Spring 2017
COURSE DESCRIPTION
“Library Research Skills is a course focusing on both the concepts and skills needed to conduct library research with an emphasis on electronic information sources. The purpose of the course is to provide individuals with a basic understanding of the library research process and the skills by which they can successfully find information for research, presentations, and other class assignments” (from the course catalog).
The general work of the course will be about exploring the scholarly conversation and contributing to the dialogue with your own research and writing. We will also ask broad questions about information: what it is, why it is important, and how we can use information to build knowledge. The class is structured to be a student-centered, inquiry-based learning community. In terms of assigned work, there will be weekly discussions on D2L, 3 worksheets, and 2 self-evaluations throughout the term (more on this below). The final project for the course will be a literature review in which you synthesize and cite the scholarly conversation around a topic of your choice.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
-
- Understand and become comfortable with the research process
-
- Think critically about information sources and the broad scholarly conversation
- Contribute to the scholarly dialogue through your own research and writing.
D2L
This is a fully online course with no regular meeting time. You will access class materials and assignments on your own time. You can log in to D2L at https://ecat.montana.edu/. In order to access the D2L component of this course, you need to know your NetID and password. For help, see the password help page at http://password.montana.edu/. For D2L help, you can call the main support telephone line at 406-994-3255 or email D2L Help at ecat@montana.edu. If you need any assistance during the course that D2L support cannot provide, please let me know.
REQUIRED TEXTS
There is no required text to purchase. Our course readings will be provided through the syllabus, and are subject to change as the semester progresses.
OFFICE HOURS
I am available to meet by appointment—either in-person, by phone, or via Google Hangouts or WebEx. I’m always happy to meet with you to discuss the course or just to chat. This is the most effective way for me to give you individual attention and get to know you better. I encourage you to meet with me as early in the semester as possible, especially if you have any particular questions or concerns. I’m also always available by email.
ASSIGNMENTS
Weekly discussion forum posts and replies: The class will have weekly online discussions, during which we’ll share ideas, perspectives, and experiences relating to the topics each week. By connecting with a small community of classmates via your weekly discussion groups, I hope you’ll be able to build rapport and feel comfortable voicing your opinions.
Worksheets: There will be three worksheets throughout the semester. The worksheets aim to help you put into practice the concepts you learn from our readings.
Self Evaluations: You’ll complete a midterm and final self-evaluation in which you’ll reflect on your experience in the class. Additional details below.
Final Project: Your final project will be a short literature review that summarizes and synthesizes the scholarly conversation around your topic of choice. I’ll provide more details on the final project as the semester progresses.
WEEKLY THEMES
| Week 1. January 11-17 | Introductions, set learning goals, review the syllabus.
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, January 15 |
| Week 2. January 18-24 | The information landscape/data deluge.
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, January 22 |
| Week 3. January 25-31 | Types of resources
Discussion forum posts due after spring break by 11:59pm on Sunday, January 29 |
| Week 4. February 1-7 | Developing a research topic
No discussion forum post this week. Worksheet 1: Narrowing your research question for the final project. Due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, February 7 |
| Week 5. February 8-14 | Research with Google Scholar and citation managers
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, February 12 |
| Week 6. February 15-21 | Refining your search strategy, searching Library databases
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Monday, January 20 |
| Week 7. February 22-28 | Evaluating information sources
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, February 226 Worksheet 2: Identifying and evaluating sources for your research question. Due by 11:59pm on Monday, February 28 |
| Week 8. March 1-7 |
Midterm self-evaluation. Due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, March 7 |
| Week 9. March 8-10 |
Reading academic articles
Discussion forum posts due after spring break by 11:59pm on Sunday, March 19 |
| Week 10. March 11-19 | Spring break |
| Week 11. March 20-28 |
Digital dualism
Worksheet 3 assigned (due at the end of week 12—11:59pm on Tuesday, April 4) Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, March 26 |
| Week 12. March 29-April 4 | Synthesizing resources for your literature review
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 2 Worksheet 3: Literature review synthesis matrix and bibliography. Due by 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 4 |
| Week 13. April 5-11 |
Plagiarism and copyright
Final project assigned (due at the end of week 15—by 11:59pm on Tuesday, April 25) Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 9 |
| Week 14. April 12-18 |
Ethics and privacy
Discussion forum posts due by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 16 |
| Week 15. April 19-25 |
Final Project: Literature review. Due by 11:59pm on April 25 |
| Final week. April 26-May 2 |
Final self-evaluation. Due by 11:59pm on May 2 |
GRADING
For this class, you will make a recommendation to me for your final grade (A, B, or C, with lower grades at my discretion), based on the completion of certain conditions outlined below. While I am responsible for assigning final course grades, you will evaluate your own work throughout the semester. Your self-evaluations are important components of my calculations for final course grades. Therefore, I encourage you to be thoughtful, constructively critical, and detailed in all of your self-evaluations.
I ask each student to meet briefly with me in January or February to define personal learning goals that will serve as general guides through the semester.
At the middle of the term, you will write a midterm self-evaluation that reflects on your work and contributions throughout the course. You will complete a similar self-evaluation at the end of the term. The self-evaluations are intended to serve as helpful reflective exercises in which you document your process and overall progress. Your self-evaluations are key to informing my evaluation of your work. Your self-evaluations will also inform adjustments to the course as we progress together.
Throughout the course I will not be putting letter or number grades on individual assignments. I will add questions and comments that engage with your work. You will be reflecting carefully on your own work and engaging thoughtfully with the work of your peers. The intention here is to create a more open and organic learning experience rather than a prescriptive grade-driven experience. If this process causes more anxiety than it alleviates, contact me at any point to talk about your performance in the course to date. If you are worried about your grade, the best approach is to actively join the discussions, do the reading, and complete the projects with sincere interest. You should consider this course a “busy-work-free zone.” If an assignment does not feel productive, please talk with me—we’ll work together to modify the assignment to fit your needs.
GRADE CONDITIONS
An “A” Grade
-
- Miss a maximum of one discussion forum post and 2 replies
-
- Participate with good faith and generosity in all discussions
-
- Complete all three worksheets on time, demonstrating excellent critical engagement with each topic.
-
- Complete the midterm and final self-evaluation with sincere self-reflection and reflecting an excellent grasp of course readings and discussions
-
- Complete a final project that: (1) demonstrates excellent critical engagement with class discussions, readings, and assignments; (2) shows that you’ve mastered new research skills
- Meet with me at least once over the course of the semester to discuss your performance in the class, areas of improvement, and any questions you may have
A “B” Grade
-
- Miss a maximum of two discussion forum posts and 4 replies
-
- Participate with good faith and generosity in all discussions
-
- Complete all three worksheets, at least two of them on time, demonstrating good critical engagement with the topic.
-
- Complete the midterm and final self-evaluation with sincere self-reflection and reflecting a good grasp of course readings and discussions
- Complete a final project that: (1) demonstrates good critical engagement with class discussions, readings, and assignments; (2) shows that you have a solid understanding of new research skills
A “C” Grade
-
- Miss a maximum of three discussion forum posts and 6 replies
-
- Participate with good faith and generosity in most discussions
-
- Complete the midterm and final self-evaluation with some amount of self-reflection and reflecting a moderate grasp of course readings and discussions.
-
- Complete all three worksheets, demonstrating moderate critical engagement with the topic
- Complete a final project that: (1) demonstrates some critical engagement with class discussions, readings, and assignments; (2) shows that you are on the path to learning new research skills
Midterm Self-evaluation
Due: Submitted through D2L by 11:59pm on Tuesday, March 7
- Evaluate your participation in the class discussion. What aspects of your posts are the strongest? What could have used more work? Did you reply to classmates’ posts with sincerity and thoughtfulness? How has your thinking evolved from one week to the next?
- Evaluate your coursework so far (readings, worksheets, discussion forum posts, replies to classmates). Have you completed all of the readings and assignments? How well do you think you engaged with the class content? How much effort have you put into course work?
- What letter grade would you give yourself for the first half of this course and why? Consider preparedness, the strength of your written work, your participation in discussion, and your goals for the semester.
- How is this course meeting your personal learning goals?
- Do you have any questions for me at this point? About the topics of the class? About the structure of the class? About your work/progress this semester?
Final Self-evaluation
Due: Submitted through D2L by 11:59pm on Tuesday, May 2.
Note: The questions here are less prescriptive than on the midterm self-evaluation, in order to give you the opportunity to reflect on the course in a way that feels appropriate to you.
- Write a short evaluation of your performance in this class (250-500 words), addressing the following sorts of questions: Did you contribute to the discussion on D2L by writing entries and responding to your classmates? Did you do all of the required readings and worksheets? How would you characterize your overall effort, interest, and commitment to the class? Did your engagement increase or decrease as the semester went along? How did you meet your goals for the course?
- What letter grade would you give yourself for the semester and why? Consider preparedness for class, the strength of your written work and other assignments, and your participation in discussions.
LATE WORK POLICY
Late work will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me if you’re having trouble finishing a discussion post or assignment on time, and we can discuss options.
DISABILITY
I aim to make this class accessible to all. To request accommodation for a disability, please contact me or MSU Disability Services.
UNIVERSITY CONDUCT POLICIES
This course will adhere to the MSU Conduct Guidelines.
CREDIT
This syllabus is adapted from those of Amy Bekkerman, Jesse Stommel, and Scott W. H. Young.