ARE ARE YOUYOU READY READY FOR THE FOR THE FUTURE?FUTURE?

Top 10 Skills SFU & Top 10 Skills SFU & UBC Librarians and UBC Librarians and Profs Want 1Profs Want 1stst Year Year Students to HaveStudents to Have

Prepared by Chris Ball, UBC Library and Hope Power, SFU Library

1.1. How to search for a book, then use the How to search for a book, then use the call number to locate it in the stacks.call number to locate it in the stacks.

2.2. Know the difference between a book Know the difference between a book and a journal. How to tell from a and a journal. How to tell from a citation the type of source you are citation the type of source you are looking for.looking for.

3.3. The reason why and how to cite a The reason why and how to cite a source. (bibme.org is useful, but you source. (bibme.org is useful, but you need to know if it’s done correctly).need to know if it’s done correctly).

4.4. How to identify a scholarly source vs. How to identify a scholarly source vs. a popular source, and primary vs. a popular source, and primary vs. secondary sources – and know how to secondary sources – and know how to use them.use them.

5.5. Using google vs. using databases – Using google vs. using databases – what’s the benefit?what’s the benefit?

6.6. How to use databases such as How to use databases such as Academic Search Premier to search Academic Search Premier to search for scholarly journals.for scholarly journals.

7.7. How to search for and critically How to search for and critically evaluate websites (government, evaluate websites (government, personal, commercial, academic).personal, commercial, academic).

8.8. Understand what plagiarism is. The Understand what plagiarism is. The web has made “lifting” text, images, web has made “lifting” text, images, and audio so easy that you must and audio so easy that you must understand the fine line between understand the fine line between extensive quoting and misrepresenting extensive quoting and misrepresenting something as your own. Remember something as your own. Remember Academic Honesty?Academic Honesty?

9.9. How to formulate a research question How to formulate a research question and develop a thesis statement, and and develop a thesis statement, and then use research to support that then use research to support that statement. This is a core skill for any statement. This is a core skill for any discipline.discipline.

10.10. Help is available and it’s OK to ask Help is available and it’s OK to ask someone, (how about a librarian?), for someone, (how about a librarian?), for guidance. The only “stupid question” guidance. The only “stupid question” is the one that doesn’t get asked!is the one that doesn’t get asked!

And what do other And what do other post-secondary post-secondary

institutions say about institutions say about this list?this list?

““Thanks for this succinct and thoughtful list!” – Thanks for this succinct and thoughtful list!” – Capilano UniversityCapilano University

““It would be a huge help if students came into It would be a huge help if students came into the university system with at least one of these the university system with at least one of these skills!” – skills!” – Vancouver Island UniversityVancouver Island University

““Comparing your Top 10 list to our list of Comparing your Top 10 list to our list of undergraduate research tips, we are pretty undergraduate research tips, we are pretty much on the same page!” – much on the same page!” – University of University of VictoriaVictoria

““This is a pretty comprehensive list and frankly, This is a pretty comprehensive list and frankly, I’d be happy if 2nd+ Year students could do all I’d be happy if 2nd+ Year students could do all of this!” – of this!” – Royal Roads UniversityRoyal Roads University

More Feedback: And More Feedback: And what what about …?about …?

““Another point you might make is Another point you might make is searching for and within an electronic searching for and within an electronic book” – book” – Vancouver Island Vancouver Island UniversityUniversity

““One final skill that is not explicit in One final skill that is not explicit in your list is an understanding of the your list is an understanding of the information cycle -- both for content information cycle -- both for content and time frame … Can you list the Top and time frame … Can you list the Top 11??” – 11??” – Langara CollegeLangara College

There is more …There is more … Ontario Confederation Ontario Confederation

of University Faculty of University Faculty Associations Associations questionnaire (2009) of questionnaire (2009) of faculty and librarians:faculty and librarians:– Over 55% think that 1Over 55% think that 1stst

year students are less year students are less prepared for university prepared for university education than education than students from just 3 students from just 3 years agoyears ago

ANDAND

– The profs most often reported the The profs most often reported the following challenges among 1following challenges among 1stst year year students:students: Lower level of maturity Lower level of maturity Lack of required writing, mathematical Lack of required writing, mathematical

and critical thinking skills and critical thinking skills Poor research skills as evidenced by an Poor research skills as evidenced by an

over-reliance on Internet tools like over-reliance on Internet tools like Wikipedia as external research sources Wikipedia as external research sources

Expectation of success without the Expectation of success without the requisite effort requisite effort

Inability to learn independentlyInability to learn independently

And what do the And what do the university students university students say?say? What Today’s College Students Say about What Today’s College Students Say about

Conducting Research in the Digital AgeConducting Research in the Digital Age:: Head-Eisenberg survey (2009) identifies Head-Eisenberg survey (2009) identifies common, course-related research challenges:common, course-related research challenges:– Information overload (e.g. the more you know, the less Information overload (e.g. the more you know, the less

you know; it is depressing)you know; it is depressing)– Too much irrelevant information; cannot locate what is Too much irrelevant information; cannot locate what is

needed from the online resultsneeded from the online results– Trying to find the ‘perfect source’Trying to find the ‘perfect source’– Trouble finding books needed on library shelvesTrouble finding books needed on library shelves– Can find the citation online, but cannot find the fulltext Can find the citation online, but cannot find the fulltext

article in a databasearticle in a database– Finding statistical information online, etc.Finding statistical information online, etc.

Did you know 3.0

So what is to be done?

The top 3 keys to success:

1. ORGANIZE 2. ORGANIZE 3. ORGANIZE!

Study SkillsStudy Skills

Make good habits. Studies say it Make good habits. Studies say it takes 21 days to make a new habit.takes 21 days to make a new habit.

Plan (i.e. write in) study time into Plan (i.e. write in) study time into your daily schedule as you would any your daily schedule as you would any other appointment. other appointment.

Organize Your Study Organize Your Study SpaceSpace

Find a quiet, Find a quiet, comfortable (but comfortable (but not lying on your not lying on your bed!) place away bed!) place away from distractions, from distractions, have: have: tools at hand, tools at hand, good lighting, fresh air, good lighting, fresh air, not too hotnot too hot

Organization and Planning Organization and Planning TipsTips

Set personal Set personal goals/priorities – goals/priorities – write them down & write them down & post them near your post them near your study space: set long study space: set long and short term goalsand short term goals

Break down large Break down large tasks into smaller tasks into smaller chunkschunks

Be an active learnerBe an active learner Discipline yourselfDiscipline yourself Be persistentBe persistent

Set yourself deadlines – and stick to them!

“The job will always stretch to fill the time available.”

If you establish a schedule where you routinely stay up late at

night, it will seem normal to stay up late, and in fact you will stay

up late!

We are VISUAL learners

Organize your notes: Turn your notes into diagrams, cartoons, concept maps or flow charts – use lots of colour

A

B

C

Point A

Sub Point 1 Sub Point 2 Sub Point 3

Use visualization for Use visualization for new vocabulary and new vocabulary and conceptsconcepts Make associations with images, and Make associations with images, and

hold that in your mind’s eye for at hold that in your mind’s eye for at least 10 seconds.least 10 seconds.

For example, the Japanese word For example, the Japanese word ‘ahiru’ means ‘duck.’ So, you can ‘ahiru’ means ‘duck.’ So, you can imagine a duck with ‘a hero’ badge. imagine a duck with ‘a hero’ badge. Or ‘kaki’ means ‘oyster,’ so imagine Or ‘kaki’ means ‘oyster,’ so imagine a ‘car key’ made of oyster shell, etc.a ‘car key’ made of oyster shell, etc.

The goal of any study strategy should be

reviewInformation is rapidly

forgotten – to counter this you must convert short term

memory into long term memory

0

100

1 2 3 4 5

TIME

ME

MO

RY

RE

TE

NT

ION

(%)

TODAY ONE DAY LATER

7 DAYS LATER

2 WEEKS LATER

2 MONTHS LATER

ONE DAY LATER

7 DAYS LATER

2 WEEKS LATER

What happens to new What happens to new information over time?information over time?

What about with What about with review?review?

0

100

1 2 3 4 5

TIME

ME

MO

RY

RE

TE

NT

ION

(%

)

TODAY ONE DAY LATER

7 DAYS LATER

2 WEEKS LATER

2 MONTHS LATER

ONE DAY LATER

7 DAYS LATER

2 WEEKS LATER

Short term memory has become long

term memory

Make the information

relevantIf it has no significance or meaning to you why would your brain retain

it?Find a way to make the information important. Does it fit with your life’s

plan?

Tie new information to Tie new information to prior knowledgeprior knowledge Make abstract ideas into something Make abstract ideas into something

concrete and tangible.concrete and tangible. We remember experiences more

vividly than cold facts. Bring your study to life in your mind.

Use mnemonics (rhymes or acronyms Use mnemonics (rhymes or acronyms used to aid memory). Ex: “used to aid memory). Ex: “EEvery very AAdult dult DDog og GGrows rows BBig ig EEars” are the strings of ars” are the strings of a guitar.a guitar.

Other Tips:

Don’t forget to back up your work Don’t forget to back up your work regularly regularly

Email yourself a copy of your assignment: Email yourself a copy of your assignment: use rich text format (.rtf)use rich text format (.rtf)

Take regular breaks (5 min/hr). Make your Take regular breaks (5 min/hr). Make your break active – do some jumping jacks!break active – do some jumping jacks!

In-class essays – plan for at least 5 In-class essays – plan for at least 5 minutes by preparing an outline before minutes by preparing an outline before you start writingyou start writing

Studies show…

Students who read for pleasure regularly do better in all subject areas.

As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.” Sasse, Arthur. Einstein's tongue. 1951. Flickr. Web. 5 Jan.

2009.

Play sudoku and read aloud whenever you can!

"Amazon.com: Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!: Nintendo DS." N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000EGELP0/ref=dp_otherviews_2?

ie=UTF8&s=videogames&img=2>.

Find a group to study Find a group to study with.with.

Make it fun!Make it fun!

Research: The OverviewResearching is like being an information detective; you

will have to:– Follow clues– Track down a variety of sources – Narrow in on a topic

Interesting Manageable

– Compile your data Take careful notes Record your sources

– Be selective, critical and organized– Present your evidence – Cite your sources

BCTLA

Define Your Topic

• Start with an idea, then use• A dictionary: define your terms• General background information from

encyclopaedias, etc.• Next: skim & scan

• Specialized reference materials• Build an outline = a game plan for your

research• Final goal:

• Narrow down or expand your final topic • Must be manageable

Information Gathering:Finding The Right Tool for the

Job When are books a good idea? When is wikipedia or a general internet

search a good idea? (Surface Web) When are the databases a good idea? (Deep

Web)

Learn how to limit your search (- and + in google, Boolean searching, advanced search options).

What are other options? – specific subject search engines (ex

scirus.com), interview an expert, search out transcripts, read your textbook!

Information Gathering:Dealing with copious amounts

of information Do not just do it all the night before!

Set a project schedule. Keep a research journal Synthesize the information

– an active process Taking notes: summarize, paraphrase

or direct quotation– be strict about recording bibliographic

data– clearly indicate your own words

Information Gathering: Information Gathering: Finding Scholarly Sources Finding Scholarly Sources

Using Academic Search PremierUsing Academic Search Premier Chemistry: Journal of Chemical Chemistry: Journal of Chemical

Physics, Clinical and Laboratory Physics, Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, Mini-Reviews in Organic Medicine, Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry.Chemistry.

Physics: Journal of Applied Physics: Journal of Applied Physics, Contemporary Physics, Physics, Contemporary Physics, AIP (American Institute of Physics) AIP (American Institute of Physics) Conference Proceedings.Conference Proceedings.

Biology: Bioscience, Molecular Biology: Bioscience, Molecular Ecology, BMC (Bioinformatics)Ecology, BMC (Bioinformatics)

Geography: Geographical Review, Geography: Geographical Review, Social and Cultural Geography, Social and Cultural Geography, Gender, Place and Culture: A Gender, Place and Culture: A Journal of Feminist GeographyJournal of Feminist Geography

Psychology: North American Psychology: North American Journal of Psychology, Annals of Journal of Psychology, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Journal of Counseling and DevelopmentCounseling and Development

History: History Today, Journal of History: History Today, Journal of American History, Journal of American History, Journal of Social HistorySocial History

English: *remember not to look at English: *remember not to look at criticism until your 2criticism until your 2ndnd draft – draft – come up with your own direction come up with your own direction first! Journal of Modern first! Journal of Modern Literature, Papers on Language Literature, Papers on Language and Literature, Narrativeand Literature, Narrative

Academic Honesty

"Academic honesty must be seen as a set of values and skills that promote personal integrity and good practice in teaching, learning and assessment."  

Academic Honesty, IBO document

Works CitedWorks Cited

Only add resources that you have Only add resources that you have usedused

Do not make up citations, or guess Do not make up citations, or guess about the informationabout the information

Check with your sponsor regularly – Check with your sponsor regularly – formatting is a terrible way to lose formatting is a terrible way to lose marks!marks!

Check your EE package for more info.Check your EE package for more info.

Library Web Page Highlights

*Link to Webcat and Databases (Our Digital

Library)*Fine Literature List

*2009 MLA guidelines*Research Tools

*This Powerpoint & Top 10 list!

Remember, Churchill Library has great

resources!

Remember…

Point #10: Help is available and it’s Point #10: Help is available and it’s OK to ask for guidance. The OK to ask for guidance. The only “stupid question” is the one only “stupid question” is the one that doesn’t get asked!that doesn’t get asked!

And don’t forget !

to take time for fun and relaxation – overloading your

brain can be counterproductive!

The End…