The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Library & Knowledge Service
  • About Us
    • What we do
    • May Bank Holiday Opening Times 2025
    • Joining the Library >
      • YorCat Registration Instructions
    • How to find us
    • A-Z of services
    • Health Information Week >
      • Wellbeing
      • Shared Decision making
      • Digital Literacy
      • Winter Health
      • Social Prescribing
      • Health Literacy
    • Publications Repository
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility
  • Resources
    • About our resources
    • Find a book >
      • Searching and personalising the Library Catalogue (YorCat)​
    • Knowledge & Library Hub
    • Membership
    • Journals >
      • LibKey
    • Health Education Resources
    • eBooks >
      • OUP ebooks
    • Online databases
    • Interlibrary loans
  • Training
    • About our training
    • Athens
    • Referencing
  • Find Evidence
    • Hot Topics
    • Guidelines
    • Pathways
  • Request Search
  • Keep up to date
  • Knowledge Mobilisation
  • Patient Care and Clinical Decision Support Tools
    • BMJ Best Practice
    • Dynamed
    • Point of Care Tools - Getting Started
    • Health Literacy

Study Skills

Picture

Undertaking further studies whilst working in healthcare is rewarding and worthwhile, but it can also be challenging. It may have been a long time since you last completed academic work, or you may not have studied at a higher level before. Support is available to help you refresh and develop your academic skills, whether you are currently studying or preparing for further studies. 
Please note that many course providers will offer support with academic skills through their own library services, as well as the specialist support available from course tutors. We will refer staff to these support services where we feel they would be more appropriate routes, particularly for specific support with assignments.

Academic Writing

Academic writing style is different to everyday written communication. It needs to have a formal tone, and present clear arguments in a logical way. It does not need to be overly complicated, but does need to be well planned, accurate, focussed and proofread.
These resources will help to guide you through the different aspects of academic writing.

Introduction to Academic Writing - Sheffield Hallam University
​Academic Writing - University of Sheffield


We also have a range of books and Eresources on academic writing​​

Search the library catalogue


Finding Quality Information

Although our librarians cannot do searches for university students, we can help support you with using our resources.
Need more assistance on finding evidence to support your academic argument? Check out our Knowledge & Library Hub to track down the latest evidence.
nhs logo, knowledge & library hub
Searching: Health and Care Evidence

Referencing

Referencing styles vary and you should follow the style that is used by the organisation that you are submitting your work to.​ If you require any assistance with referencing please contact the Library and Knowledge Service on extension 7139 (01709 427139) or e-mail [email protected]. Alternatively visit us on D Level of the hospital.

​Using the Appropriate Referencing Style: University Students
If you are studying at a university find out the style of referencing that your department uses via their website or the university library. Different departments within a university may use different referencing styles. For example Sheffield Hallam University normally uses APA 7. The University of Sheffield’s School of Nursing uses the Harvard style, whilst their Medical School uses the Vancouver style. The university websites provide guidance on referencing:
  • Sheffield University Referencing Guide    
  • Sheffield Hallam University Referencing

The same basic styles can be used in slightly different ways by different universities, so be careful to check the exact format if using an online reference builder; refer back to guidance from your university to check your referencing meets their requirements.

Citations and Reference Lists
All reference styles consist of two parts: the citation and the reference list.
  • Citation – this appears in the text next to where you have used the material you are referencing. In APA and Harvard it takes the form of the name of the authors and a date, e.g. (Taylor 2017). In the Vancouver it simply takes the form of a superscript number starting with 1 for the first reference used.
  • Reference List – this appears at the end of your document and provides the full details of the reference. In APA and Harvard they are listed in alphabetical order. In Vancouver they are listed in the numbered order of use.

​​Automatic Reference Generators

Reference builders (or generators) create the reference in its correct format (or very close) through filling in fields in an online form.  Here we've recommended websites that help to generate APA, Harvard and Vancouver references using automatic forms. Please note that Harvard and APA are very similar though not identical.

​Some universities may use other styles for which you may be able to find automatic generators on the internet. Microsoft Word has an automatic reference generator function within the 'Citations and Bibliography' section of the 'References' tab; whilst this is quite complex to use it does automatically place the citation in the text and the reference list. ​N.B. Not all material you wish to reference may be covered by these generators (e.g. reports, press releases or social media posts). In these cases check your university’s website for guidance.

Training

We offer a range of workshops in support of your academic study.  Topics covered include how to structure and find supporting evidence for your dissertation and the different kinds of assignments that you may be asked to undertake as part of an educational course. 

Please contact us if you would like to access this support and for further details at 
[email protected]  - we offer times around your availability both face to face and via Teams.​​
How to Book
If you'd like to book training, please contact:
 01790 424642/44; ([email protected]), call in to the Library on D Level or scan the QR code below to complete a training request form. ​Our training is available via MS Teams and in the library. All training sessions can be tailored for specific departments/ specialities.
Picture


Contact us
Find us
A-Z of services



Privacy Policy 
Accessibility statement 
How can we improve?
About our resources
Books

Journals
Health promotion resources



Request a search
Search the evidence
Speciality gateways
Request training
Help with Athens
Bulletins and alerts
All content © 2025 The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Library & Knowledge Service unless otherwise stated.