Library Workshops - Spring 2009

General Information | Workshop Schedule | Student Learning Outcomes | Workshop Materials

General Information

• Please sign up for workshops at the dedicated computer at the library reference desk and make a note of the date and the time of the workshop for which you have signed up. You can try dropping in on a workshop, but first priority is given to students who have signed up.
• Workshops are held in room 201, on the second floor of the library.
• Be sure to arrive on time. Workshops begin promptly and no one will be admitted once the workshop has begun.
• Make sure you have your student ID number with you.
• Workshops last 60 minutes. Be prepared to stay the entire time or you will not get credit for attendance.
• If you lose your workshop attendance form, you may request a duplicate copy at the library reference desk.

Workshop Schedule - Spring 2009

Workshop Student Learning Outcomes

Get Started with Research

Students will be able to:

• Recognize the need for information and define a research topic by:
  • Articulating problems or issues, and framing appropriate preliminary research questions/thesis statements based on information need (Assessment includes pre- and post-test)
  • Identifying the types of resources (books, articles, web sites) that are appropriate for the project (Assessment includes pre- and post-test)
    
    
• Develop and implement an effective search strategy appropriate for an information need by:
  • Identifying search terms appropriate to the topic (Assessment includes pre- and post-test)

Online Library Catalogs

Students will be able to:

• Develop and implement an effective search strategy appropriate for an information need by:
  
  • Identifying search terms appropriate to the research tool and the topic (Assessment includes Exercises 1 and 2)
    
  • Transferring previously learned research skills to new projects (Assessment includes Exercise 2)

• Locate and retrieve information by:
  
  • Using online library catalogs effectively using various types of searches by author, title, or subject (Assessment includes Exercises 1 and 2)
  • Recognizing key elements of call numbers and using them to locate library materials (Assessment includes Exercises 1 and 2)

Journal, Magazine and Newspaper Articles

Students will be able to:

• Recognize the need for information and define a research topic by:
  • Identifying the types of materials (scholarly and popular) that are appropriate for the project (Assessment includes Exercise 1)
    

• Develop and implement an effective search strategy appropriate for an information need by:
  
  • Choosing and accessing appropriate information sources (scholarly and popular) for the research question (Assessment includes Exercise 2)
    
  • Identifying search terms appropriate to the research tool and the topic (Assessment includes Exercise 2)
    

• Locate and retrieve information by:
  
  • Using online databases effectively using strategies to broaden or narrow search (Assessment includes Exercise 2)
    
  • Accessing, manipulating, downloading, printing, or emailing relevant information (Assessment includes Exercise 2)

Credible Sources on the Web

Students will be able to:

• Develop and implement an effective search strategy appropriate for an information need by:
  
  • Choosing and accessing credible web sources for the research question (Assessment includes Exercises 2 and 3)
    

• Locate and retrieve information by:
  • Recognizing key elements of URLs, and using them to locate credible web sites (Assessment includes Exercises 2 and 3)
    

• Critically analyze and evaluate information by:
  
  • Distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources of information, scholarly and popular sources, substantiated facts, opinions, and points of view (Assessment includes Exercise 1)
    
  • Assessing the authority, accuracy, objectivity, relevance, reliability, completeness, and timeliness of information (Assessment includes Exercises 1, 2, and 3)

Cite Your Sources and Avoid Plagiarism

Students will be able to:

• Employ principles of ethical and legal use of information by:
  • Demonstrating awareness of the issues regarding plagiarism within the academic setting (Assessment includes pre- and post-test)
  • Creating accurate references using an appropriate citation style (Assessment includes pre- and post-test)

Critical Thinking about Information

Students will be able to:

• Develop and implement an effective search strategy appropriate for an information need by:
  • Choosing and accessing appropriate information sources for the research question (Assessment includes Exercises 1 and 2)
    
    
• Locate and retrieve information by:
  • Using resources effectively through browse and search functions (Assessment includes Exercises 1 and 2)
    
    
• Critically analyze and evaluate information by:
  • Distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources of information, scholarly and popular sources, substantiated facts, opinions, and points of view (Assessment includes Exercises 1 and 2)
    

Workshop Materials

Created by Billy Pashaie
Updated 04/21/2009 JA.