Documentation:Research Commons/How We Can Help
There is a range of questions that the Research Commons can help you with on an individual basis (in person, by e-mail, or by phone) or through our workshop series. These include:
Thesis Formatting
- Understanding the basic Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies formatting requirements
- Implementing the formatting requirements using Microsoft Word (PC or Mac)
- Using the Microsoft Word thesis template available on our website (PC or Mac)
- Troubleshooting formatting problems in Microsoft Word
- Uploading your completed thesis to cIRcle, UBC's institutional repository. (Note: You will need to make sure that all your final thesis submission documents have been submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies before you can submit your thesis to cIRcle.)
Citation Management
- Using citation management tools to organize and cite your references
- Providing in-depth support for Mendeley, Zotero, and RefWorks
SPSS/GIS/Data Management [coming in Fall 2013]
- Providing access, assistance and instruction on SPSS, R, and Stata
- Referring questions about methodology and analysis to SCARL [Statistical Consulting and Research Laboratory]
- More information on this new service coming soon!
Other services are provided by various units across the UBC campus or, in some instances, by off-campus service providers. These services include:
- Answering specific questions about your individual thesis: for example, unusual formatting requests; inclusion of particular material; or incorporating sound or video. These questions should be directed to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
- Full thesis pre-reviews. Pre-reviews are conducted by staff in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies; they are mandatory for doctoral students submitting to their external examiner, and are recommended for master's students. The Research Commons is not authorized to conduct these pre-reviews, and does not have the staff to do so. We will be very happy to help with your formatting questions.
- Editing your thesis. Editing services are not provided through UBC. The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has information on how to find an editor for your thesis if you feel you need one. For ongoing help with your writing on a drop-in or appointment basis, contact UBC Continuing Studies Writing Centre.
- Using copyrighted material in your thesis. The Copyright office at UBC provides assistance with understanding and adhering to copyright laws. This includes clarifying what material you need to get permission to use, and assisting you in getting that permission.
- Providing support for LaTeX. For more information on this tool for thesis writing and formatting tool, visit the LaTeX website or UBC Library's guide to using LaTeX.