Library Research Presentation

The University 101 Library Research Presentation is designed to help students through the process of finding and evaluating information for a specific research project in your University 101 class.

Learning Outcomes

The Library Presentation supports University 101 learning outcomes:

I. Foster Academic Success

b) Demonstrate how to evaluate information sources and utilize University libraries and information systems for academic inquiry.

As a result of this presentation, students will be able to:

• Break down a topic in order to develop appropriate search terms
  
  
• Understand the purpose of the library catalog and article databases in order to determine where best to start research on a given topic
  
  
• Apply search terms to the library catalog and article databases in order to effectively and efficiently locate books and articles
  
  
• Comprehend basic record information in the library catalog and article databases in order to retrieve books and articles
  
  
• Apply a set of criteria to an information source in order to determine the quality and usefulness
  

Program Description

You may choose to schedule a library visit with a reference librarian to walk your students through the process of finding and evaluating information for a specific research project in your UNIV 101 class. The session will not be scripted, but rather will be based on your specific assignment's research requirements. If the library research session is chosen, your students must complete the online tutorial prior to the presentation as the session will be predicated upon the assumption that the students all have the basic skills covered in the tutorial. The online tutorial will introduce students to the basics of research (i.e. finding background information, the purpose of the library catalog, the purpose of an article database). The session itself will consist of a brief follow-up of the information covered in the online tutorial, breaking down a topic as a group, and working on students’ research, as a class and individually. It will conclude with the class evaluating results (hopefully drawn from individual students’ research) for authority and objectivity.

The librarian assigned to teach your session will contact you at least one week beforehand to review the assignment the class will be working on. If you’re not sure if a research assignment you've planned to use will work with the format of the Library Research session, please contact Karen Brown (777-4267 or kwbrown@mailbox.sc.edu) or another reference librarian, and they will be happy to work with you to make sure it does.

If you prefer to lead the library research session yourself and would like use the electronic classrooms in the library, please contact Francess Murray at 777-6244 to schedule an appointment to review the resources you will be covering and the classroom equipment.