By Jays Tan, Harvard Library Communications Intern
As finals season looms and research project deadlines begin to creep up, you might be turning to the library for a place to study, borrow books, or find online articles. But did you know that some of Harvard Library’s most powerful resources lie beyond its collection of 20 million items? Librarians and other experts in research strategy and academic resources are there to help you with your specific project. No matter what kind of research you’re doing or where you are in the process, a librarian can help make that project a little less daunting. All you need to do is ask.
If you’d like to meet with an expert one-on-one about your research project, you can use this guide to figure out where to start.
Ask a Librarian
Have a quick question and need a quick answer? You can chat with a librarian online. Just enter your name and Harvard affiliation, and within seconds you can be connected to a friendly and knowledgeable librarian who can get you immediate answers to any questions about the library.
You can also send an email and receive a response within 24 hours (Monday-Friday). Maybe you need help accessing an article online, or you want to know more about a library’s collection, or you have a question but don’t know who to ask. This is the perfect place.
Research Consultations
If you’d like more in-depth research support, you can request a research consultation. You can ask about any stage of your research project, from coming up with a question to finding the most relevant resources. No question is too small.
If you’re at one of the professional schools rather than at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, you can make an appointment with your own librarians.
Library Liaisons
Need help with a specific subject? A library liaison is your go-to. Library liaisons are experts in their subject and familiar with your program. They can point you to specialized databases or answer questions unique to your field.
You can find your library liaison along with their contact details listed by subject or program. Again, if you’re at a professional school, you may wish to contact your library directly.
Qualitative Research Support
Are you working with qualitative data like interviews, observations, or open-ended surveys? If you’d like help with anything from preparing for interviews to using data analysis software – or even if you’re just coming up with an idea – you can make an appointment to talk about qualitative research.
Literature Review Support
Are you conducting a literature review and need help navigating the vast amount of information out there? Maybe you’re refining your research question or developing a protocol for reviewing literature. You can get expert evidence synthesis support for your specific project. First, take a look at what kinds of services are offered to researchers at the various Harvard schools.
If you’re looking for a more general introduction, you can attend a drop-in workshop to learn more about evidence synthesis methods and best practices for literature review projects.
Now that you know more about the personalized research services offered by Harvard librarians, you’ll know where to turn the next time you get stuck on a research project. Remember, you’re not alone – the library’s experts are more than happy to help. You can also take a look at Harvard Library’s full list of services and tools to see what other useful resources are available to you as a Harvard student.