better research papers: workshop your handout - faculty workshop

Better Research Papers: Workshop

Your HandoutMargot Hanson and Michele Van Hoeck

Tuesday, August 26th 20142:00-3:30 PM, Library Green Room

Today’s Agenda2:00

2:20

2:40

3:05

3:15

Welcome• Project Information Literacy research findings

Small Group Activity• Evaluation of sample handout

Individual Activity and Group Discussion• Evaluate and redesign your own handout

Resources• Help for Research Guidance and Support

Closing and Evaluation

When you review research assignments, what do you see students struggling with

most?

https://todaysmeet.com/BetterResearchPapers

"Truth Be Told: How College Students Evaluate and Use Information in the Digital Age," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information Literacy Progress Report, November 1, 2010.

MAJOR FINDINGS

"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project

Information Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

83% of handouts in our sample called for the

standard research paper. Few handouts asked

students to present findings using other formats,

including multimedia and oral presentations.

"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project

Information Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

Six in 10 handouts recommended students

consult the library shelves—a place-based source—more

than scholarly research databases, the library

catalog, the Web, or…any other resource.

"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project

Information Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

Few of the handouts (14%) that directed students to use the libraryʼs online scholarly

research databases…specified which database to use…from the hundreds that

tend to be available.

"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project

Information Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

Details about plagiarism, if mentioned at all, were scant and tended to emphasize the

disciplinary recourse instructors would take

against students who were caught in acts of academic

dishonesty.

"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project

Information Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

Few of the handouts provided information for

contacting instructors when students had questions

about a research assignment, whether by email, face-to-face, the telephone, or in online

forums.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Add Situational Context

Why are students being asked to engage in a pedagogical research exercise in a certain course in the first place?

Peel back the layers of the knowledge production process and what it means in the academic environment, in a given discipline, in a given class.

Add Information-Gathering Context

Research assignments, in general, should have students learn how to derive information from multiple and diverse formats.

Ask for Help

Contact a librarian and/or CETL for help, ideas, and inspiration.

HOT TIPS

Adapted from Maricopa Community College District Libraries

Verify and sample resources available at the library

Model with a sample paper

http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/mla-sample-research-paper.gif

Experiment with short, less overwhelming essays or

projects

Scaffold by providing steps & support structure for students

Flickr user Ron Cogswell

Teach students to select quality information &

Evaluate sources appropriate to their topics

Open Clipart

Offer a reasonable time frame & mini deadlines for the

assignment

Be clear with the citation style & format. Offer examples!

Encourage students to ask for help

Invite a librarian to class!

"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project

Information Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

76% of students surveyed considered written guidelines

about course-related assignments to be one of the

most helpful materials an instructor can provide.

EVALUATION TIME!