TRAILS: Teaching Research And Information Literacy Skills

 

TRAILS Menu

Introductory Sessions

Resources & Services

Database Searching

Research Process

Subject-Specific Collections

Instruction Options in Detail IV. The Research Process About Trails ||| View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form |||

 

| The Human Element | Evaluating Sources | Citing Sources | Avoiding Plagiarism |
| Google & Beyond | Selecting a Research Topic | Ask the Librarian |

A. Research - The Human Element	Time: 30 Minutes	Description: This session provides an introduction to strategies for identifying individuals and groups most knowledgeable in a field or discipline (e.g., experts, trade associations, labor unions, political parties, societies, government agencies, etc.). Resources highlighted may include subject guide web pages created by SU librarians, "Associations Unlimited" database, biographical dictionaries, "CQ Researcher" database, "Lexis Nexis Statistical" database, "Statistical Abstract of the United States," Market Share Reporter, pressure groups directories, Congressional hearing transcripts, and directories of learned institutions.	Suggested Prerequisites: None
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Access library tools for identifying associations and other core groups with relevance, and sometimes with institutional repositories, pertinent to a discipline. Identify the SU Library subject specialist for their discipline. Identify options for receiving additional research assistance. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form

B. Evaluating Your Sources	Time: 50-80 Minutes	Description: This session provides tips and techniques for critical evaluation of various sources retrieved during the research process based on a defined set of criteria.	Suggested Prerequisites: Online Research Tools
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Recognize the main ideas expressed in a source. Identify criteria used to evaluate print and online sources, such as bias, authority of authorship, accuracy of content, timeliness/currency of information, effective presentation design, etc. Compare and contrast information within various sources (i.e., looking for examples of agreement, contradiction and/or synthesis). Compare new information located in sources to their own personal values system and knowledge base. Identify options for receiving additional research assistance. Longer sessions may also prepare students to: Understand options for expanded understanding and critical evaluation of retrieved sources such as: discussion with colleagues, faculty or librarians; seeking additional expert opinion (e.g., via interviews, email, blogs, listservs); and embarking upon further research. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form

C. Citing Sources	Time: 30 Minutes	Description: This session provides an introduction to SU Library resources designed to help identify appropriate documentation styles for citing the sources used during research projects.	Suggested Prerequisites: None
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Identify the citation style(s) appropriate to their discipline or intended publication outlet. Locate the print and online citation style guides available at SU Library. Demonstrate an ability to accurately cite sources using these style guidelines. Become familiar with options for receiving additional research assistance. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form

D. Avoiding Plagiarism	Time: 30 Minutes	Description: This session provides an overview of the economic, legal and social issues surrounding plagiarism and strategies for avoiding it in research.	Suggested Prerequisites: Review SU Library's Avoiding Plagiarism web guide.
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Understand some of the differences (and disputes) over legal and illegal retrieval and dissemination of text, images, data and sounds. Know how and when to properly credit the sources of the direct quotations and paraphrasing appearing within their research papers/projects. Understand when citation to outside sources is and is not required. Understand how to obtain additional information about copyright law, education "fair use" exceptions, and Syracuse University "academic integrity" policies. Identify options for receiving additional research assistance. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form

E. Google & Beyond: The World Wide Web as a Research Tool	Time: 50-80 Minutes	Description: This session provides tips and techniques for effectively and efficiently finding useful sources for research via the World Wide Web.	Suggested Prerequisites: None
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Understand a brief historical timeline of the development of the World Wide Web. Recognize the different types of resources available on the web (e.g., "free vs. fee," primary and secondary). Apply criteria for evaluating online sources, such as evaluation of bias, authorship, accuracy of content, timeliness & currency of information, effective/accessible graphic design, etc. Become familiar with options for receiving additional research assistance. Longer sessions may also prepare students to: Conduct focused Web searches (i.e., uncovering the "hidden web" by identifying key individuals, associations, organizations and publications relevant to their topic(s)). Compare the search functions, strengths and weaknesses of several online search engines and directories (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Dogpile, etc.) and understand limitations of web searching. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form

F. Selecting a Research Topic	Time: 30-50 Minutes	Description: This session provides assistance to students in defining an effective research topic. A librarian will guide students through an exercise designed to help them test and revise initial topic ideas.	Suggested Prerequisites: None
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Select a topic that is appropriate for conducting research. Use library tools and reference sources to conduct preliminary "testing" of a topic (i.e., determine if sufficient resources exist on the topic). Understand how to broaden or narrow a research topic in order to yield the best results. Identify options for receiving additional research assistance. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form

G. Ask the Librarian Information Sessions	Time: 30-80 Minutes	Description: This session is an informal discussion whereupon students can explore general and specific questions about their research projects, about SU Library or about the world of research in general. Sessions may take place in the Library or the classroom. The recommended timing is just before or after a research paper/project is submitted and graded.	Suggested Prerequisites: None
Outcomes: As a result of this session, students will: Identify areas of potential improvement to the research aspects of their projects or papers. Expand their understanding of the research process based on questions of interest to them. View the TRAILS Instruction Request Form