Library Services for Postgraduate Students
The Library has a commitment to support research and coursework undertaken by postgraduate students of the University.
- Library resources and services are continually reviewed to ensure that they meet your needs as a postgraduate student.
Learn - Search
Library search
Search to identify relevant books, journals, DVDs and other resources
Some items are available online, and have a "go to resource" link. Click on these to go to the full text. eBooks can be viewed in full text but have limits on copying and printing.
Journal databases and other resources
Databases provide the full text of scholarly journals, conference papers, market research, legislation, cases and standards. You can access most databases on and off campus.
Use the subject starter guides which bring together subject specific databases, websites and selected journals.
When full text is not available in the databases, follow the links provided to find other sources for the document.
Search or browse online journals.
Google Scholar provides a way to search for scholarly material on the web. Full text links show in your search results when you search Google Scholar on campus. When you are off campus you will need to set your Google Scholar preferences to use Swinburne's full text service. Instructions to do this can be found here.
Update services
Keep your literature review up to date automatically by setting up an electronic alert. Two types are available:
- Table of Contents: the tables of contents of selected journals are emailed to you as they are published
- Saved Search: your search is run regularly in a database, and you are sent an email of new articles on your topic
Set up at: ../database/alerts
Research
Methodology
For books and other material about research methods
Search the library using words, such as:
- academic writing
- experimental design
- qualitative research
- quantitative research
- research ethics
- research methodology
Other useful resources can be found on the Study Skills Subject Starter Guide
Thesis writing
Swinburne Doctoral and Masters by Research theses published after 2004 are available online via library search.
A small number of Swinburne minor theses (Honours, Grad Dip, Masters by Coursework, etc) are online in the Swinburne Research Bank linked from the Library home page .
A guide to finding Swinburne, and other Universities, theses is available:
- Theses and eprints Subject Starter Guide
To find books on writing theses and research reports you can search the library using words such as: "thesis writing", "dissertations", "academic writing" or "report writing"
Bibliographic software
Bibliographic software allows you to organise your references and create bibliographies in hundreds of citation styles.
EndNote for Windows and Endnote for Mac software is available on CD from Swinburne campus libraries at the service desks. Please specify which software you require. You can install the software to any computers you will use in the course of your Swinburne-related research.
Staff can download the software to Swinburne machines from the NAL.
Offcampus students can request the software via off-campus-service@swin.edu.au - Please specify which software you require.
Note for overseas students: our license does not permit us to supply Endnote outside of Australia.
Liaison Librarians provide hands on training sessions in using EndNote, and follow-up assistance as you need it. Training notes and tutorials are also available.
Follow this link for more information on Endnote at Swinburne Library.
Training workshops
Liaison Librarians run free training workshops and seminars on information searching techniques, subject specific resources and EndNote bibliographic software.
Some are integrated in postgraduate courses or the Swinburne Research PREP program, others are advertised by email, and on the Library web site:
- EndNote bibliographic software
- Library training workshops workshops and information sessions.
Borrow
Borrowing periods
Higher Degree by Research students (Master, PhD, Professional Doctorate)
can borrow most books for 28 days .
Coursework postgraduates
(Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master) can borrow books for 14 days .
Loan periods for other materials vary.
Inter-Library Loans are available free of charge to all postgraduate students for material not held in the Swinburne Library. Some restrictions apply to Master by Coursework, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate students.
Other libraries' catalogues
These catalogues can be used to search for resources that we don't currently have in our collections. Check the website to see if you are eligible for Interlibrary Loans.
From the Swinburne Library website you have access to:
Libraries Australia, which is a combined catalogue of material kept in Australia's libraries.
Serials in Australian Libraries which is a catalogue of journals held in libraries in Australia.
Borrowing from other libraries
You can borrow directly from other university and TAFE libraries:
In Victoria through the CAVAL Reciprocal Borrowing Program. Some libraries offer longer loans to postgraduate students. Apply for a reciprocal borrowing card at any Swinburne Library Service desk.
Interstate through University Library Australia. Apply directly to the library you wish to borrow.
People
Liaison Librarians provide one-to-one consultation services to help you with search strategies and in identifying useful resources for your research.
Contact the Liaison Librarian for your discipline area, by phone or email, to make an appointment.
Contact us
Library staff are here to help you. We can answer your questions. Speak to us in person at the Service Desk, or contact us by:
- Phone 03 9214 8330
- SMS 0427 841 787
- Email library@swin.edu.au
- Visit one of the Campus Libraries.
- Contact your Liaison Librarian.
