Consult with a Reference Librarian before the assignment
- Sending a copy of your assignment to the reference librarian will ensure that the staff is prepared to help your students when needed
- The reference librarian can help you ensure that the library has the needed resources to complete the assignment
- Schedule a library research instruction session in class time. Your involvement supports student learning
- Consider online librarian support through online course chat and use of research guides
Assume minimal library knowledge. All students need an introduction to research skills
- Types of resources appropriate for the task: books (catalog), articles (databases), primary sources, statistics...
- Terminology in the library and in the discipline
- Library tools specific to the discipline
- Research journals v popular magazines v trade periodicals
- Primary & secondary sources
- Developing a research strategy
- Web evaluation
- Citation management
- Plagiarism
Design assignments that reinforce research skills
- Articulate your specific learning outcomes
- Describe the research steps the student would expect to follow
- Offer advice on creating research questions, selecting information sources, assessing sources, or the structure of the paper
- Describe what the finished product should look like
- Describe how the research process will be assessed
- Split research assignments into a variety of tasks throughout the quarter to gradually build research skills by giving feedback at each stage
- Discuss time management
- Encourage students to use various production techniques (papers, paosters, presentations, webpages, video, etc.) to present the results of their research
Avoid the following types of assignments
- Large classes working from a limited selection of topics
- Scavenger hunts. These do not teach students how to use the library effectvely
- Search for obscure facts or topics. Avoid student and staff frustration
Use library RESERVES to give access to limited sources