The Study Skills Handbook (Palgrave Study Skills)

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Whenever you are carrying out a task be really clear about what you are trying to achieve. Keep a detailed record of what you do and resources that you have used. This is essential in the write-up stages of your work. word count identified in the module handbook plus 10% or minus 10% – any greater variation may result in a loss of marks)

What if the book or article has two authors? If there are two authors to one text then give both surnames, e.g. (Smith and Jones, 1999). If there are more than two authors to one text then give the first surname followed by ‘et al.’ e.g. (Brown et al, 1995).Critical reading is time consuming and it is worth spending time developing this approach to reading – students who are critical readers often do well in assignments! Your work should be word processed. • Use fonts ‘Times New Roman’ or ‘Arial’. • Use font size of 11 or 12. • Use 1.5 line-spacing. • Leave an adequate margin on all four sides of the piece of paper. • Do not indent paragraphs but leave an extra space between them. • Long quotations should be in single line spacing and indented at both sides. • References should be in single line spacing and with a space between each What if I want to keep referring to the same text? You will often be able to do so without repeating the same reference several times. Where you do need to repeat the reference, do repeat it. This is preferable to using the Latin ibid that used to be common practice. David McConnell suggests that “students in cooperative environments perform at a higher level than those working in competitive or individualistic environments.” (2002, 19). What is an independent learner? Independent learners are motivated to learn. They accept responsibility for their own learning and have the confidence to approach others for help if they need it. Independent learners manage their learning processes effectively. This includes

When you are working on your assignments and reading your course materials you are advised to keep a record of all the items and the basic information needed which will allow your reader to find the original to which you refer. This is outlined here: lectures • seminars • group and team activities • tutorials • on-line activities • independent research Identify each individual task. • Manage the tasks – establish your priorities, identify when you will work on it

Different people make notes in different ways. Do not be distracted during a lecture by people making different types of notes to you – everyone develops their own style. What is important is that you find and use a method that works for you.

Introduction ..................................................................................................... 12 Approaches to learning and teaching .............................................................. 13 Becoming an independent learner .................................................................. 15 Closing comments ............................................................................................ 19 Rosemary Laidlaw Disability Support Advisor The University of Hull Scarborough Campus Filey Road Scarborough, YO11 3AZOnce you have identified relevant information sources it is important to evaluate them. This will help you to make sure that you provide accurate, reliable and up-to-date information in your assignments. Making notes is a skill that will help you to manage the information content of your programme of study. Making notes is something that you will do in many different situations: lectures; seminars; tutorials; reading a book or journal; surfing the Internet; watching television or a video. It is a very important practical skill and your notes will help you to