Library essentials for researchers
The La Trobe University (LTU) Library is a vital source of information and support for researchers and graduate researchers.
What we do
The Library's Research Liaison team provides tailored support to researchers and graduate researchers through expert training, consultations and digital tools/resources—helping with everything from search strategies and publishing advice to managing research data and enhancing research visibility.
Building your capabilities
The Library offers a range of services and resources to help develop your research skills and expertise.
We offer a huge range of workshops and researcher education sessions covering topics like open access publishing, systematic searching, research data management, academic writing and much more.
We offer one-to-one consultations and weekly online drop-in sessions with Senior Research Librarians and Academic Skills Advisors where you can discuss and get advice on issues particular to researchers and higher-degree research students, including:
- general search strategy and database searching assistance
- conducting a literature review
- creating researcher profiles
- setting up database alerts
- identifying where to publish
- uploading research outputs to OPAL
- managing research data and outputs
- measuring research impact
- the My Publications system
- graduate research writing
- advanced information and digital fluency skills.
Managing your data and outputs
The Library provides resources and support for research data management and compliance, including guides, consultations and assistance with data sharing and publication. OPAL, the University’s institutional repository, ensures research outputs are preserved, accessible and discoverable worldwide.
Graduate research writing
This guide to graduate research and thesis writing provides essential advice about how to become a successful graduate thesis writer. In this guide, you will find general advice, tips and strategies to enhance your academic writing, develop your thesis writing skills and help you find useful resources.
Graduate researcher information skills (GRIS)
This group of Library guides is designed to support Graduate Researchers who are undertaking a higher degree by research (PhD or Masters by Research). The guides provide information about each aspect of research and an overview of resources and support provided.
Systematic reviews
This guide provides an introduction to systematic reviews, outlining the key steps involved in planning, conducting and reporting a review, as well as resources and tools to support each stage of the process.
Publishing your research
This guide helps you navigate the publishing process by explaining how to choose the right journals, improve open access to your research and take advantage of Read and Publish agreements and discounts. It also provides information to help you understand and improve open access to your research.
The GRS newsletter aims to bring together events, resources, training, tips and news relevant to you and your research on a fortnightly basis, delivered directly to your inbox.
You can also contribute to the newsletter to share information about your work with other researchers.
Customising your search
We offer customised searches for grant proposals or funded projects, including developing a search strategy, advanced literature searches in up to two databases, full documentation and EndNote results.
Measuring the impact of your research
We can help you measure the influence of your work within your discipline and its real-world impact in other sectors. Using traditional citation analysis tools (e.g. Scopus, Google Scholar) and looking at alternative metrics (e.g. social media attention), we can form a comprehensive view of how your work is contributing to the world around us.
Your academic profile
LTU’s Academic Profiles system makes La Trobe research more visible and highlights the capabilities and track record of our researchers.
The Library can help you maximise your research advantage by providing advice and assistance to ensure your profile is accurate and includes everything necessary. Find out more with our Academic Profiles guide or request a consultation with a Research Librarian.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like more information, please get in touch.