List of Support Services
Research Support & Tools | Accounts & Technology Tools | Writing the Dissertation | Dissertation Support |Post Dissertation Completion
Research Support & Tools
Schedule a Consultation With a Librarian
Learn how to do a complete and effective literature review using journal databases, the online catalog, citation databases, Dissertations & Theses database, and more. Find out how to locate statistics online, access full text articles and databases from home, and use bibliographic software such as RefWorks (free account for U.Va. affiliates) used to create a database of articles and automatically generate a bibliography for your dissertation or article in APA style (or any other style you select).
Contact:
 Kay A Buchanan, Education Librarian in Residence, Curry Learning Commons
434.982.2664
kaybuchanan@virginia.edu
 Carole C. Lohman, Librarian in Residence, Curry Learning Commons
434.294.7040
ccl5u@virginia.edu
Students attending classes at the regional centers can also contact:
 Elizabeth Margutti, Coordinator of Library Services,
School of Continuing & Professional Studies
434.294.7410 or 1.800.580.7163
eam@virginia.edu
Securing a Study Carrel in Alderman Library
Curry doctoral students wanting to apply for a study carrel in Alderman Library, please contact Sheila Sprouse at 434.924.0740 or sgs9w@virginia.edu
RefWorks: A Bibliographic Text Manager
You can use RefWorks to create a searchable database of all of the articles, books, book chapters, etc. that you use in your research. You can download multiple citations from a database such as ERIC directly into RefWorks or you can enter citations manually one at a time. Once your citations are in RefWorks, you can click on the  button to determine if you can read the article full text online or if it is available only in print at one of the U.Va. Libraries. If U.Va. doesn't have the journal article you are trying to locate, use the free Interlibrary Loan service to acquire it without cost to you. You can also use RefWorks in conjunction with your WORD program to write papers, dissertations, etc. RefWorks will automatically put your references in APA style (or any other style you select) and create the inline citations. Click here to schedule a consult with a librarian for assistance with RefWorks.
We encourage all of you to learn and use RefWorks right away. If you do, you can start creating a RefWorks database upon which you can draw throughout your time at U.Va. RefWorks is a web-based program that is free for U.Va. students and faculty. Be sure when registering for an account to use your U.Va. e-mail address so RefWorks can authenticate you as a U.Va. affiliated user. We also have RefShare that will allow multiple people to build or use a single database. A great tool for those who work on group projects or with grants! Check out our support page for Refworks and watch the 1 minute tutorial showing how to register for a free RefWorks account. RefWorks citations can be transferred into EndNote or most any other bibliographic software programs and vice versa.
Handbooks
Handbooks are essential resources in the field of education. They usually have an editor and expert authors are ask to write the various chapters. Handbooks are a great resource for verifying the names of authors and people important to the topic. They also include concepts, theories, keywords and an overall state-of-the-art type overview on a topic. After reading a chapter in a handbook, the next logical step is to search databases using the information you found in the handbook. For example, you could search the database, Education Full Text and locate citations and full text articles by authors who were mentioned in the handbook. You could then download the citations into your RefWorks account. Handbooks are located in the Learning Commons on the shelving unit to the right of the Learning Commons entrance. Click here to see a list of handbooks and their call numbers.
Databases
List of All Databases
The library maintains a list of databases by subject, for example Education, Kinesiology, Instructional Technology, Psychology, and Communication Disorders. Visit the List of All Databases for additional subjects.
To access full text journal articles and databases from off-Grounds, you will need to authenticate. To do this, you will need either a VPN: UVaAnywhere client and certificate or a Proxy account. We highly recommend that you get a UVaAnywhere client and certificate as we find that using the Proxy Server account has proven inconsistent.
Journal Finder: Use it to access the full text of a journal in digital or paper format
Use the Journal Finder to ascertain if U.Va. provides access to a journal online full text or in print copy. Type in the name of the journal, for example, Early Childhood Research Quarterly. One or several listings will appear. For example, 2 listings may display, 1) The article is available via the INTERNET and 2) the article is in paper format in one of the U.Va. libraries.
In example one, after you type in the title of the journal, select the INTERNET option. A list of vendors who supply the article will display display. Click the vendor link that would cover the date, volume number and issue number of the journal citation you want. You will be taken to the full text.
If the journal issue you need is not available on the INTERNET, click on the other link for the journal title (in this case, Early Childhood Research Quarterly and determine which U.Va. library has the issue you need. . If U.Va. does not have access to the full text online or the print format, you can submit a request for the item to the Library's Interlibrary Loan service and they will try to obtain it for you without cost to you.
Tests, Scales, Questionnaires, Surveys, Data Sets, Etc.
Information about selecting, acquiring copies, and using databases to find tests or information about reliability and validity of tests and other measurement tools.
http://www.lib.virginia.edu/education/find/tests.html
Researcher Services (RCSC)
The Research Services supports the research activities of U.Va. faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and staff. The Center provides a location where researchers can explore research technologies and receive assistance with specialized hardware and software from Research Computing Support staff. They also distribute over 20 statistical, mathematical, scientific visualization and other academic software packages for use at the University of Virginia and most are available for free.
Curry School students should visit ITC's Research Computing Support Center (RCSC) in Alderman Library's Scholar Lab on the 4th floor, West (Building #1 on the U.Va.. map ) . For example, RCSC staff can answer questions about SPSS (SPSS is available on all public computers in ITC labs and library labs at U.Va.), online surveys, and more.
Institutional Review Board
http://www.virginia.edu/vprgs/irbsbs.html
The Institutional Review Board for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (IRB-SBS) at the University of Virginia is the IRB responsible for reviewing all non-medical behavioral human research (studies which are considered medically non-invasive) for compliance with federally-mandated research guidelines. Dissertation research using human subjects must be IRB compliant.
UPDATE: New forms were posted on the IRB website Sept. 5, 2007. Be sure to use the correct form. Instructions are on the site. http://www.virginia.edu/vprgs/irb/sbs_forms.html
Useful Books
 Title: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
Edition: 5th (2003 printing)
Publication Info: Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, c2001
Call Number: LB2331.72 .F67 1999: Education Reference, Learning Commons
Features: The 5th edition is an essential book for your success as a doctoral candidate. The APA manual has more than sample citations. It includes grammar, correct terminology, how to write titles and abstracts, and formatting requirements.
 Title: Concise Rules of APA Style
Publication Info: Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, c2005
Call Number: BF76.7 .C66 2005: Education Reference, Learning Commons
Features: Concise version of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. It is an authoritative guide to how best to present the ideas and data. Chalk full of examples for References as well as information about how to avoid plagiarism.
In this accessible text, Gary Shank and Launcelot Brown give students step-by-step guidance through the often baffling process of learning a new 'language' of research methods. Using clear and friendly language, and employing simple articles created to introduce students to important ideas in an engaging manner, Exploring Educational Research Literacy gives students the tools to shift from being passive consumers of research to active and critical readers capable of evaluating research and judging the usefulness of the findings for educational practice.
 Title: Exploring Educational Research Literacy
Publication Info: NY: Routledge, c2007
Call Number: LB1028 .S439:Learning Commons REFERENCE Section, HANDBOOK area
Features: Exploring Educational Research Literacy offers beginning classroom teachers a comprehensive introduction to the topic of educational research literacy—that is, the ability to read educational research articles in a systemic and critical way. Many beginning teacher education students are expected to be familiar with the latest research in their field, but are not necessarily researchers themselves. In fact, many new students have had little exposure to educational research. --From the publisher's web site
 Title: Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Author: lan A. Glatthorn & Randy L. Joyner
Publication Info: Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press,
Call Number:
LB2369 .G56 2005
Features: Highly recommended in the Curry School Dissertation Guidelines.
Title: Evaluating Research in Academic Journals
Author: Fred Pyrczak
Publication Info: Los Angeles, CA: Pyrczak Pub. c2003
Call Number: H62 .P97 2003: Alderman Library
Features: This book is provides excellent examples of how to write the best titles and abstracts for dissertations and journals. It also steps you through how to write the literature review section of a dissertation or scholarly journal article. Many users seem to have been particularly impressed by the even-handed attention given to both quantitative and qualitative traditions for research.
Title: Job Search in Academe: Strategic Rhetorics for Faculty Job Candidates
Author: Dawn M. Formo, and Cheryl Reed
Publication Info: Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing, c1999
Call Number: LB2331.72 .F67 1999: Alderman Library
Features: From identifying sources of information about positions for academic job seekers of all disciplines, to advising on the preparation of effective CVs and portfolios, through guidance on the process of interview to final negotiation of terms, this book is a very informative guide.
 Title: Publish or Perish--the Educator's Imperative
Author: Allan A. Glatthorn
Publication Info: Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, c2002
Call Number: PN146 .G59 2002: Alderman Library
Features: "Glatthorn guides education professionals through the basics of the writing process, empowering them with the tools to create and enhance their own professional submissions and writings. The down-to-earth, conversational tone helps to effectively convey and outline specific writing strategies for contributions to research journals, articles, op-ed pieces, manuscripts, literature reviews, theses, funding proposals, and internal organizational writing."
--From the publisher's web site
Accounts & Technology Tools
Accounts You Must Have
http://guides.lib.virginia.edu/accounts
Interlibrary Loan Account and Interlibrary Loan Services
In order to use interlibrary loan services you must register for an interlibrary loan account. Use the interlibrary loan service when none of the U.Va. libraries own or provide digital access to the books, journals, or other materials you need. ILS will borrow the material from another library worldwide on your behalf, and send you an e-mail notice when it arrives and is available for you to use. The service is free for all U.Va. affiliates.
You may request journal articles, books, government documents, technical reports, patents and newspapers on microform and in some cases videos and sound recordings from ILS. If you want a copy of a dissertation from another university, first check for full text access using the Dissertations & Theses database. If it is not available full text, submit an ILS request.
Response time from ILS is usually 3-10 working days. Journal articles are often sent to you in digital format (pdf or html) by ILS.
Help with Technology Problems
- ITC Help Desk 434.924.3731
Available 24/7
Writing the Dissertation
Curry School of Education Dissertation Manual: Guidelines for the Doctoral Student
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/files/pdf/dissertationmanual.pdf
What is a Quality Dissertation
UVA students can read this article from the journal ACADEME. If you are off-Grounds, you must be authenticated by UVaAnyWhere or the Proxy server. How to Grade a Dissertation by Barbara Levitts.
Writing and Presenting Your Dissertation
S. Joseph Levine created this online guide, Writing and Presenting Your Dissertation, to assist his graduate students at Michigan State University in thinking through the many aspects of crafting, implementing and defending a thesis or dissertation. NOTE: This article was written by staff at Michigan State for their students. All aspects may not be applicable for UVa.
Plagiarism
What is plagiarism and how do you avoid it. See this site maintained by California State University for examples.
Copyright Law and Graduate Research
http://www.umi.com/products_umi/dissertations/submitted_authors.shtml
This manual published by Proquest should help researchers identify when they need copyright clearances for text, images, tables, etc. the researcher wants to include in a dissertation or other work he or she wishes to publish. Instructions are provided for obtaining copyright clearance and protecting the copyright and intellectual property rights of an author/researcher.
http://www.proquest.com/products_umi/dissertations/copyright/
This guide, Copyright Law and Graduate Research, is by Kenneth Crews a copyright attorney at Indiana University.
Online Survey Software
Contact Bill Booz who is located in Ruffner Hall.
billbooz@virginia.edu or 434.243.8617
or
Also see the listing below for Researcher Services.
Writing and Presenting Your Dissertation
S. Joseph Levine created this online guide to assist his graduate students at Michigan State University in thinking through the many aspects of crafting, implementing and defending a thesis or dissertation. http://www.learnerassociates.net/dissthes/
Grammar Help
Strunk & White " Elements of Style"
Guide to Grammar and Writing
Dissertation Editing
Editors recommended by the U.Va. Teaching Resource Center
Writing APA Citations
We highly recommend that you purchase a copy of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (commonly referred to as the APA manual). The 6th edition will be published in July 2009. In addition to the many examples of how to write references, the manual also includes sections on how to write a title and abstract. The call number is REFERENCE BF 76.7 .P82.
Online APA Sources
- APA video tutorial created by Harvard University.
- Research and Documentation Online by Diana Hacker - An online version of Diana Hacker's wonderful booklet, Research and Documentation in the Electronic Age. The documentation examples are easy to follow and four different style format sample papers are included. Be sure to check out the sample APA paper.
As An Author, Sign Your Name Consistently
The suggested format is first name, middle initial, last name
for example, Robert C. Pianta.
Tips for Writing an Effective Title & Abstract for Dissertations and Articles
In order to help other researchers find your dissertation and journal articles you author, write a good title and abstract. We recommend that you read the sections on titles and abstracts in the APA Manual. REFERENCE BF 76.7 .P82
Another source of information is the book, Exploring Educational Research Literacy by Gary Shank. The book is in the HANDBOOK section of Reference at theLearning Commons. The call number is REFERENCE LB1028 .S439.
For information on the ERIC Structured Abstracts for Education Research Initiative go to: http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/resources/html/submission/content_providers_c_initiative.html
Center for American English Language & Culture
http://www.virginia.edu/provost/caelc/
English as a Second Language (ESL) services at the University are offered through the Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC). CAELC is charged both to provide leadership on issues related to ESL/intercultural communication and to help members of the University of Virginia community attain the level of linguistic and cultural proficiency needed for success at a research university in the United States.
TELEPHONE 434 924 3371 FAX 434. 924.1483
LING 103: ESL -Academic Writing for Graduate Students
LING 103 is an advanced writing course for graduate students for whom English is a second language. Course topics include reporting research, critical analysis, and argumentation. Structures and vocabulary are addressed as needed. Individual consultations are an important part of the course. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor and is limited to students at or near the dissertation stage. Offered Spring semester.
Writing Support. During the spring and fall semesters, CAELC faculty are available several hours each week to work with nonnative speakers of English in the Writing Center. For an appointment, call 434.924.6678.
Attend A Dissertation Defense
We recommend that you attend a dissertation defense before you defend your dissertation. Not only will you give valuable support to others in your program area, you will be able to view the experience as an observer and gain valuable insight into the process and protocols. Please ask the Chair or the doctoral candidate if you may attend as seating is limited.
Publishing Your Doctoral Dissertation with UMI Dissertation Publishing
Please read this now as it has information you will need to know and address throughout your doctoral program. To access the document:
Publishing Your Doctoral Dissertation with UMI Dissertation Publishing,
you will need to give USER NAME and PASSWORD. They are:
User name : dissertations
Password: publish
Be sure to click and read the 2 links, "2009 Dissertation Publishing Agreement"and "Dissertation Booklet and Form" as they are essential.
Dissertation Support
Study Guides for Comprehensive Exams
Contact the Curry School Admissions Office 434.924.3334
Responsibilities of the Faculty and Doctoral Candidates
The Executive Board of the Graduate School at University of Michigan graduate school documents their policies and guidelines titled, Enhancing the Academic Environments for Doctoral Students to help define the expectations of students and the responsibilities of faculty for doctoral education. Do note, these are not U.Va. policies and procedures, but are meant to provide you with insight.
How to get the Mentoring You Want
This handbook is posted by the University of Michigan's graduate school. Do note, these are not U.Va. policies and procedures, but are meant to provide you with insight. How to Get the Mentoring You Want.
Dissertation Support Groups
Charlottesville and Area
Contact:
Dr. Robert (Bob) Covert
434.924.0833
Richmond Center
Contact:
Dr. Cheryl Henig
434.924.3180
Northern Virginia Center
Contact:
Dr. Bernadette Black
703.536.1100
Post Dissertation Completion
Resources for Scholarly Publishing
Where should you publish your article? What are impact factors? How do you locate the ranking for a journal? What is the acceptance rate for the journal in which you wish to submit your manuscript? What journals are refereed? The source for this information is the web site, Resources for Scholarly Publishing!
Promotion and Tenure Resources
Although promotion and tenure may be several years away, knowing the information contained on the site, Resources for Promotion and Tenure , will be useful now.
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