librarian consults with faculty researcher

Research Support

Libraries’ faculty and staff are experts in the digital, print, and archival collections at KU and are glad to help with your research.

In addition to providing consultations for assignments, papers, or advanced projects, we can help you to:

  • refine your research question and get started
  • develop search strategies to find relevant and reliable sources of information 
  • track your searches
  • access, organize, and analyze research data
  • manage references and citations

Walk-in assistance is available at the service desks in any library location and by email, phone, text, or chat at Ask a Librarian. All patrons may schedule a consultation with a librarian to get research assistance at any stage of the research process.


The Carpentries

Software and Data Carpentry workshops teach fundamental computing and data skills that can increase your productivity and improve the quality and reproducibility of your research projects. Carpentries Instructor Training teaches inclusive pedagogy and certifies individuals to be Carpentries Instructors.

Citation Management with EndNote and Zotero

Citation management tools allow you to build a collection of your references, including citation information, URL links, PDF files and notes. Group, organize and search for items, share items with others and back up your library online. Citation management tools work within Word to automatically build and update bibliographies.

GIS and Mapping

KU Libraries staff offer expert assistance, through individual and group consultations, with finding and working with geospatial and related data. We support coursework and research projects, and access to and assistance with specialized software, custom datasets, and workspace for geographic information systems (GIS).

Institute for Digital Research in the Humanities

The Institute for Digital Research in the Humanities (IDRH) offers consultations, resources, and training in the practices and tools of the digital humanities, facilitating interdisciplinary academic collaborations, innovative research, and external funding opportunities.

International Collections

Librarians and staff in International Collections offer services to researchers to help use diverse and unique materials assembled from around the world. Regional specializations include Africa, East Asia, Latin America, Russia, Eastern Europe and the Caucuses, and Central Asia.

Kenneth Spencer Research Library

Librarians are available to consult with researchers to help plan their use of Spencer’s rare and unique resources, such as books, manuscripts, photographs, and materials in many subject areas, including KU historyregional history, the humanities, the history of science, and the history of the book.

Research Data Management

KU Libraries offers services to the campus research community that educate researchers at all levels about data management practices, data preservation, and creating an integrated environment where data may be optimally utilized. We also offer guidance on writing and implementing data management plans for personal research and to meet funding agency requirements.

Research Sprints

Research Sprints offers all faculty and academic staff the opportunity to collaborate intensively with a team of expert librarians for one week on a research or instruction project. Research Sprints is held in May. The proposal deadline is in March.

Systematic Reviews

Librarians are available to support researchers in performing systematic reviews, from designing search strategies and managing results to writing methods sections.

Contact:

Research and Learning Division
Watson 4th floor
lib_rldivision@ku.edu
785-864-6572