WRT 105: The Productive Researcher

Fall 2008

This session corresponds to Unit 2 (Analysis Unit) and supports the Writing Program Lower Division Learning Goal #4 for WRT 105: "Students will include critical research in their composing processes." The lesson is designed to be taught by Library staff, although Writing instructors are welcome to teach the session on their own using the lesson plan and materials below.

Description: A general overview of SU Library's online research tools, with a particular focus on helping students understand the Library web site as a gateway for identifying a variety of sources relevant to research-related assignments in WRT 105. This includes a focused introduction to effective and efficient information retrieval using SU Library's subscription databases. Instructional resources and guides will be shared to assist students in conducting research on their own.

Time Length: Can be adapted for either a 55-minute or 80-minute session.

Outcomes:

As a result of this session, students will:

1. Generate five keywords/short phrases to use as search terms for their topic.
2. Find information using SU Library's online research tools:
   1. Learn similarities and differences between SU Library’s three main online research tools (i.e., SUMMIT online catalog, Databases Menu, E-Journal Locator).
   2. Locate two databases for identifying articles on their topic - one general/interdisciplinary and one specific to a discipline.
   3. If appropriate to assignment, use Library database tools, and/or SUMMIT, to understand how to locate a non-article source pertinent to their topic (e.g., book, video, photographic image, music, map, etc.).
   4. Retrieve (print, e-mail, copy) the full-text version of one highly relevant source (article citation, article, book, video, etc.) by the end of the 50-80 minute session.
3. Distinguish between scholarly and popular sources.
4. Identify three criteria/evaluation questions to assess the quality of a resource.
5. Identify options for receiving additional research assistance.

Pre-Session Suggestions: Students complete two (2) SU Library “Welcome to the SU Library” tutorials entitled: “Library Website” (3 min.) and “Library Research Tools” (8 min.): http://library.syr.edu/instruction/tutorials/welcome/tutorials.html

Session Materials:

• Lesson Plan
• Worksheet
• Periodical Comparison Chart
• Research Starting Points Handout (web version)
• How do I Evaluate My Sources?

Supplemental Resource Guides

The following guides have been developed for classes exploring the following themes for Unit 2:

• Homeland (In)security
• The Politics of Visibility
• Reimagining the Normal
• The Rhetorical/Visual Analysis
• Representations of Global Poverty in Film

Please contact Abby Kasowitz-Scheer, head of instructional services/interim Writing Program liaison, with any questions.

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