This module covers why information literacy skills matter and how to get started with a research project, including understanding the process, choosing a topic, and beginning research.
Tutorial: Why Information Literacy MattersThis tutorial shows how information literacy is relevant to your day-to-day life. Students will become familiar with their own information seeking habits, privilege, and skills used in their personal, academic, and professional lives.
Video: Life in the Information AgeTechnology is changing the way we locate, analyze, and share information. Use this video to introduce students to the evolving information landscape and their roles as responsible information consumers and creators.
Video Tutorial: Research ProcessPart 1 demonstrate the value of pre-research. Students will learn how to align their initial exploration to their assignment requirements. Part 2 walks students through the process of in-depth research, outlining, and writing. This video will also help students understand the cyclical nature of research.
Tutorial: Developing a Research FocusIn this tutorial, students will be introduced to pre-research techniques to determine the scope and depth of their research focus.
Video: How to Narrow Your TopicDo you have trouble selecting a topic for a research assignments? This video will outline the process to help students hone in on a compelling research topic with appropriate scope using strategies like strategic searching. Students will also understand the importance of open mindedness and flexibility in the research process.
Tutorial: Background Research TipsDetermining a manageable research question can be challenging. Use this tutorial to introduce strategies for aligning a research focus with assignment guidelines and research tools such as concept maps.
Video Tutorial: Beginning Research with Wikipedia/GooglePart 1 will help students understand the process of background research by introducing techniques for gathering background information using Google and Wikipedia. Part 2 helps students learn how to use their search results from Google and Wikipedia to gather additional information using Google Scholar and library databases.
Video: Thesis StatementsUse this video to help identify the purpose of your research efforts and construct evidence-based statements. Students will learn how to narrow in on a topic, conduct background research, and synthesize the existing body of evidence in order to craft a compelling argument.
Tutorial: Scholarship as ConversationUse this tutorial to encourage students to develop a scholarly mindset. In this tutorial, students will learn how their projects help build the body of work in a given field. Additionally, students will become familiar with the process of attribution and critical evaluation.
Tutorial: Research for Persuasive WritingThis tutorial will introduce students to the purpose and characteristics of persuasive writing in order to locate and select the most appropriate types of evidence to support their assignments. Students will also be able to evaluate both supporting and conflicting evidence in order to incorporate the appropriate types of evidence that will strengthen their position and present a nuanced view of their selected topic.
Video: Creating a Research PlanInformation overload can be a major roadblock in the research process. This video will help students conceptualize a research pathway and consider solutions to common research challenges.
Video: Framing a ProblemIf you are having trouble formulating a research question for assignments, start with this video to begin framing a problem. Students will learn the importance of asking open-ended questions and how to approach research as a process.
