About Research Services
The Research Services Team is comprised of 5 librarians with varying academic backgrounds who focus on teaching information skills across the curriculum. We partner with faculty to incorporate information literacy concepts and library research skills into programs of study at all levels and in all subject areas. Our work can take many forms ranging from traditional face to face class sessions to Canvas modules to interactive online tutorials.
The basic principles that guide our teaching are: student engagement, active learning, relevance, transferable skills, and critical thinking.
Examples of the concepts and skills we teach:
- Understanding the information landscape
- Understanding steps in the academic research process
- Developing a focused, answerable research question
- Identifying and using keywords for effective searching
- Identifying source types and how to use them in research
- How to locate and use specific scholarly resources
- How to locate and use primary source materials, statistics, data sets, etc.
- How to assemble a literature review or annotated bibliography
- Strategies for evaluating sources for credibility and relevance
- Understanding and detecting bias in sources and websites
- Understanding authorship, citation style and avoiding plagiarism
Research Instruction: Common Questions
If you find your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Do you offer online instruction on library research?
Yes! We offer both synchronous online instruction, where we visit your class online, and asynchronous online instruction, where we help develop tutorials, videos, quizzes, or other instructional materials for your class.
How far in advance should I schedule my class?
If possible, please try to contact us to schedule your session at least a week in advance of when you would like to bring your students. Our calendars get very crowded and we need enough lead time to ensure that both a librarian and a classroom are available, and that we have time to plan and develop a customized session that meets the needs of your students and your research assignment.
What if I need to reschedule my library session?
Research instruction works best when it happens at the right time in the curriculum. If your curriculum has changed, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will gladly reschedule to fit your students’ needs. Contact Lane Wilkinson to let him know!
Can I bring my night or weekend class for library instruction?
Absolutely!
Do I need to bring my class to the library, or can someone come to my classroom?
The library has several computer labs specifically designed for instruction, so most in-person classes take place in the library. However, we are happy to visit your classroom if you think that would be more appropriate for your needs.