Library 501 Past Workshops

Scrape Twitter Data with TWARC

Does your research require you to build an archive of Twitter data? In this workshop attendees will learn how to scrape tweets with the TWARC program in your command line interface without going through the tedious process of manually downloading tweets. Attendees will also be guided through the process of cleaning up Twitter data once it’s downloaded.

Search Google like a Pro

This hands-on workshop showcases tips and tricks to power up your research using the world’s most popular search engine.

We will take a quick look at how Google Search works and then explore Google’s advanced search features in depth. We’ll also ensure you know how to maximize your use of Google Scholar. We will discuss the strengths and limitations of Google and Google Scholar as research tools. Finally, we’ll highlight options for keeping up to date and learning more about Google and Google Scholar.

At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Use Google’s search operators and other limiters
• Use Google Scholar more effectively
• Identify when Google and Google Scholar are the right choice for your research
• Identify resources for learning and keeping up with Google as a research tool

Research Networking on #AcademicTwitter

Interested in using Twitter to up your networking game and benefit your academic career? This hands-on session covers Twitter best practices and etiquette, hacks to find the right community, and other tips to maximize your social media use as a researcher. That next collaboration may be just around the corner!

Copyright, Licensing, and Permissions

Have you found copyright laws, fair dealing (Canada) and fair use (U.S.) confusing? Would you like to add a Creative Commons license to your work? Have you contacted copyright owners to obtain permission to reuse their work? Do you know when you would need to do so?

This session will discuss these and other challenges that we have gone through, as well as questions that you can bring to this workshop. You will learn about strategies and resources that are available to help you understand copyright better. Together, we will clear misconceptions around these complex issues. Bring your questions!

Scrape Instagram Data with Instagram-Scraper

Does your research require you to build an archive of Instagram data? In this workshop attendees will learn how to scrape Instagram posts with the Instagram-Scraper program in your command line interface without going through the tedious process of manually downloading posts. Attendees will also be guided through the process of cleaning up Instagram data once it’s downloaded.

Literature Synthesis Bootcamp- Part 3: Using COVIDENCE for Literature Screening

Once you have conducted your database searches and have an archive of records, you need to screen and appraise them. This session introduces you to COVIDENCE, a software solution available at UofT that simplifies this daunting process. After attending this session, you will be able to start working with COVIDENCE to expedite the screening and data extraction for your literature synthesis project.

Learning outcomes:

• make a COVIDENCE account;
• navigate the interface to upload your literature records and set up the screening;
• practice creating forms based on inclusion – exclusion criteria, setting up risk of bias assessments, and extracting data.

Literature Synthesis Bootcamp-Part 2: Structured Searching

Now that you know what kind of literature synthesis project you will be working on, it’s time to practice searching. After attending this session, you will be able to select the appropriate databases and apply the structured search method in most search environments.

Learning outcomes:

• translate your PICO or concept map into structured search statements;
• apply structured search techniques in common database environments such as OVID, ProQuest, EBSCO, and the PubMed interface;
• practice search translation and data export into citation managers

Literature Synthesis Bootcamp- Part 1: Systematic & Scoping Review Basics

Should you do a systematic or a scoping review? What is the difference? How do you start?

After attending this session, you will be able to answer these questions – and more – making it easier to plan your knowledge synthesis project.

Learning outcomes:

• distinguish between the features of, and workflows in, different types of knowledge syntheses;
• get started with protocols, reporting criteria and PRISMA flowchart;
• apply research question and search building strategies such as PICO;
• draft inclusion and exclusion criteria;

Unix and Git, Part 2: Introduction to Git

With this introduction to Git, we will go over the basics on Git and GitHub.  We will go over setting up a GitHub account, explaining basic commands like clone, add, and commit, setting up a repository on GitHub, and how to recover old versions of files.  Note, that participants should take Part 1: The Unix Shell, or already have experience using the Unix Shell.

Unix and Git, Part 1: The Unix Shell

The Unix shell is a powerful tool that allows people to do complex things with just a few keystrokes.  You can combine existing programs in different ways and automate repetitive tasks so you don’t need to type things over and over again.  This workshop will go over the basics of the Unix shell, starting with working with files and directories, using pipes and filters, and a little bit of shell scripting.