Creating a well design research project:
- Set objectives for research skills to be acquired and make them clear to the students
- Teach research strategies
- Provide resource lists as a starting point
- Avoid common problems:
- Forbidding the use of the “Internet”—research databases and scholarly journals are on the Internet
- Asking the entire class to look for one piece of information or research one specific topic
- Vague or general topics
- Scavenger hunts to answer obscure questions
- Take advantage of support services in the library
- Librarians can help teach research strategies and lead students to quality resources.
- Request a library instruction session for your students
Example Activities
Compare Two Sources
Purpose: Learn to search for articles, the differences between scholarly and popular publications, and become aware of the impact of the author’s background, intent, and audience on the information presented
- Identify opposing viewpoints on a controversial topic and choose one view to work with
- Compare one article from a scholarly publication and one from a popular magazine that support that view (UP)
- How do the two works differ? What type of evidence do they provide?
- Consider content, style, bias, audience
- Alternatives: compare articles from conservative and liberal sources, different disciplines, a journal article & website, a personal and organizational website; domestic and foreign sources
Real-Life Case Study
Purpose: Simulates the application of information skills in the work world--preparing a presentation requires the ability to identify, synthesize, express ideas concisely, and rely on data and sources to support those ideas (CU)
- Imagine that you are a health care worker, customer service representative, computer technician, lab technician, etc.
- Use current magazine and/or journal articles to develop guidelines on how to deal with an issue common in that career
- You are a museum director, corporation owner, manager, administrator, scientist, etc.
- Justify an expensive new business purchase to your board of directors by researching the topic
- Make a handout of talking points supporting your recommendation
Career Exploration
Purpose: Introduces the interview as an information source, develops an appreciation for the value of reference sources, and simulates a real world activity
- Using a variety of sources, gather information on a career relating to the content of the course
- Interview an individual working in the career
- Write an encyclopedia article describing the training needed, qualifications, earnings potential, job outlook, etc.
- Write a job announcement for the position
Peer Evaluation
Purpose: Students familiarize themselves with criteria for evaluating sources and learning about others' perspectives
- Find a source that may be used for an upcoming assignment
- Exchange the source with a classmate
- Use the CRAAP Method or SIFT Method to evaluate the source (worksheets found on Evaluation Frameworks page)
- Classmates discuss and compare evaluations
Group Evaluation (Using Lateral Reading)
Purpose: Students reflect on their own evaluation techniques and engage with lateral reading strategies
- Assign a group of students a website for evaluation
- Students describe what criteria they use to evaluate the reliability of the site
- Students watch video on how to use lateral reading
- Classmates discuss and compare their evaluation approach versus lateral reading
Sources:
Carroll Community College
Group Evaluation (Using Lateral Reading) Activity from University of Louisville (Ekstrom Library)
