library 101: how to help your students become better researchers ta/tm day i fall 2012 september 7,...

Library 101: How to Help Your Students Become

Better Researchers

TA/TM Day I Fall 2012September 7, 2012

Andrea Cameron, Librarian Yolanda Koscielski, Librarian

Google versus Library Databases

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URk_lOLOpDI&feature=related

-Nashville State Mayfield Library

[Learning Objectives]

1. Know what it means to be information literate2. Understand how students approach the research

process, and where they struggle3. Be familiar with the suite of library resources and

services available to students

[Discussion]

• Think back to your first experiences with academic research… – What challenges did you encounter?– How did you overcome these challenges?– How did you feel (before/during/after the

research process)?– What most helped you to become a good

researcher?

Who are your students?

[Who Are Your Students?]

• 30,091 undergrads• 67.2% between the ages of 18 – 22 • 53% work full/part time • 72% reported using library’s quiet study

space• 27% reported attending library workshops or

consultationsSource: SFU Institutional Research and

Planning, ttp://www.sfu.ca/irp.html

[Millennials]• Ambitious, achieving• Team-oriented• Tech savvy, social networkers• Expect immediate results• Prefer to learn by doing• Weak communication skills • Want information that is quick and accessible• Do not understand that research takes time• Settle for good enough search results• Intellectually skimming

Source: Aubele et al. (2007)

[From Secondary to Post-Secondary Education]

Research skills gaps:o Do not understand scholarly information typeso Do not know how to develop sophisticated search

strategieso Do not know how to evaluate information foundo Do not know how to think critically about

information foundSource: Salisbury & Karasmanis (2011)

[How Millennial Are We?]

• Pew Research Center – How Millennial Are You: The Quizhttp://pewresearch.org/millennials/quiz/index.php

[ACRL Information Literacy Standards]

An information literate student is able to…– Determine what kind of information is needed.– Access the needed information effectively and efficiently – Evaluate information and its sources critically– Use information effectively to accomplish a specific

purpose– Understand the economic, legal and social issues

surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

-Adapted from ACRL’s Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, adopted in 2000

[Kuhlthau’s ISP Model (2004)]

Six Stages1) Task Initiation2) Topic Selection3) Prefocus Exploration4) Focus Formulation5) Information Collection6) Search Closure

Corresponding Moods1) Apprehensive, uncertain2) Cautiously optimistic3) Confused, doubtful4) Confident, engaged5) Interested, purposeful6) Relief

[Common Research Roadblocks]

“Can you explain this

assignment to me?”

“I can’t find any information on globalization.”

“What is peer-review? Where do I find it?” “How do I cite my sources?”

“I have a research

paper due

tomorrow, and I

don’t know where

to start.”

“Can’t I just

Google it?”

“I don’t think my TA

expects us to do that

much research.”

“I have a citation – how do I get the article?”

[Links]

• SFU Library website• SFU Library Writing & Style Guides• Plagiarism Tutorial• Journal Articles & Databases• Research Guides by Subject• Attend a Library Workshop• Student Learning Commons• Resources to Enhance Your Teaching

[Thank you! Questions?]

• Andrea Cameron, amcamero@sfu.ca• Yolanda Koscielski, ysk6@sfu.ca

[References]• Aubele, J. et al. (2007). Technology impact on information needs and behaviours of

the academic community (pp.1-17). In L.S.J. Farmer (Ed.), The human side of reference and information services in academic libraries. Oxford: Chandos. (pp. 2-8)

• Hennessey, S. (2009). Information literacy: Finding information. Sudbury, ON: College Sector Committee on Adult Upgrading. Retrieved from http://troy.lib.sfu.ca/record=b5626298~S1a

• Holiday, W. & Qin, L. (2004). Understanding the millennials: Updating our knowledge about students. Reference Services Review, 32(4), 356-366, http://ejournals.ebsco.com/Direct.asp?AccessToken=2999F998S9YXBFX9B2EWFB212YLZ8FY99F&Show=Object

• Kuhlthau, C.C. (2004). Seeking meaning : a process approach to library and information services. 2nd ed. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.

• Salisbury, F. & Karasmanis, S. (2011). Are they ready? Exploring student information literacy skills in the transition from secondary to tertiary education. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 42(1), p. 45.