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Research Consultations

This guide provides an overview of NU Library's Research Consultation service.

Library Consultations

Consultations @ NU Library

Library Consultations are live, one-on-one sessions that provide in-depth, high-level, and customized research assistance with a reference librarian. These sessions are NOT meant to provide basic library navigation and searching skills. Research consultations are most beneficial for students who have a clearly identified research topic and have already done significant research on their own.

Consultation Areas of Assistance: 

  • Developing your search strategy
  • Identifying relevant databases and journals
  • Finding and evaluating information resources
  • Discovering alternative search terms for your topic
  • Using advanced search techniques for specific databases
  • Narrowing your search results

Schedule a Consultation

Below are our current consultation offerings. Each consultation type offers a specific type of assistance. Please review them thoroughly to make sure you select the appropriate consultation type for you, and let us know if you have any questions.

Consultation Alteratives

Library Drop-In Office Hours

Library Office Hours are perfect for students with specific questions and want to interact with a librarian and other students over Zoom. 

Library Orientations

This session will introduce students to the Library's website and will provide instructions on how to access the Library's research resources and services.

For questions or assistance with assignment interpretation or specific requirements, please speak with your course instructor. 

If you need help with APA, citation formatting, paper formatting, mechanics of style, writing, synthesis, or analysis, please contact the Academic Success Center for support.

Research Consultation Policy

Our research consultation services are available to alumni, students, faculty, and staff of National University. We are unable to provide consultation services to individuals who are not a member of the National University Community.  

 Research consultations are most beneficial for students who have a clearly identified research topic and have already done some research on their own.  

Consultation Policy  

  • Librarians do not assist with synthesis, analysis, citation formatting, writing mechanics, or research question development. Please get in touch with the Academic Success Center for help in these areas.  

  • We ask that students provide all requested information on the schedule request form, including detailed information about their research topic. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the appointment.  

  • Consultations are interactive sessions in Zoom, the Library's online meeting software. Students must have access to an internet-enabled computer with audio and visual for the entire session length.  

  • Consultations are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

  • A student may only have one research consultation scheduled at a time. Future appointments may be scheduled following a completed appointment.  

  • Consultations are not offered on holidays or during scheduled university breaks.  

  • Once the student selects the day and time, they will receive a confirmation email containing access and call-in information.   

  • Students agree to check their email for further correspondence about this appointment.  

  • The Library does not offer same-day appointments.  

  • All research consultations are scheduled in Pacific Time. Students are responsible for being aware of any time zone differences when booking.   

  • Students are expected to meet their appointment time or contact us within a reasonable time to cancel. The Library relies on the punctuality and consistency of students to continue providing the Research Consultation service. Repeated cancellations and "no-shows" may result in suspension of scheduling privileges.  

  • Students who cannot find an appropriate live meeting time may request a personalized video tutorial. These 30-minute sessions will be recorded by a librarian and emailed to the student within three business days (Monday - Friday). To request a recorded video tutorial, go to https://ncu.libwizard.com/f/personalizedtutorial  

 If students are driving or otherwise distracted during a consultation, library team members will end the interaction and direct the student to reschedule for a more convenient time. Please be ready to learn and focus during this session. Plan to attend from a computer and be able to engage without distraction. We suggest rescheduling if students cannot commit to that during their scheduled time.  

Policy Updated  9/8/23