To be information literate is to be able to identify when and why you need information, understand how it is presented, critically evaluate it both in terms of its appropriateness of content as well as the quality of the information, and use and share that information. Digital Literacy is similar but with a focus on online information, such as the use of social media and virtual learning environments.
LEAP Online has extensive information on how to be information and digitally literate. Click on the LEAP Online image in the centre of this guide to find out more. Pay particular attention to My Academic Development and My Digital Literacy.
A number of guides are available may be of use as you develop study skills. They are available from this page and are available in PDF format so they can be downloaded.
Turtitin is the plagiarism detection software you will most likely use to submit your assignments.
Turnitin is accessed via Moodle, and the following help guides may be of use:
LEAP Online offers support with your academic and personal development. Online tutorials cover a variety of topics such as referencing, time management, essay writing, finding appropriate information for assignments and many more. Each section contains information, videos and activities. You can earn digital badges by completing section assessments.
Click on the image above to access LEAP Online and take a look at the Quick Start Guide below:
LEAP workshops
As well as LEAP Online, there is a range of face-to-face workshops that you can book onto using the StudentHub. Log in with your network username and password to make a booking.
A number of books on study skills are available in the Library; below are just some examples. More can be found by searching either Discover@Bolton or the Library catalogue.
Critical Thinking Skills by
The new edition of this leading guide helps students to develop reflective thinking skills, improve their critical analysis and construct arguments more effectively. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step explanations along with plenty of examples and activities develop understanding at each stage. Includes a brand new chapter on employability.
Essential Study Skills by 
The Guide to Learning and Study Skills - For Higher Education and at Work by
Skills in learning and studying are vital to ensure success in higher education study, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level, in university, college or in the workplace. Skills are needed in reflection, analysis, communication and recording information to produce good work, to engage effectively in a group, to carry out a project or perform well in exams; personal skills are needed to handle time and pressure and to relate to others on a course or in the workplace. This new guide builds on the hugely successful materials the authors have developed over the last 15 years. Along with highly practical guidance on traditional learning skills, The Guide to Learning and Study Skills provides direction for students on learning in a blended environment; the increased use of personal and professional development planning, continuing professional development and work-based learning.
The Study Skills Handbook by You must reference all of the information that you use to complete your assignments. LEAP Online explains what referencing is, why you must do it and when and how to do it.
Click here for the LEAP Online referencing section.
You may also find the plagiarism section useful.
Courses at the University of Bolton will use either the Harvard, APA, Numeric or OSCOLA style of referencing. Your tutors will tell you which referencing system to use. Follow this link for more information on each style:
RefWorks enables you to organise, store and share your references, as well as format them in a range of styles and export them as reference lists and bibliographies.
Visit our RefWorks guide to find out how to get started.