Introduction to Study Practices

1. Introduction to Study Practices Session 2: Good Academic Practice Student Learning Support & International English Centre Effective Study Seminars 2018 Jan Hulin

2. Good academic practice University Statement on Good Academic Practice • Academic style • Time management and planning • Range of formats (e.g. essay, report, presentation, etc.) • Adequate referencing • Acknowledgement of all external sources • Differentiating between your own original work and the works your study is based on • Academic communities, range of resources and suitability of reference sources • Citation, quotation, paraphrasing, references and bibliographies

3. Access Effective Study PPTs • https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-learning-support/effective-study/

4. Challenges for students #1 • A good essay displays an overall understanding of the issues identified in the question. • It is supported by critical evaluation of published, peer reviewed, reference sources. • It generally avoids use of material that has not been published in academic documents (e.g. web pages, online encyclopedias), as there is often no evidence that this is original source material. • http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

5. Challenges for students #2 • Problems with academic practice are not unusual and they are not isolated. • Students often have difficulties with use of citations, quotations, references, bibliographies, summarizing and paraphrasing. • These practices may be unfamiliar, due to differences in academic culture and background.

6. Challenges for students #3 • Many problems occur due to lack of planning and time management. • This may be complicated by personal circumstances that are beyond a student’s control. • In other cases there may be a lack of awareness about the rules and regulations of academic practice.

7. Types of assignments • Essays • Reports • Exams • Presentations • Seminar discussions • Multimedia documents • Creative or performance work • Laboratory work • Other

8. How much do you know about…? 5 = a lot; 1 = nothing

9. Definition:Quotation • Using the exact words of the original source • A quotation must be accompanied by use of “quotation marks”. • A quotation must be accompanied by a citation in all cases .

10. Definition:Citation • A citation indicates the name of the author, the year and sometimes the page number of the source document. It is often accompanied by use of a reporting verb: • E.g. X (2010, p.21) argues that… • E.g. From X’s argument (2010, p.21) it can be seen that… • The citation may be placed in a footnote or endnote: • E.g. There are a number of reasons that support this perspective (1) • As well as giving a citation when you use a quotation, it must also be used when you paraphrase an idea in your own words.

11. Definitions: Reference • A reference gives full details of the source you are using. • It is listed at the end of your assignment in a bibliography. • It includes author’s name, editor (if appropriate), year of publication, title (and subtitle) of source, edition (if 2nd or later), city of publication, publishing company. • The above sequence is for Harvard or APA.

12. Definition:References & Bibliography • A list of references includes all sources cited in the work you are presenting. • A bibliography includes all work you have consulted in the development of your work. Practical tip: To make sure all your references are listed, highlight all citations in your assignment and cross check against your reference list/bibliography. You can then identify any missing references.

13. Turnit-In:

14. The Harvard Referencing system – an overview • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDgqqPvMn0U (Derby University)

15. Reference style guides • APA: American Psychological Association • http://www.apastyle.org • Harvard (Detailed interpretation where main differences with APA can be seen) • http://library.leeds.ac.uk/skills-referencing-harvard • IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers • http://www.ieee.org/documents/ieeecitationref.pdf • MHRA: Modern Humanities Research Association • http://www.mhra.org.uk • MLA: Modern Language Association • https://www.mla.org

16. Identify your department’s style guide • Identify the style guide that your department uses! • If you cannot find it on the department’s web-site or in its Blackboard pages, ask a member of staff. • If it is Harvard there is no official, definitive guide and universities all over the world have created their own summary guides that vary in small details like punctuation and layout of page numbers. • Be consistent with all features. • List of reference guides • https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/academic-practice/

17. Spot the differences • APA Brumfit, C. & Johnson, K. (Eds.) (1979). The Communicative Approach to Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Harvard Brumfit, C. and Johnson, K. (Eds.). 1979. The Communicative Approach to Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press. • MHRA Brumfit, Christopher, J. and Johnson, Keith, eds., The Communicative Approach to Language Teaching (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979) • MLA Brumfit, Christopher, J. and Johnson, Keith, eds. The Communicative Approach to Language Teaching. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979.

18. Important note • Check with your department to identify the specific style guide that it requires students to use. • The example in this document is one interpretation of Harvard. • Other departments may recommend variations in layout and punctuation to these examples or may recommend external reference sources. • Also consult departmental guides for uses of document types not listed here. • This does not represent a definitive guide to referencing in all departments at Aberystwyth University and is presented here as an example.

19. Full document for “Essential Aspects of Academic Practice” • Blackboard: https://blackboard.aber.ac.uk • AberSkills Tab on top line OR • AberSkills: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/ • Good Academic Practice and Referencing: https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/aberskills/academic-practice/

20. Wednesdays 16thOct – 4thDec14:00 – 15:00: Writing and Study Skills • Free Undergraduate course in Academic Writing and Information Skills • Hugh Owen D5 • Interpreting essay questions • Clarity and focus • Planning and writing introductions • Paraphrasing and citation • Quotation and citation • Essay structures: the nature of argument • Drawing conclusions and writing conclusions • Revision and exam skills These topics may not necessarily appear in this order Note additional online information skills sessions led by Information Services are available.

21. Courses and services for Learning Support • Student Learning Support / International English Centre • Free Undergraduate course in Academic Writing and Information Skills • Undergraduate modules • One to one writing support (RLF) or request appointment via writers@aber.ac.uk • One to one language supportor request appointment via tesol@aber.ac.uk • AberSkills: online study resources (Blackboard or web)

22. Inclusive learning and productivity • For students with specific learning differences, such as dyslexia, or for students with long standing health conditions, contact Student Support: • Student Support • disability@aber.ac.uk • Tel: 01970 621761

23. Questions • Thank you for attending • Any questions? • Please complete the electronic feedback form which you can access from ‘Student Learning Support’ https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/student-learning-support/effective-study/