Describes the approach and materials for an undergraduate workshop in research skills and analyzes its successes and failures. Outlines steps to "Power Researching," questions to ask about topics, how to read and write citations, and evaluation of information sources. Provides a bibliography of sources on the search process, topic analysis and…

Describes a library instruction program at the University of Illinois that consists of a narrowly focused one-shot lecture, complemented by a series of library activities that can be completed independently by students. The reasons for revising the program, the variety of instructional approaches and media used, and the effectiveness of the…

Presents the results of a student survey conducted in 1989 and used to evaluate the bibliographic instruction program at Stockton State College (New Jersey), which includes a self-paced workbook for freshman seminar classes, subject classes, online demonstrations, and a library research methods course. Further research is needed to identify…

Reports on college freshman research unit in biography that suits writing level of students and incorporates library research as integral part of course. The freshman research paper unit, advantages of biography as topic, freshman library instruction program, and strengths of biography research are covered. Useful topics and worksheets are…

Guidelines for developing effective research assignments were distributed to University of Colorado, Boulder, teaching assistants and faculty by the Instructional Services Librarian. Suggestions concerning what to do (i.e., clarify research objectives, schedule library presentation) and what not to do (i.e., limit research to particular index or…

Discusses the rationale for and development of a course for undergraduate biology majors which includes a bibliographic instruction component. This component is described in detail, and the importance of cooperation between the biology faculty and library staff is discussed. Examples of assignments, research projects, and laboratory exercises are…

Presents a simple four-step method bibliographic instruction librarians can use to teach students how to design an effective search strategy. Using the image of a clock face, students learn how to make explicit connections among the search statement, types of library materials, and access tools in formulating a research plan. (22 references)…

Provides a capsule description of a library research course in ancient Greek civilizations which was team-taught by a humanities professor and a reference librarian. Course objectives, research projects, commentary by librarian and professor, and applicability of the approach in other colleges and universities are discussed. Five sources are…

Presents a search strategy for locating time-series or cross-sectional statistical data in published sources which was designed for undergraduate students who require 30 units of data for five separate variables in a statistical model. Instructional context and the broader applicability of the search strategy for general statistical research is…

Identifies specific criteria and processes employed in four research studies that evaluated student bibliographies. Assumptions that influence choice of research methodology, bibliography criteria, and procedures are discussed, and recommendations are offered for sample selection, formulation of study's hypothesis, and criteria and procedures for…

Presents two aids to help students grasp the importance of controlled vocabulary in making the dual connection between search statement and access tool and between access tool and library material: (1) a fishing metaphor comparing strategies for fishing and searching databases with controlled vocabulary; and (2) a matrix that allows students to…

Describes a pilot project at the University of New Mexico library that offered peer tutoring services through the undergraduate learning center to teach students library skills and strategies for successful research. Discusses tutors assisting during other library instruction and future plans for tutors to provide electronic resource assistance in…

Describes the development of a Personalized Research Consultation Service (PERCS) for graduate students at Bowling Green State University. Graduate students' library research behavior and adult learning strategies are discussed; an evaluation of the program is reviewed; and the impact on library services, including computer searches and…

Describes a course in information research in which students use a package of representative information sources to identify seminal works in a given field of inquiry. The materials contained in the package and specific procedures followed by students are described, and some informal evaluation of the process is provided. (CLB)

This article suggests three ways to enhance undergraduate periodical use assignments to foster conceptual skills students need when they undertake complex research projects. Discussion covers scholarly or professional literature versus popular literature, differentiation among points of view and differing interpretations of facts, and use of…