The North South University (NSU) Library organized a hands-on workshop on research skills on Thursday, 15 October 2026, to equip students with essential knowledge and practical skills for conducting effective academic research. As part of the library’s ongoing commitment to promoting academic excellence, research literacy, and academic integrity, the workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ abilities to identify relevant research topics, discover scholarly information, and manage references systematically.

The workshop focused on key stages of the research process, beginning with research topic selection and the identification of relevant research areas. Participants were introduced to techniques for developing focused and meaningful research topics. The session also demonstrated effective scholarly database searching strategies, with particular emphasis on Scopus. Participants were guided on how to search for relevant scholarly literature, use appropriate keywords and Boolean operators, refine search results, and identify influential publications to support their research endeavors.

The session was conducted by Dr. Md. Zahid Hossain Shoeb, University Librarian at North South University, who led the workshop by sharing his expertise in research support, scholarly communication, and information literacy. Through practical demonstrations, Dr. Shoeb explained how to identify suitable research topics, develop effective search strategies, and use Scopus to locate relevant scholarly publications. He also demonstrated how to refine search queries, evaluate search results, and explore the scholarly literature to identify potential research gaps and support the development of well-informed research questions.

Furthermore, Dr. Shoeb demonstrated how to use Zotero, a reference management tool, to collect and organize research materials, manage bibliographic information, and generate in-text citations and reference lists. Participants were guided through practical steps for adding references, organizing research resources, and integrating citations into academic writing. The demonstration highlighted the importance of accurate referencing, systematic literature management, and the responsible use of scholarly information in maintaining academic integrity.

The workshop was held at NSU Library and provided participants with practical insights into selecting appropriate research topics, conducting effective literature searches using Scopus, and organizing scholarly references using Zotero. The hands-on activities encouraged participants to engage with the demonstrated tools and techniques, helping them develop practical competencies for their academic and research activities.

This initiative reflects NSU Library’s broader commitment to supporting teaching, learning, and research through skill-based learning opportunities. By organizing workshops of this nature, the library continues to empower students with the practical competencies necessary for producing quality scholarly work, maintaining academic integrity, and contributing to the advancement of knowledge.