Textbooks
The best place to start
Textbooks are often the best place to start your research:
They explain the theories, questions and solutions that are central to your subject in a logical manner.
They are written by experts.
They reflect the current state of knowledge.
They are written in a clear language and are a good source of specialist vocabulary. Using this vocabulary will make your research more effective and your own language more impactful.
They also include tools for getting a better understanding of the subject, including illustrations, case studies, indexes and glossaries etc.
What are textbooks less good for?
News: use newspapers and news databases instead.
In-depth analysis of specific topics: use academic journal databases instead.
Statistics, market data and market research (e.g. company profiles and market trends): use specialist databases instead.
Discussing professional practice and experiences: use trade publications instead.
What books do I need?
You should start with your reading lists - the textbooks recommended for the modules you study. If you want to read more, ask your lecturer, coach or librarian for suggestions.
Consider Google Books. It allows you to do full-text searches across millions of books. It is a convenient tool for researching topics covered in just a few pages of even very large volumes.
Use library catalogues to identify textbooks in libraries. Library catalogues do not do full-text search inside books. Search instead for words in the title, the author's name, or keywords. Library catalogues may not be able to identify all the useful books if you are searching for topics covered in only a few pages. Give a thought to what kind of textbooks may discuss your topic (if unsure, use Google Books to help you). For example, 'employee motivation' is likely to be part of textbooks on work psychology or organisational behaviour, while 'CSS' is discussed in books on web design.
Where are my ebooks?
VLeBooks
Most QAHE ebooks are located on VLeBooks. Please see the guide. You can also use the QAHE library catalogue to search for these ebooks. VLeBooks is a library; the books there can be read online or "borrowed" (downloaded) for a few days or weeks. After the download period ends, the books and all the notes disappear from your device. The books you read online ("Read Online" button) can partially be printed out; the notes and highlights you make while reading online will stay indefinitely.
BibliU
BibliU is most conveniently accessed via hyperlinks on your Canvas pages. Because these links use LTI technology, you do not need to sign into BibliU or create an account with BibliU to use them - you only need to sign into Canvas. For this reason, we strongly recommend that the first time you use BibliU, you do so via Canvas.
By clicking on the links for your textbooks on Canvas, you will also assign those textbooks to your own personal BibliU bookshelf. This bookshelf is also accessible via Canvas.
It is also possible to access your textbooks at bibliu.com or in BibliU apps. When you do this for for the first time, click on the Forgot your password? link to create a password. Use the same email address as in your profile in Canvas. See also Setting and resetting a password.
BibliU is used for the core textbooks for the following modules:
DTS L6: Developing Technology Strategy
CMDA: Professional Practice 1, Work-based Practice Portfolio Level 4, Leadership of the Digital Age, Managing Creativity, Innovation and Change, Practising Strategy
SLMDA: Creating an Identity and Setting Direction, Creating Value through Innovation
ManagementDirect
The ManagementDirect ebook library is available to learners on the CMDA and SLMDA programmes. It has over 10,000 titles selected for their relevance to managers. Help video
Kortext
Kortext is used for several modules of CMDA and SLMDA programmes. For details, please see your reading lists and relevant pages on Canvas.
For the CMDA modules that are using Kortext, you can access your Kortext shelf from the Canvas menu (Textbooks link). All SLMDA core textbooks (if you started your programme before June 2020) are allocated to the Kortext shelf accessible via MyUniHub.
A Kortext bookshelf can be accessed via Canvas, the Kortext website or apps. When using the website or apps for the first time, click on the I forgot my password link to create a password; use the same email address as in Canvas.
Partner universities
Some universities have their own ebook collection available to QAHE-based students:
London Met • Solent • Ulster • Roehampton