CPS Online Library Research Guide (UNH Manchester Library): Developing Effective Library Research Assignments

Develop introductory assignments that allow students to practice basic research skills:

• locate, summarize, analyze sources
• develop an annotated bibliographies
• create a research log or journal
• edit "Wikipedia" articles
• examine coverage of a controversial topic in several sources
• brainstorm key terms to use in order to find information on a given topic
• compare internet and database searches on a precise search topic; compare the findings

Spend some class time discussing the research process

• how information is structured
• what resources are appropriate at different stages and complexity of a research assignment.

Use a series of small assignments independent of the final project that are designed to familiarize students with wide variety of information resources, practice using the GSC library resources, and articulate their own best research practices.

Characteristics of an Effective Course-Related Research Assignment

• Has a specific, understood purpose.
• Relates to some aspect of course subject matter or learning objectives.
• Leads to increased understanding of a subject or the process of locating information related to a subject.
• Makes students aware of the variety of information sources and formats available (e.g., print, electronic, video, etc).It
• Teaches students to select and evaluate quality information sources appropriate to their topics.
• Reinforces habits of ethical scholarship.

Schedule an in-class or online workshop with the GSC Librarian

Some Guidance on Library Research Assignments

Make sure you check with the GSC Librarian before you assign a research project. This allows time for the Librarian to plan how best to link the student with appropriate and available resources.

• If the assignment requires the use of specific sources, give the students a list of them and make arrangements with the GSC Librarian to guarantee that students will have the support and guidance they need.
• If it involves the use of complex sources or unfamiliar research strategies, your students will need to be oriented to these- schedule a customized library instruction session with the GSC Librarian.
• 

If students have difficulty understanding what they are supposed to do, they will have trouble doing it. Give assignments in writing (rather than orally). Use correct and unambiguous terminology. Students tend to interpret research assignments literally and are easily confused by terms that they don't understand or a librarian cannot interpret definitively.
• Examples of common research assignment problems are:

 Some instructors differentiate between magazines and journals, while others use the terms interchangeably. It is very helpful to use the terms academic journal or periodical. This is consistent with the terminology used in the student's Research Guide
 .
•  It is very helpful for you to also know how to use the GSC Discovery Service and how they might access additional databases at other NHCUC libraries.

• Do your students know what the phrases "peer-reviewed journal" and "primary vs. secondary sources" mean in your discipline?
 Use full and current titles of journals; avoid abbreviations and superseded titles.


• Check your assignments regularly so that you are not asking your students to use outdated modes of access. Contact the GSC Librarian for assistance as needed
.
• 
Reasonable Time Frame
 - Do the assignment yourself to see how long it takes before you decide how long students need to do it, allowing for their limited perspective and inexperience and for movement of materials.
• 

Pitfalls to Avoid

: Assuming most students know the language of research
. Do not assume that your students know what an annotated bibliography is, the difference between APA or MLA format, or other terms that you might be very familiar with. The Research Glossary is helpful as well as full explanations and examples as needed.
Assuming most students know the basics
Do not assume that your students have had prior experience using an academic library, a prior orientation to a library, or that their general orientation is relevant to your assignment.
Requiring resources not available
.
• A scavenger hunt is one of the
 least effective research assignments you can give. It lacks a clear purpose, does not teach students to do meaningful library research, and may be frustrating. Librarians rather than students frequently end up locating the answers. If, in spite of these warnings, you wish nonetheless to use a scavenger hunt, Contact the GSC Librarian for assistance in building a meaningful, workable assignment.



Most plagiarism at GSC is the result of the student not understanding the proper use of resources and how to correctly cite the sources they use. The Librarian in partnership with other faculty will work with students and provide resources for students to develop research skills aimed at avoiding these problems.

Here are a few suggestions: 

• Spend some time explaining what constitutes plagiarism in its various forms.

• Teach students how to paraphrase and how to cite sources.
• 
Give students a set of topics from which to choose and change topics frequently.

• Do not allow last-minute topic changes.
• Require students to submit annotated bibliographies, research notes, outlines, or drafts.

• Require precise formatting for papers according to teh correct manual of style for your discipline.
• Give pop quiz on paper contents.
• 
Require an oral report in addition to paper.

• Assign narrowly focused topics, rather than broad, general ones.

• Use very current topics to lessen chance of papers being available on the internet.

• Structure the writing assignment as a series of steps with checkpoints.

• 
Check the working bibliography early in the assignment.
• 
Require all resources to be current, no earlier than the last 5 years.

Adapted from: Ann Lathrop and Kathleen Foss, Student Cheating and Plagiarism in the Internet Era.
Bernard Whitley, Jr. and Patricia Keith-Spiegel, Academic Dishonesty.