Subject Librarian
Reference Books
A Theology librarian is available to assist you with research support in person. You can email the librarian any time to schedule a research consultation appointment. You can sign up for research training using the RCU library training sign up form by clicking here.
My Research Essentials
Research in an indeed an important part of university education. In fact, research lies at the core of all academic activity. Simply put, research is the process of discovering new knowledge. This knowledge can be either the development of new concepts or the advancement of existing knowledge and theories, leading to a new understanding that was not previously known.
The purpose of research is to enhance society by advancing knowledge through the development of scientific theories, concepts and ideas. A research purpose is met through forming hypotheses, collecting data, analysing results, forming conclusions, implementing findings into real-life applications and forming new research questions.
The research process involves identifying, locating, assessing, and analysing the information you need to support your research question, and then developing and expressing your ideas. These are the same skills you need any time you write a report, proposal, or put together a presentation.
Library research involves the step-by-step process used to gather information in order to write your paper, create a presentation, or complete a project. As you progress from one step to the next, it is often necessary to rethink, revise, add additional material or even adjust your topic. Much will depend on what you discover during your research.
Training and Help
The RCU library is dedicated towards ensuring that RCU academics at all levels are fully equipped with skills and competencies required to thrive in the present digital academic landscape. The library runs an Information Literacy training programme designed to empower students to seek, create and share new ideas in a complex information landscape by teaching skills that extend from the classroom to student's personal and professional lives. Librarians and faculty partner to teach students information literacy skills they need to succeed in assignments, research and their future careers as professionals and lifelong learners.
Information Literacy therefore, is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning. The following is a list of some of the Information Literacy training topics offered by the RCU library for your convenience:
- eCHERA [eLearning]
- RCU Digital Library [eDURA and eJournals]
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Computer Basics [Microsoft Windows]
- Research Project Formatting
- Project Proposal
- eMail and Google Drive Basics