Library 501 Past Workshops

Literature Synthesis 3-Part Series (Bootcamp)- Part 1: Systematic & Scoping Review Basics

Should you do a systematic or a scoping review? What is the difference? How do you start?

After attending this session, you will be able to answer these questions – and more – making it easier to plan your knowledge synthesis project.

Learning outcomes:

• distinguish between the features of, and workflows in, different types of knowledge syntheses;
• get started with protocols, reporting criteria and PRISMA flowchart;
• apply research question and search building strategies such as PICO;
• draft inclusion and exclusion criteria;

Inoculate Yourself against COVID-19 Misinformation

How do you find authoritative information about COVID-19? What are the tips and tricks of the pros for avoiding misinformation while preserving a critical and inquiring attitude?

After attending this session, you will be able to answer these questions – and more – making it easier to survive the pandemic without drowning in disinformation.

Learning outcomes:

• find primary sources on COVID-19 research
• find pre-print and grey literature servers with the latest COVID-19 research
• locate local government and public health COVID-19 resources and repositories
• locate some scientific conversations critical of the official narrative
• develop strategies for using this information critically

Scrape Twitter Data with TWARC

Does your research require you to build an archive of Twitter data? In this workshop attendees will learn how to scrape tweets with the TWARC program in your command line interface without going through the tedious process of manually downloading tweets. Attendees will also be guided through the process of cleaning up Twitter data once it’s downloaded. (This session is part of the UTM Library 501 program, but all U of T affiliated persons are welcome to attend).

Literature Synthesis Part 3: Using COVIDENCE for Literature Screening

Once you have conducted your database searches and have an archive of records, you need to screen and appraise them. This session introduces you to COVIDENCE, a software solution available at UofT that simplifies this daunting process. After attending this session, you will be able to start working with COVIDENCE to expedite the screening and data extraction for your literature synthesis project.

Learning outcomes:

• make a COVIDENCE account;
• navigate the interface to upload your literature records and set up the screening;
• practice creating forms based on inclusion – exclusion criteria, setting up risk of bias assessments, and extracting data

Literature Synthesis Part 2: Structured Searching

Now that you know what kind of literature synthesis project you will be working on, it’s time to practice searching. After attending this session, you will be able to select the appropriate databases and apply the structured search method in most search environments.

Learning outcomes:

• translate your PICO or concept map into structured search statements;
• apply structured search techniques in common database environments such as OVID, ProQuest, EBSCO, and the PubMed interface;
• practice search translation and data export into citation managers

Identifiers and Impact: Using ORCiD and Your Research Impact

Researcher identifiers are a simple and convenient way to ensure your work is searchable, properly cited, and can help you analyse your research impact.  In this workshop, learn about what researcher identifiers are, the benefits of having one, and how having one can impact your current and future research.   Attendees will also be guided through the process of signing up for an ORCiD account. (This session is part of the UTM Library 501 program, but all UofT affiliated persons are welcome to attend).

Theses: Writing, Finding, Obtaining and Using Graduate Theses

This session is focused on the existing resources for writing, publishing, finding, obtaining and using theses produced nationally and internationally for your research. The focus is primarily on the humanities, although several generic theses resources include humanities, social sciences and the sciences. Resources at the University of Toronto, in addition, to other resources in Canada, United States and Europe will be reviewed.

Literature Synthesis Part 1: Systematic & Scoping Review Basics

Should you do a systematic or a scoping review? What is the difference? How do you start?

After attending this session, you will be able to answer these questions – and more – making it easier to plan your knowledge synthesis project.

Learning outcomes:

• distinguish between the features of, and workflows in, different types of knowledge syntheses;
• get started with protocols, reporting criteria and PRISMA flowchart;
• apply research question and search building strategies such as PICO;
• draft inclusion and exclusion criteria;

Introduction to MATLAB

In this introduction to MATLAB, we will go over variables, operators, built-in functions, and accepting input in scripts.  We will also go over how to access the MATLAB from computers around campus. (This session is part of the UTM Library 501 program, but all UofT affiliated persons are welcome to attend).

Introduction to the Unity Editor and Making Games

Does your research require you to make a game or a digital storytelling experience? In this introductory workshop attendees will learn how to use the Unity Editor, import art assets, and create a mini-game. Attendees will also get a brief overview of game and story design and go through the process of building and releasing a game application. (This session is part of the UTM Library 501 program, but all UofT affiliated persons are welcome to attend).