Defining the Need for Information Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Standards, Performance Indicators, and Outcomes
Defining the Need for InformationFirst Steps for Initiating a Research EffortUsing ACRL Standards, Performance Indicators, and Outcomes
Stuart AdamsDETT 611August 18, 2011Information Literacy Module
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Introduction & OverviewInformation Literacy skills are for life as well as for academics
Scholarly Research is a more formal approach to building knowledgeALA /ACRL has established Information Literacy StandardsThis tutorial will focus on one standard and apply it to actual practice (Standard 1, Performance Indicator 1)
Information Literacy is the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information. - ACRL
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First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Scholarship, Research and InquiryScholarship Builds Knowledge on Knowledge
Research Is the Intellectual Conversation with Scholars & Experts Past & Present
Fundamentally, scholarship is about learning, describing, and explaining what one has learned and how one has learned it - Dr. Paul Courant
Aristotle Says: Locke Says: Jefferson Says: So, I Say:
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Scholarship, Research and InquiryResearch Is Inquiry: Good Research Starts with a Good Question
The Steps for Initiating ResearchUnderstand Research GoalsDevelop Background Information and UnderstandingsSelect a Research TopicTranslate Research Topic Into Research ProblemPerform Preliminary Research; Identify Initial KeywordsRefine Research Problem, based on Preliminary ResearchFormulate Research Question
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 1: Understand Your Research GoalsWhat is My Purpose?What is the Class Assignment?What Rubric is Being Applied?What Results Have Been Negotiated?What Do I Want to KnowWho Is My Audience ?InstructorScholarly CommunityCo-worker, Boss, or Customer/ClientSelf
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 2: Develop Background Information and UnderstandingsReview Your Course Materials
Based on: Class ContentWhat you already knowJulia Spranger
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 3: Select a Research TopicTopic Source:Class Assignment Need to Advance the Scholarly DiscourseBusiness or Personal InterestCould be based on systematic technique for creating a topic
BattlesBull RunVicksburg
Gettysburg
Atlanta
Brainstorm ListCivil WarBattlesBull RunVicksburgGettysburgSlaveryBull RunVicksburgGettysburgPoliticsAbolitionistsRepublican PartyKey PersonsA. LincolnJ. DavisGen. LeeMind Map
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 3: Select a Research TopicShould be of interest to researcher to ensure enthusiastic effort
Example: Important Battles of the Civil War
Currier & Iveschucka_nc
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 4: Translate Research Topic Into a Research ProblemResearch Problem = Preliminary Research QuestionGet Started, Dont Expect PerfectionBe Creative:
Example: What battle was most important to the outcome of the Civil War?
A good problem, a researchable and answerable one, is a result of a reflective act. It results from a dialogical encounter between rationality and creativity. Dr. K. Abdul Gafoor
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 5: Perform Preliminary Research; Identify Initial KeywordsRead, Read, Read (and take good notes)Begin to Capture a List of Key Words
Keywords:Gettysburg, R.E. Lee, Tactics, Infantry, Cavalry Union, Confederate
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 6: Refine Research Problem, Based on Preliminary ResearchLet the Topic Evolve: Research Is Cyclical Get Proper Scope (not too narrow or too broad)Too Broad: Who Won The Civil War and Why? Too Narrow: Was Stonewall Jackson's Absence at Gettysburg Critical to the Confederate 2nd Corp's Mistakes and the Subsequent Failure of Lee's Tactical Initiative?
Keywords:Gettysburg, R.E. Lee, G. Meade, Seminary Ridge, Culp's Hill Picketts ChargeTactics, Infantry, Cavalry Union, Confederate
Develop an Expanded List of Keywords
Be patient: Keep Asking Questions and Following Leads
Tactical Mistakes?Did Lees Tactical Mistakes on Day 3 Cost the South the Battle of Gettysburg and Perhaps the War? BattlesGen. G. G. MeadeGen. R.E. Lee2nd Days FightingUnion Victory (Why?)Gettysburg (Important?)3rd Days FightingCivil WarFirst Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 6: Refine Research Problem, Based on Preliminary Research (cont.)
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Step 7: Formulate Research QuestionWrite Out Research Question in Formal TermsExample: Did Lees Tactical Mistakes on Day 3 Cost the South the Battle of Gettysburg and Perhaps the War? List KeywordsExample: General Lee, General Meade, Tactics, Infantry, Cavalry, Peach Orchard, Seminary Ridge, Picketts Charge, Culps Hill, Union, Confederate.
Currier & Ives
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort Mapping the Steps to the ACRL Standards
First Steps for Initiating a Research Effort ConclusionsSummary:Research is a Part of the Ongoing Process of Knowledge Building Which Begins With A Good QuestionUse the 7 Step Process to Set Goals, Pick a Topic, Do Preliminary Research and Refine the Problem into a Research QuestionThis Approach is Effective and is Consistent with the ACRL StandardsYou can be a successful researcher if you can get off to a good start
ReferencesACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries). (2004.) Information literacy competency standards for higher education. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards /information literacycompetency.cfm Bennett, E. , Berg, S., Brothen, E., Peterson, K. & Veal, R. (2006). Library research handbook. Cappella University. Retrieved 8/12/11 from http://www.capella.edu/interactivemedia/information Literacy/index.aspx Courant, P. (2008). Scholarship: The wave of the future in the digital age.In R. N. Katz [Ed.]. (2008). The tower and the cloud: Higher education in the age of cloud computing. (2008). Boulder, CO: EDUCAUSE. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/thetowerandthecloud/PUB7202t Engle, M. (1996). Library Research at Cornell: A Hypertext Guide. Retrieved 8/12/2011 from http://www.library.cornell.edu/okuref/research/tutorial.html Gafoor, K. (2008). How to Arrive at Good Research Questions?. Online Submission, Retrieved from http://eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED507393.pdfHisle, D., Gustavson, A., & Whitehusrt, A. (2010) Research basics 101. Retrieved 8/12/2011 from http://media.lib.ecu.edu/DE/tutorial/ChoosingATopic/topic.htmlMackey, K. (2008). IRIS 4-2: Information & Research Instruction Suite for Two-Year Colleges. Clark University. Retrieved from http://www.clark.edu/Library/iris/index.shtml Moeckel, L. Thomas, P., Williams, P., & Kasowitz-Scheer, A. (2001). The productive researcher; Defining topics and generating keywords. Retrieved 8/12/2011 from http://library.syr.edu/ services/getting_help /instruction/productive_researcher/keywords/index.phpShepard, R.(2009). Starting a research project. Document posted in University of Maryland University College VLIB 101 6980 online classroom, archived at: http://webtycho.umuc.eduWilliamson, F. (2006). Information literacy, A dean's perspective. Retrieved Aug 12, 2011, from Library Research Handbook: Your roadmap to information literacy: http://www.capella.edu/interactivemedia/informationLiteracy/interactive/faculty/faculty_master_outer_wrapper.aspWoodward, K. M., & Ganski, K.L. (2011). Information literacy tutorial; Module 1:How do I search. Retrieved 8/12/2011 from http://guides.library.uwm.edu/content.php?pid=121422&sid=1220668
Sheet1ACLR Standard - OutcomesStepsExamples: Formal Scholarshipa. Confers with instructors and participates in class discussions, peer workgroups, and electronic discussions to identify a research topic, or other information need1. Understand Research GoalsMasters Level Research2. Develop/Use Background Information and UnderstandingsMasters Degree Student3. Select a Research TopicE-learning in Public Schoolsb .Develops a thesis statement and formulates questions based on the information need4. Translate Research Topic Into Research ProblemWhat is the Best way to Implement E-learning in the K-12 Public Schools?c. Explores general information sources to increase familiarity with the topic5. Perform Preliminary Research; Identify Initial Keywordsd. Defines or modifies the information need to achieve a manageable focus6. Refine Research Problem, based on Preliminary ResearchCan Blended Learning Improve Public Schools?What cultural barriers must be overcome to migrate schools to blended learning models in Colorado Seconadry Public Schools?
e. Identifies key concepts and terms that describe the information need7. Formulate the Research Question; List KeywordsWhat are the Critical Challenges in Implementing Blended Learning in Public Schools?Blended Learning, Online Learning, Elearning, Public Schools, Implementation, Culture, Scale, K-12, School Improvement
f. Recognizes that existing information can be combined with original thought, experimentation, and/or analysis to produce new informationMindful Research - The Conversation
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