- Include benchmarks such as requiring submission of topic proposals, thesis statement, preliminary bibliography and/or annotated bibliography, mid point check-up, or draft workshops with peers. These will:
- help clarify the research process
- ensure viability/appropriateness of a topic before it's too late
- reduce procrastination
- reduce likelihood of plagiarism.
- Try to do the assignment yourself to ensure that necessary resources are available
- Explain what you mean by "web resources" - Are library databases ok, but Wikipedia not? All are accessible via the "Web."
- Collaborate with librarians
- consult with a librarian during the planning process
- invite a librarian to meet with your class
- Encourage students to use Research services, like the Librarians, Tutoriing, and Writing Centers
- Encourage students to reflect on the research process
- Use a research log to document databases searched/sources consulted
- keywords and search strategies used
- dead-ends and successes
- evolution of/change of topics
- TILT your assignments for clarity
- Best Practices for assignments:
- Provide clear, detailed instructions
- Direct students to resources that are available and tell them where to find them
- Include clear criteria for what is successful
- Scaffold and include benchmarks for students to complete.
- Relate assignment to to course learning outcomes
*includes information from Oberlin College Library & University of Washington
