Creating Successful Research Assignments

This guide will provide helpful tips for faculty for creating successful research assignments for your students.

• it clearly states goals and objectives
• it is aligned with course content and learning outcomes
• its results are meaningful for students
• students learn lasting/transferable skills
• it includes criteria by which assignment will be evaluated
• it is communicated in writing and discussed in class
• terms are clearly defined - for example, "web," "scholarly," "academic"

*adapted from Oberlin College Library

• Top 9 Information Literacy Misconceptions for First Year College Students Infographic
   
• Students often know less about research than we (or they) think
• Students often have a hard time focusing and finding an appropriate scope for their topic
• Students often do not know about the scholarly communication process
• Students often have a hard time critically evaluating search results and sources.