Getting to know our Research Commons users
1395 days ago

Getting to know our Research Commons users

 

Percy Makholwa is a Masters Student in International Relations, Social Science.

 

Librarian: You have been a regular visitor of the Research Commons, how did you hear about the facility? 

Percy: The library staff at Wartenweiler library made me aware of this facility and explained that it would be a suitable environment for me.

 

 

Librarian: Tell me more about your research topic:

Percy: The topic is “Human rights in South Africa’s foreign policy, from 1994 to 2008-Leadership and compromise on the African continents”. The study looks at the Mandela and Mbeki Presidencies and asks whether South Africa has remained committed to its principles of advancing human rights in its foreign policy.  The case studies looked at herein are, Myanmar; Zimbabwe and Nigeria (under Sanni Abacha); Burundi and the DRC. 

 

 

Librarian: How long have you been engaged in research?

Percy: In relations to my MA research report this is my second year and I hope to complete in 5 months. I have been actively involved in research since my first year I guess.

 

 

Librarian: What has been the hardest part of your research process?

Percy: Definitely the proposal stage

 

 

Librarian: Where did you learn your research skills?

Percy: The Departments of Political studies and International Relations have courses in Research and Methodology- these courses do not encompass library research however I have therefore had to attend workshops hosted by the Wartenweiler library in their electronic classroom this has supplemented the courses offered.

 

 

Librarian: Which library resources do you most frequently use and why?

Percy: Electronic journals are very essential; news paper clippings on SABINET and official documents on the SA foreign Affairs website.  

 

 

Librarian: How do you keep up to date with new developments in your research area?

Percy:  I have set up an online notification which emails me the latest news on human rights and South Africa’s foreign policy.

 

 

Librarian: What would be your advice to newly registered postgraduate students?  Percy: To consult with the library on available resources especially SABINET

 

 

Librarian: What training to our Postgraduate students would be the most useful?  Percy: Definitely a refresher course on how use and access other sources like Proquest, SABINET and Taylor Francis

 

 

Librarian: Do you have any suggestions on how the Research Commons librarians could improve their support to researchers? 

Percy: Everything is at this stage satisfactory to me- although it would be nice to have research commons being 24 hour facilities- that is probably a long term consideration

 



Do you want to know more about the Literature Review and Research?
1136 days ago

YOU are invited to join us in a session called "The Importance of the Literature Review - in research". Prof Elly Grossman will share her insights into the Literature Review process, as a researcher and postgraduate supervisor. Please join us on Thursday 27th May 2010 from 9:00am - 11:00am in the ECR Wartenweiler Library for a worthwhile voyage of discovery.

 

Please R.S.V.P. to Thuli Dhalmini thuli.dhlamini@wits.ac.za 717-1954 or Janet Zambri janet.zambri@wits.ac.za 717-1953



The Importance of the Literature Review - in research
1114 days ago

Prof. Elly Grossman will present a session entitled The Importance of the Literature Review - in research where she will share her insights into the Literature Review process, as a researcher and postgraduate supervisor.

Date: Thursday, 27 May 2010
Time: 9:00 - 11:00
Venue: Electronic Classroom, 1st floor, Wartenweiler Library, East Campus
RSVP: Thuli Dhalmini on Thuli.Dhlamini@wits.ac.za or (011) 717-1954 or Janet Zambri on Janet.Zambri@wits.ac.za or (011) 717-1953



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