Getting Started

Before you start

These research pages are primarily intended for postgraduate students and research staff. But if you are an undergraduate student (or a postgraduate student undertaking a taught postgraduate course) who is in need of help with your research, there may well be material of interest to you here, but much will be inappropriate. You should seek the advice of your Faculty Librarian who will be able to assist you with finding material for your research needs.

Joining the Library

Information on joining the Library

Help and advice

Information desks
We have staff in the Library at the main Information Desk as well as subject specialists located on all floors of the Library.
Faculty Librarians
Information on the Faculty Librarians, the members of the Library staff who are specialists in the bibliography of the subject areas taught at the University.
Information and study skills
for information on the Academic Skills Unit's Study Skills service.
Library tutorials

The Library offers tuition in information-handling skills at all levels, from induction for new students to advanced sessions for more experienced undergraduates, postgraduates and staff.

Referencing guides

Guides to all the referencing styles in use at the University (Harvard format - APA style, OSCOLA and Vancouver format) can be found in our collection of Library Guides. For students studying in the History Subject Area of the School of Social, Historical & Literary Studies a footnoted referencing style is required. Please seek the advice of your tutor if you are affected by this. Online help with referencing is available at the Referencing at Portsmouth website.

Searching skills

Using the Library Catalogue
To connect to the Help pages of the Library Catalogue.
Finding suitable online resources

To access the Library website's directory of online resources, e.g. bibliographic databases, e-journals, e-books etc.

Vitae

Vitae was launched in 2008 to champion the professional and career development of doctoral students and research staff. It also includes information for supervisors, managers and employers.

Research Councils UK

Web site for the seven United Kingdom Research Councils.