Professor Barbara Allan is Dean of Westminster Business School. Her background includes managing workplace and academic libraries. She has spent many years working in business schools where her focus is on enhancing learning, teaching and the student experience, and the internationalization agenda. She was awarded a National teaching Fellowship in 2008 from the Higher Education Academy. Barbara is the author of several Facet Publishing titles including: Project Management (2004), Blended Learning (2007) and The No-nonsense Guide to Training in Libraries (2013).

• 1. Introduction Structure of this book Introduction to the world of research and research students The production and dissemination of knowledge Types of research degree Stakeholders in research degrees Contemporary issues regarding supporting research students Summary 2. Research and the research process IntroductionResearch proposal Research approach and methods Data collection and analysis Access and ethical issues Summarizing the research process Research issues Writing up The complexity of the research process Summary 3. The research student’s experience Introduction Starting points Induction Working with a supervisor Getting started on the doctorate Selecting a topic Developing the study Summary 4. Moving forward and completing the researchIntroduction Moving forward Methodology Fieldwork Writing up Viva voce examination Amendments and completion Summary 5. Research skills training Introduction Training and skills of research students The UK Research Councils’ Joint Statement of training requirements for research students Skills development Library and information research skills Case Study: Use of information sources Summary 6. Supporting research students in academic libraries and information services Introduction Information needs Current approaches to supporting research students Case Study: Example session plan – introduction to referencing Case Study: MI512 research training course for PhD students Targeting and communicating with research students Self-assessment: how do you support research students? Summary 7. Virtual graduate schools Introduction The development of virtual graduate schools Case Study: University of Hull Virtual Graduate School and the Graduate Virtual Research Environment Other approaches to developing a virtual graduate school Implications for library and information workersSummary 8. Introduction to research communitiesIntroduction What are communities? Research communities Information sharing in academic communities Professional associations Academic conferences Online networkingImplications for library and information workers Summary Notes 9. Professional development Introduction Professional organizations and networks Development offered by higher education institutions Research degrees Conclusion References and bibliography References Bibliography

"Easily readable, the book is well structured, and has clear objectives and summaries of each chapter...Supporting Research Students provides a much needed lifeline for new academic contact librarians, and will help to refresh the skills and perspective of more experienced librarians."