MATH 1300

This guide supports students learning to find and use statistics and data.

Social Sciences Librarian

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Todd Quinn

Zimmerman Library, 294
For Research Consultations use scheduler button below

Librarian

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Olivia Baca
she/her/hers

Zimmerman Library, office 293
Use Schedule Appt button.


Welcome

If you watch this short video, STEM Librarian Holly Surbaugh (your personal librarian for this class) will provide an overview of what you will find on the MATH1300 guide. 

Note: Social Sciences Librarian Todd Quinn will provide library services for Math and Statistics while Holly Surbaugh is unavailable during Spring 2024 semester. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Todd with any questions or to schedule a library consultation. 

Your Upcoming Class Visit to the Library

By the time your class visits the library, we hope you will feel well-prepared to sit down and get started looking for statistics related to your assignment topic. The session will mostly consist of free time you can use to search. While you work independently, a group of librarians will float around the computer lab and meet with everyone individually to discuss your topics and chat about where and how to find relevant statistical information. These conversations will function as mini-research consultation. 

Never heard of a research consultation before? Read on to learn more. 

What is a research consultation?

A research consultation is a meeting with a librarian, scheduled in advance at your convenience, to get help with your research. Librarians can consult with individuals one-on-one or with small groups. This service is available to all UNM students, and meeting with a librarian early in your research process can help you save time and get a better grade. Guidance from expert librarians ensures you are asking the right questions, searching the right resources, and employing the right search strategies to navigate your research process with confidence.

Research consultations are highly tailored to meet your unique needs. Different types of research consultations include:

  • Refining your research topic two seated figures each w outstretched arm
  • Developing your search strategy
  • Identifying relevant databases and journals
  • Finding and evaluating information resources
  • Searching the web for trustworthy information
  • Discovering alternative search terms for your topic
  • Demonstrating advanced search techniques for specific databases
  • Narrowing your search results
  • Tracking down a hard-to-find resource
  • Locating datasets for analysis
  • Using citation styles and tools correctly
  • Learning how to conduct a literature review when writing a publishable article
  • Planning and organizing a large project, such as a capstone, senior thesis, or doctoral dissertation
  • Selecting a journal or other publication venue to pitch an article
  • Managing your scholarly reputation over time
  • Discussing copyright or intellectual property issues

What to Expect at Your Consultation

BEFORE

You can request a consultation by making an appointment online or sending an email to a librarian directly. We recommend requesting an appointment at least a few business days in advance to allow time for the librarian to prepare. The more prepared the librarian is, the more useful the consultation will be for you. So plan ahead!

When scheduling the appointment, the librarian will let you know where you can plan to meet in the library. The librarian may also set up and share with you technical details for how to join a virtual meeting, if that is your preference. Librarians typically use a tool called Zoom for remote consultations.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please contact the librarian immediately, so that another student can be given your appointment time if needed.

The librarian will ask you to provide as much detail as possible about your assignment and topic. Sometimes it is helpful to share the text of the assignment you received from your professor so that the librarian knows all of the requirements you need to fulfill with your research. At a minimum, tell the librarian your deadline and provide some idea of the scope/length of your paper or project.

Share with the librarian where you have already looked for information, so that the librarian can prepare to help you find new-to-you resources.

DURING

Consultations typically last between 15 minutes and one hour. Librarians will usually schedule a full hour for your appointment, but the consultation may end early depending on your needs.

The consultation takes place in a relatively quiet, private space, generally in a library office or meeting room with a computer. However, a librarian will often advise you to bring your own laptop if you have one so you can get hands-on practice.

Although a librarian may provide you with a couple of sample articles or other resources, the librarian DOES NOT perform your research for you. The point of the consultation is to talk over your research strategy with the librarian and get advice on how to overcome any challenges you may have encountered.

You may have a surprisingly good time. Librarians are fun people.

AFTER

You are encouraged to reach out to the librarian again with any follow-up questions you have as you continue your work.

If you have a larger, more complex project, you may choose to schedule more than one consultation appointment.

You will have learned how to conduct library research more effectively.

You may secretly pat yourself on the back for taking advantage of a valuable service.

Need Data Management Support?

UNM Libraries has a Research Data Services department. They can help with:

  • Offering Coffee & Code workshops to learn data skills.
  • Answering questions about data management planning, tools, and strategies.
  • Locating data for use in proposals, pilot or research projects and instructional programs.

If you have finalized datasets that you need to store and share, consider using UNM's Digital Repository