research instruction
discipline and course specific instruction
research instruction
- Renfro Library offers a variety of research instruction options including:
- 1. A standardized four session freshman instruction program
- 2. Custom sessions geared for specific departments and courses
- 3. Assistance in designing assignments that incorporate information literacy elements
- 4. Guidelines for research portfolios for senior seminar /capstone courses
- 5. One-on-one research consultation sessions for students involved in advanced research or those identified as needing additional help with the research process
freshman instruction program
laa 111
- Overview of library resources, services and policies, including a tour of the library and the library’s webpage.
eng 112, session one
- Using reference sources for background information on a topic and to develop a focused research question. Searching the catalog by keyword and subject heading, and locating or viewing books/ebooks.
eng 112, session two
- Understanding types and characteristics of periodicals. Brainstorming terminology, and planning and conducting a periodical database search. Locating the full text of periodical articles in the physical collection and online.
eng 112, session three
- Assessing database search results for relevancy to a research question and appropriateness for a given project. Using the library webpage and subject directories to find quality websites. Evaluating websites for accuracy, authority, objectivity and currency.
- Click here for more detailed information on the freshman program curriculum or the program’s coverage of the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.
discipline and course specific instruction
- Librarians collaborate with course instructors to design library research instruction that will address the information literacy needs of students in specific departments and courses. These sessions can consist of one or multiple meetings and be composed of any of the following:
- Demonstrations of specific resources and search methods
- Hands-on guided discovery activities that lead students through specific resources
- Unstructured lab sessions for planning and conducting literature searches on specific topics with librarians available for assistance
- Click here to view a sample guided discovery activity.
- To request a session, contact Shannon Lucas (slucas@mhc.edu, x1391) at least 2 weeks in advance of the date on which you wish to have your instruction session.
research portfolios
- Research portfolios help guide students through and document the results of each step in the research process. They help students allocate time appropriately and assure that they are doing original work.
- Click here to view a basic list of the elements of a research portfolio
- For more information on research portfolios, contact Shannon Lucas (slucas@mhc.edu, x1391).
personal consultations
- This service is offered for students engaged in senior seminars or other major research assignments, as well as those identified as needing additional help with research skill building.
- To make an appointment, students can contact Shannon Lucas (slucas@mhc.edu, x1391) or Rachel Mitchell (rmitchell@mhc.edu, x1443).
library research assignments
- If you are giving your students an assignment(s) requiring the use of library resources, we would greatly appreciate if you would consider the following guidelines:
- Check on the availability of appropriate library resources and/or collaborate with a librarian to design an assignment at which your students can succeed
- Provide the library with a copy of the assignment guidelines to be kept at the reference desk so that we can be sure to provide appropriate guidance to students
- Let us know how much guidance you wish us to provide to your students
- If our resources are limited, consider putting items on reserve for the course
- If the resources are not available in-house, interlibrary loan (ILL) is an option, but keep in mind that the U.S. Postal Service is involved, so advance planning is required. ILLs usually take about two weeks to arrive.
- Librarians are available to help with library research assignment design. To discuss an assignment, contact Shannon Lucas (slucas@mhc.edu, x1391). Copies of assignment guidelines can be submitted via email or dropped off at the reference desk.