Research skills workshops
Explore Deeply, Think Critically.
Explore our directory below to find your next workshop.
Searching for information workshops
- Getting the most out of StarPlus: search, save, and organise
This session will focus on how to use StarPlus in the most effective way to discover your recommended reading, search for further reading, filter your results, generate citations and make full use of your library account to start organising your references.Book a place
- Liberating your information searching: finding alternative sources
In this reflective and practical session, you will explore issues around how certain types of knowledge and information sources have been valued over others, leading to omissions of marginalised perspectives in research.
With your peers, you will have the opportunity to identify and discuss strategies to address these imbalances. You will then have the opportunity to practise applying these strategies to your own information searching.- Using academic databases and developing your search strategy
In this session you will learn how to use databases to find the best sources for your assignment or independent research project in order to achieve the highest marks.
You will consider your information needs and have the opportunity to create an effective search strategy to produce a manageable set of relevant results.- Using AI and GenAI critically: finding sources for your assignments
In this session you will critically evaluate the capabilities and limitations of a variety of AI and GenAI assisted scholarly search tools for finding sources for your assignments, whilst recognising the value of established approaches to finding academic information.
You will gain practical experience using Google Gemini to generate your own search strategy.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our searching for information online resources.
Reading and understanding information workshops
- Dissertation Planning Essentials
For final-year UG and Master's students, you may have lots of ideas of things you would like to explore in your dissertation; developing a well-structured and organised project is the key to preparing for your research.
This workshop helps you kick-start your dissertation by showing you how to focus your topic, ground it in research, and tackle common planning hurdles.
- Reading For Diversity
The Library has teamed up with BookSoc, Sheffield University’s book society, to create a programme of Reading for Diversity reading groups.
These will take place throughout the year and are often timed to celebrate awareness months and/ or compliment exhibitions in the Digital Exhibition Space on Level One of the Information Commons.
This programme provides an opportunity for students to come together to critically engage with, reflect on, and discuss books from diverse and often underrepresented voices and perspectives.
Books are chosen by University of Sheffield students, and all shortlisted and discussed books are added to the Reading for Diversity Leganto Reading list, available as both print and copies via StarPlus, the Library catalogue, where possible.- Using ebooks effectively
Want to get the best out of ebooks? This session provides an overview of their benefits, functionality and applications. You leave the session able to make efficient and effective use of our collection of online titles.
There are no sessions currently scheduled, but you can express your interest in future sessions.
ebooks FAQs
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our online reading and understanding information resources.
Critical approaches to information workshops
- Critical Thinking and Writing
Critical thinking is an essential university skill, it involves looking at information carefully, checking the evidence, and weighing different arguments so you can reach smart, well-reasoned conclusions.
This interactive workshop breaks down what critical thinking really means, offering hands-on group activities to help you analyze arguments, evaluate evidence, and build well-reasoned written work for your degree and beyond.
- Critical thinking: questioning and evaluating sources for your assignments
In this session you will consider how to critically evaluate information when undertaking independent research.
You will question different types of information and develop a critical approach, considering a range of questions and using the tools and data available to apply this to relevant sources.- Critical Use of Generative AI
Designed for students with basic GenAI experience, move beyond basic prompts to engineer critical, ethical, and interactive GenAI conversations for your university work.
This workshop refines your prompt engineering skills for academic work, teaching you to evaluate AI outputs critically and ethically with live practice with Google Gemini.
- Paraphrasing and Using Academic Sources
Strong academic writing builds on existing scholarship while maintaining your own voice.
This practical workshop shows you how to quote, paraphrase, and synthesize sources confidently to build strong, plagiarism-free arguments.
- Using AI and GenAI critically: ethical, environmental and social issues
This session explores "Critical GenAI Literacy". In addition to understanding what GenAI is and how to use it, Critical GenAI Literacy involves looking more deeply at the limitations of GenAI and some of the problems it presents us with. This includes ethical and environmental implications, copyright, and some of the wider impacts on society.
This session will help you to understand the limitations of GenAI and help you think critically about its usefulness to your studies.- Using images and figures: finding, copyright, and attribution
In this session you will discover where to find images and figures that can be safely reused for your work, and learn how to attribute creators correctly.
We will cover how copyright applies to visual media, break down Creative Commons licences, and briefly explore copyright exceptions and AI-generated images.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our critical approaches to information online resources.
Research methods workshops
- Developing an Academic Argument
Academic arguments are the heart of most academic writing, relying on a clear structure to communicate complex ideas effectively.
This workshop guides you step-by-step through structuring your paper, using evidence effectively, and crafting a persuasive argument from thesis to conclusion.
- Writing a Research Proposal
A strong research proposal clearly defines what you will investigate, why it matters, and how you will execute it.
This interactive workshop walks you through a persuasive, proven proposal structure, helping you link your methodology to existing literature and refine your plan by evaluating real example proposals.
Can't find a workshop? Take a look at our research methods online resources.
Next steps
If you can't find the workshops you are looking for you can:
- view our full programme of upcoming workshops
- book a 1:1 appointment for study skills, maths or statistics
- browse our online how to guides for more information and resources