This page will help you get more out of your Library resources for your assignments, projects, dissertations, and theses in Criminology.

REMINDER: Download the University VPN system to access these resources while you're studying off campus.

Book an Appointment

If you would like to book a one-to-one online session with Mystery, please have a look at this calendar, find an appointment that works best for you, click on the time, and save this to your calendar. This will prevent anyone else from taking that appointment.

If you would like to book a one-to-one session with Sharon, please email sharon.bittner@port.ac.uk.

Referencing & Research Support Sessions

Join Mystery and Sharon on a journey through the academic research process where we'll show you how to use the Advanced Search feature in the Library's Discovery Service. Everyone is welcome and you also have a chance to ask questions! These sessions may not run the full time - just added time in case there are a lot of questions.

You will need to register. These sessions will be held online via Zoom and will not be recorded.

6 November 2024
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Click here to register

4 December 2024
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Click here to register

8 January 2025
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Click here to register

 

Not feeling very confident with referencing? Not to worry! This session will go over the basics of APA 7, where you can find all the UoP support for referencing, and provides an opportunity for students to ask questions.

These sessions are held on line and are free but do require registration and will not be recorded. If these days/times do not work with your schedule, feel free to get in touch for one-to-one support.

13 November 2024
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Click here to register

11 December 2024
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Click here to register

15 January 2025
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Click here to register

Getting Started: Researching and Referencing

If this is your first time referencing with APA 7, go through these resources in order:

Step 1 - Watch the Referencing Tips video (this will provide the foundation for a good referencing routine)

Step 2 - Go through the Academic Writer Tutorial: Basics of Seventh Edition APA Style interactive webpage (explains the fundamentals)

Step 3 - Look at the Sample APA 7 Essay (Annotated) (this demonstrates how your essays should be formatted)

Step 4 - Explore Ref@P (this is the official university-wide guidance for referencing)

Step 5 - Explore the Learning Support Tutor's pages and get in touch. They will help you improve your writing style and flow

Step 6 - Book an appointment with your librarians (they will answer all of your referencing and research questions!)

 

Warning: do NOT use reference generators as these are NOT APA 7 compliant and you will lose marks.

Now that you are in university, your lecturers are expecting you to use academic/scholarly resources. This means that you will need to learn how to use the library resources effectively as relying on Google will not get you a decent grade. Work through the following steps to become acquainted with our resources:

Step 1 - Watch the Doing a Literature Search video (shows you how break down your research topic and teaches advanced search techniques that can be used in the Library's Discovery Service)

Step 2 - Watch the The New Discovery Service video (this is KEY for successful research at the university level)

Step 3 - Watch all four of the Finding Resources in Lexis and Westlaw videos (you will have to utilise both legal databases in for your work)

Step 4 - Explore journals relevant to your topic and reliable resources (these are the kinds of resources your lecturers are expecting you to use in addition to books)

Step 5 - Think about using an assignment calculator to stay organised and on track (I recommend Studiosity’s Assignment Calculator)

Step 6 - Book an appointment with your librarians so you can ask questions, gain clarity on certain resources, and receive feedback.

PLEASE NOTE: These are assignment calculators offered by other universities. They may offer materials that are unavailable at UoP. Please get in touch with Mystery or Sharon for support.

Falmouth University & University of Exeter Assignment Calculator

Studiosity’s Assignment Calculator

University College Cork Assignment Calculator

University of Minnesota Libraries Assignment Calculator

APA Referencing

Referencing Tips (video)
This video will cover referencing tips for students at any level. It will also show students where to go to find more help with referencing.

Academic Writer Tutorial: Basics of Seventh Edition APA Style (interactive webpage)
By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to understand and implement the following basic elements of APA Style: paper elements, format, and organization academic writing style grammar and usage bias-free language guidelines mechanics of style tables and figures in-text citations, paraphrasing, and quotations reference list format and order.

The annotations draw attention to relevant content and formatting. All references to specific sections of the APA 7 guide can be found for free on Ref@P.

(pdf file 113 kb)

Use this infographic to follow steps to developing good citations for your essay.

(pdf file 197 kb)

The reference list contains all the works you cited in the text of your paper. Use this checklist to make sure you have all the required information and necessary formatting.

(pdf file 228 kb)

Complete the following checklist for each sentence in your paper that relies on another source. Remember to cite all ideas, findings, results, or other information that is not your own and is not common knowledge.

(pdf file 163 kb)

There are two common types of plagiarism: (a) improper use of someone else’s words and (b) improper use of someone else’s ideas. Both forms of plagiarism involve using someone else’s words or ideas without appropriately acknowledging the author or source.

(pdf file 196 kb)

(pdf file 442 kb)

Introductory Library Videos

The New Discovery Service
Get ready to uncover how to use the new Discovery Service from the Library. Here you’ll see a brief overview of how the new interface looks and how you can use it for your research. This video builds on skills learned from the Doing a Literature Search video below.

Doing a Literature Search
This video covers the five steps of the literature search process. The video also covers some search techniques and recommends other videos for further viewing.

Effective Reading
When and how you should skim, scan, and read in depth. Useful techniques for research and weekly readings.

Library Introduction for SCCJ Distant Learners
This video will introduce the subject librarians, the key features of the library's website, and how to navigate to some of the library services.

Reading Lists
Covers everything related to your reading list, including how to access lists via Moodle and the library website and what to do if you're using the VPN or not using the VPN.

Referencing Tips
Referencing tips for students at any level. It will also show students where to go to find more help with referencing.

How to Find Cases in Lexis and Westlaw
Demonstrates how to find UK cases using the two legal databases, how to locate permalinks, and also provides some referencing information.

How to Find Commentary in Lexis and Westlaw
Mentions the different kinds of commentary, demonstrates how to find commentary using the two legal databases, how to locate permalinks, and also provides some referencing information.

How to Find Journals and Journal Articles in Lexis and Westlaw
Demonstrates how to find journals and journal articles using the two legal databases, how to locate permalinks, and also provides some referencing information.

How to Find UK Statutes in Lexis and Westlaw
Demonstrates how to find UK statutes using the two legal databases, how to locate permalinks, and also provides some referencing information.

Databases

  • Discovery Service

    Search across all subject areas.

  • PsycInfo

    (Searchable in EBSCO Discovery)

    Abstracts of articles covering subjects including psychology, health, business, education, law, linguistics, medicine, neuroscience, pharmacology, social work, sociology and sport.

  • Sage Research Methods

    Access books and videos about quantitative and qualitative research methods and many more social science research topics. Use the Tools drop-down at the top centre of the screen to access a handy Project Planner which is full of FAQs about what you need to consider at each stage in a project/dissertation. Tools also contains a Methods Map which is ideal for quickly finding details about a particular research method.

  • Science Direct

    (Searchable in EBSCO Discovery)

    Access 1000s of Elsvier articles and book chapters from our subscribed content on scientific, technical, and medical research.

  • Scopus

    Large abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature covering all subject areas.

  • SocINDEX

    (Searchable in EBSCO Discovery)

    A key source for tracking down articles across the social sciences. This database is available on the EBSCO platform allowing you to search this database alongside others within Discovery.

  • Web of Science

    Part of Web of Knowledge, includes records for thousands of scholarly publications. Search across three main citation databases (Science/Social Science/Arts & Humanities). 

  • Westlaw

    Primary and secondary legal resources plus EU materials.

Reliable Resources

  • Transcripts of Judicial Proceedings in England and Wales: A Guide to Sources

  • UK Parliament Hansard

    The official report of all parliamentary debates.

When using newspapers, it's always a good idea to check the validity and bias before you use them. Here are some helpful websites to do just that:

Full Fact
A team of independent fact checkers and campaigners who find, expose and counter the harm it does.

Media Bias/Fact Check
There are currently 7100+ media sources, journalists, and politicians listed in the database... and it is growing every day!

  • PressReader

    PressReader lets you access UK and international newspapers, plus a wide range of magazine content. Everything is full colour with archives varying in length depending on the publication.

    Login guidance

  • BoB: On demand TV and radio for education

    An archive of UK television and radio programmes from free to air channels (1998 onwards). For use in the UK only. Find some great tips about how to use BoB in these short videos.

  • Kanopy

    A unique collections of films including award-winning documentaries, training films and theatrical releases on every topic imaginable. Content can be searched or browsed.

  • Sage Research Methods

    Access books and videos about quantitative and qualitative research methods and many more social science research topics. Use the Tools drop-down at the top centre of the screen to access a handy Project Planner which is full of FAQs about what you need to consider at each stage in a project/dissertation. Tools also contains a Methods Map which is ideal for quickly finding details about a particular research method.

  • SAGE Video

    This collection includes policing, courts, and corrections content for comprehensive coverage of all branches of the criminal justice system.

Dissertations and Theses

(pdf file 260 kb)

This is an example of what information you need to include in your cover page and declaration page.

(docx file 109 kb)

Download this form and attach it to your dissertation.

If you have received a 2:1 and would like your dissertation added to the library database, please make sure the correct declaration has been made and have your supervisor email the entire PDF with the declaration page to dissertations@port.ac.uk.