Information Services are here to support you at every stage of your dissertation. As part of the Final-Year Festival, running from Monday 16 to Friday 20 February, we’ll be showcasing the wide range of support and resources available to you, alongside a series of practical workshops. Whether you need help with citation managers, database searching, or finding the right resources, we’ve got you covered. You’ll find the full list of workshops below.
| Event | Date | Time | Register here |
| Database Searching | Tuesday, 17 February | 10:00 – 10:30 | Register here |
| RefWorks Citation Manager | Tuesday, 17 February | 12:00 – 12:30 | Register here |
| APA Referencing | Tuesday, 17 February | 14:00 – 15:00 | Register here |
| Chicago Referencing | Wednesday, 18 February | 12:00 – 13:00 | Register here |
| Oscola Referencing | Wednesday, 18 February | 13:00 – 14:00 | Register here |
| Harvard Referencing | Thursday, 19 February | 11:00 – 12:00 | Register here |
| Advanced Searching | Thursday, 19 February | 14:00 – 15:00 | Register here |
Reading List and Book Display
Our librarians have created a list of print and ebooks available in the Library to help with your dissertation. View our Dissertation Support Reading List or pop into the library during the Final-Year Festival to see some of these books in our library display.
Finding Resources
Struggling to find articles and books on your dissertation topic? Our Librarians are here to help you find resources for your dissertation research. You can also request an appointment with your Librarian.
Wondering how to find past dissertations? The Library has some past undergraduate and taught postgraduate dissertations. Find out how to search for a dissertation and how to request it from store (scroll down to the section called Finding past dissertations).
Sometimes the library will not have all the materials you need for your dissertation. You should still be able to access everything you need by using our Document Delivery Service.
Gale Primary Sources
Gale Cengage will be hosting a stall at the Final-Year Festival on Tuesday, 17 February, showcasing Gale Primary Sources – an invaluable resource for dissertation research, especially for historical topics. This is a great opportunity to discover how these collections can support your academic work and enhance your research. Come along and visit the stall in the Atrium (just outside the library) between 10:00 and 15:30.
What are Gale Primary Sources?
Gale Primary Sources is a valuable resource for academic research, offering access to millions of pages of historical newspapers, periodicals and books. It includes collections such as British Library Newspapers, Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO), Nineteenth Century UK Periodicals and the Times Digital Archive.
Referencing
For comprehensive guidance on how to properly cite sources and use referencing tools effectively, see our LibGuide on referencing and referencing software. This resource provides detailed instructions on various referencing styles, tips for managing your references, and information on different referencing software options available to you. Whether you’re new to referencing or looking to refine your skills, our LibGuide is an essential tool to help you navigate the complexities of academic citation.
Sign up for one of our workshops above.
Word Processing your Dissertation
Are you dreading the word processing side of your dissertation? Fear not! UniDesk Self Service has a dedicated section packed with support, including step-by-step guidance, training videos, and a ready-to-use template you can simply drop your text into.
- Dissertation templates
- Training resources from LinkedIn Learning: how to format a long document
- Hints and tips for word processing a long document
Printing and Binding your Dissertation
Please note that many departments no longer require a printed and bound copy of your dissertation. We recommend checking with your department to confirm their specific submission requirements.
If you would like to print a personal copy of your dissertation, you can use the University’s printing facilities. Please make sure your print account has sufficient credit before printing. For information on printing charges, see our Print Costs FAQ.
Printing and Binding Services for Theses
If you are a PhD student, or if you would like a bound personal copy of your dissertation, please note that this is not a service provided by the University. However, you may wish to contact Downie Allison Downie Book Binders for information about the services they offer.
Student Learning Services Support
Student Learning Services (SLS) offers a range of helpful workshops as part of the Stirling Essentials Study Skills programme. Visit the Stirling Essentials Study Skills Workshops site to see what’s on and to book a place.
| Event | Date | Time | Register here |
| Advanced Literature Reviewing: Understanding Academic Conversations | Wednesday, 18 February | 14:00 – 16:00 | Register here |
| Building strong arguments throughout your dissertation | Thursday, 19 February | 10:00 – 12:00 | Register here |
See the Dissertation Section in the Student Learning Services module in Canvas for tips on structure, proofreading, and editing techniques.
Don’t forget to look at our Library and IT Dissertation Support pages in UniDesk Self Service for all things dissertation-related.