

We've been busy over Reading Week working on the Magazine collection at Newcastle College Art Library.

Evernote

If you end up with lots of random notes or fragments copy-and-pasted from the internet as part of your research, then have difficulty finding or making sense of them again later, Evernote might be a useful tool.

A more detailed video is available here.

Not only does this free software allow you to record your random thoughts (in words or pictures), and to easily capture ideas from any source on the web; it also automatically catalogues them all, complete with a Search Box through which you can efortlessly find them again whenever you need them.

What's more, you can synchronise all the records in the Cloud, meaning you have complete access to all your information from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection, including tablet computers and Smart Phones.

More information and the free download is available from the Evernote website, or you can view tutorials here.

February Reading Week Library Opening Hours 2012

by Wiccked on Flickr. Creative Commons.

Main Library

Monday 13th February : 9.00am - 4.00pm
Tuesday 14th February : 9.00am - 4.00pm
Wednesday 15th February : 9.00am - 4.00pm
Thursday 16th February : 9.00am - 4.00pm
Friday 17th February : 9.00am - 4.00pm

The Art Library and SPACE IT Centre are CLOSED throughout Reading Week. 

Normal hours resume on Monday 20th February

You can return items by posting them through the Main Library Letter Box when we are closed.

Renew items online using the link at the foot of this webpage; by ringing (0191) 200 4020 and leaving a message (including your ID number) on our Answerphone; or by emailing libraries@ncl-coll.ac.uk.

A Valentine's Day Verse

As soon as you find That Special One, then never let them go,

(by elninosincero on Flickr.
Creative Commons)

Feed their soul with your affections, feel the attraction grow.

That Special One will buoy you up with solace, succour, support,

They’ll make you more than you were before, reveal more than you’ve ever been taught.

Whenever you’re feeling uncertain, unsure, can’t see an answer in sight,

That Special One will find the words to make everything seem right.

With That Special One you can be quiet sometimes, take time just for yourself,

But they’re there whenever you need them - you won’t feel like you’re left on the shelf,

They’ll always be there to back you up - to make your convictions more strong,

Or else they can find the very best way to put you right when you’re in the wrong.

Were they gone from your life, you’d be empty, bereft,

As if all the fidelity, feeling and fun had just left.

Sure you’ll have issues along the way, they won’t always have all you need,

But think of all they store inside, you’ll return, faith renewed, doubts recede.

And if you’ve yet to let That Special One in your heart, then go on just take a chance,

You won’t believe the difference they’ll make in your life – they’ll excite, enthral, entrance,

They’ll enchant you, enrich you, enlighten and more….

Eschew your reservations – you’ll not know how you coped before.

Together, your plans, plots and passions will nourish,

Mutual commitment means something potent and vital will flourish.

Love … your Library

by W. B. Yeast

Accessing Our Library 24/7

Don't forget you can access our Online Library Catalogue to renew your loans, reserve library items or browse our collection of resources, even when we are closed.

Just click here, or on the logo at the foot of this blog, then log in with your Newcastle College Student ID number (without the "s").

Plus you have access to thousands of ebooks and ejournals whenever you need them, either using the links on the Research and Study Resources page of the blog, or via Blackboard - just log in, click on the "My Courses" tab, select either "FE Library" or "HE Library" then choose the "e-resources" option on the right.

Harvard Referencing Recap

Here's a quick video recap of the Harvard Referencing system which you need to use in all your assignments at Newcastle College.

Remember, you need to incorporate Author-Date Citations within your work and a Reference List (a list of all the sources that you USED) and/or Bibliography (a list of all the sources that you READ) at the end of your essay, report or dissertation.

More resources to help with Harvard Referencing are available, including more videos, our Harvard Referencing Web-CITE, downloadable guides and links to software that will automatically generate references for you, by clicking the Harvard Referencing link at the top of this blog.

Let's Talk Newcastle

A review of Local Budget Government spending means that there will be considerable cuts to our local public services in the year ahead.

Newcastle Libraries' opening hours are just one example of things that may change from 2012-13 - read about the draft proposals for the council's services here.

You can have your say though!

All the council's plans are open for public consultation until 15th February so click here to share your views and tell them what you think.

INSPIRE-d to Use Other Libraries?

If we don't have what you need in Newcastle College Library, or you would like access to specialist or University libraries, you might be interested in this scheme, which is being promoted by Newcastle City Libraries.

Inspire North East allows individuals access to libraries they would not normally be admitted to, such as specialist or university libraries. Any holder full member of Newcastle City Libraries (ie where proof of address was shown when you joined) may apply for an "Inspire Passport" which should let them in to all of these libraries.

For more information, telephone 0191 2774100 or email: information@newcastle.gov.uk