Library Research Skills and New College Students Richard Eissinger Southern Utah University

Today’s Entering College Student

CIRP Freshman Survey* HS grade inflation: 1966-2004 A- or higher: 20% to 48% C+ or lower: 22% to 5% HS student – frequently felt bored in class 1985: 29% > 2004: 43% Studying 6+ hours per week 1987: 47% > 2004: 34% Faculty perspectives on student preparedness 45% agree that most students they teach lack the basic skills for college level work * http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/freshman.html

HS grade inflation: 1966-2004

A- or higher: 20% to 48%

C+ or lower: 22% to 5%

HS student – frequently felt bored in class

1985: 29% > 2004: 43%

Studying 6+ hours per week

1987: 47% > 2004: 34%

Faculty perspectives on student preparedness

45% agree that most students they teach lack the basic skills for college level work

CIRP Freshman Survey* * http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/freshman.html

An ever-increasing proportion of high school students in the US today aspire to college. Percentage of college students receiving bachelor’s degrees has remained relatively constant over the past 25 years. It now takes on average 5 years to get a 4-year college degree. Between 30%-60% of students now require remedial education on entry to college, depending on the type of institution they attend. Average public undergraduate education = $12,000/yr David T. Conley. College knowledge : what it really takes for students to succeed and what we can do to get them ready . 2005.

An ever-increasing proportion of high school students in the US today aspire to college.

Percentage of college students receiving bachelor’s degrees has remained relatively constant over the past 25 years.

It now takes on average 5 years to get a 4-year college degree.

Between 30%-60% of students now require remedial education on entry to college, depending on the type of institution they attend.

Average public undergraduate education = $12,000/yr

First Year Experience* Increased freshman retention National average: 63-70% SUU: before FYE 51% - after FYE 59% 58.9% report increased persistence to sophomore year 58.4% report improved student connections with peers 51.2% report increased use of campus services 50.6% report increased student satisfaction with the institution 45.0% report increased out-of-class faculty/student interaction 41.6% report increased level of student participation in student activities 36.0% report increased academic abilities 31.1% report increased student satisfaction with faculty 26.7% report improved grade-point-averages 18.3% report increased persistence to graduation * http://www.sc.edu/fye/index.html

Increased freshman retention

National average: 63-70%

SUU: before FYE 51% - after FYE 59%

58.9% report increased persistence to sophomore year

58.4% report improved student connections with peers

51.2% report increased use of campus services

50.6% report increased student satisfaction with the institution

45.0% report increased out-of-class faculty/student interaction

41.6% report increased level of student participation in student activities

36.0% report increased academic abilities

31.1% report increased student satisfaction with faculty

26.7% report improved grade-point-averages

18.3% report increased persistence to graduation

New Students: The Millennials Echo boomers, net generation, gamers Most ethnically diverse generation in US history Tend to be visual learners, get bored quickly (lectures) Hold a positive view of technology It’s been suggested that these students are often overconfident because they equate their technology savvy with information literacy. OCLC white paper on information habits of college students found that 80% of undergrads use Web search engines for all or most assignments, while only half used the library’s subscription-based resources.* * http://www.oclc.org/research/announcements/2002-06-24.htm

Echo boomers, net generation, gamers

Most ethnically diverse generation in US history

Tend to be visual learners, get bored quickly (lectures)

Hold a positive view of technology

It’s been suggested that these students are often overconfident because they equate their technology savvy with information literacy.

OCLC white paper on information habits of college students found that 80% of undergrads use Web search engines for all or most assignments, while only half used the library’s subscription-based resources.*

Millennial Searching Habits Many high school teachers endorse the internet as a good research resource. Tend to find information in a chaotic fashion, focusing on speed and convenience. Show little evidence of coherent search strategies. Easily accessible information enables students to stop at the first answer they find. They expect the research process to be easy – like Google. Email still a fixture in teens’ lives, but IM is preferred. Size of wired population surges at the 7th grade mark They may be whizzes on communication devices, but their communication skills – both in writing and in person – have a long way to go.

Many high school teachers endorse the internet as a good research resource.

Tend to find information in a chaotic fashion, focusing on speed and convenience.

Show little evidence of coherent search strategies.

Easily accessible information enables students to stop at the first answer they find.

They expect the research process to be easy – like Google.

Email still a fixture in teens’ lives, but IM is preferred.

Size of wired population surges at the 7th grade mark

They may be whizzes on communication devices, but their communication skills – both in writing and in person – have a long way to go.

Beloit College Mindset List* Gas has always been unleaded. What Berlin wall? They never “rolled down” a car window. They don't remember when "cut and paste" involved scissors. Libraries have always been the best centers for computer technology and access to good software. Digital cameras have always existed. They’ve grown up with bottled water. They learned about JFK from Oliver Stone and Malcolm X from Spike Lee. * http://www.beloit.edu/~pubaff/mindset

Gas has always been unleaded.

What Berlin wall?

They never “rolled down” a car window.

They don't remember when "cut and paste" involved scissors.

Libraries have always been the best centers for computer technology and access to good software.

Digital cameras have always existed.

They’ve grown up with bottled water.

They learned about JFK from Oliver Stone and Malcolm X from Spike Lee.

High School to College Transition The best predictors of whether a student will graduate or not are academic preparation and motivation. High schools focus on making students college-eligible – to meet admissions requirements. They may or may not be college-ready. Many students enter college with poor time management , study skills, and research skills.

The best predictors of whether a student will graduate or not are academic preparation and motivation.

High schools focus on making students college-eligible – to meet admissions requirements. They may or may not be college-ready.

Many students enter college with poor time management , study skills, and research skills.

High School / College Differences Change from a teacher-directed to a student-directed environment. High school teachers often spend considerable time attempting to motivate students to learn. Experience culture shock when they enter learning environments that different from their past experiences.

Change from a teacher-directed to a student-directed environment.

High school teachers often spend considerable time attempting to motivate students to learn.

Experience culture shock when they enter learning environments that different from their past experiences.

High School / College Differences Instructors do not always collect homework Fewer tests Professors are trained experts in their field & not in teaching methods Extra credit usually not available Students are expected to synthesize concepts between textbooks, class readings, and the real world College classes larger, longer, don't meet every day More writing required in college More academic freedom

Instructors do not always collect homework

Fewer tests

Professors are trained experts in their field & not in teaching methods

Extra credit usually not available

Students are expected to synthesize concepts between textbooks, class readings, and the real world

College classes larger, longer, don't meet every day

More writing required in college

More academic freedom

High School / College Differences High school is more textbook focused; college more lecture focused In high school the parent is held responsible; in college student is held responsible for actions (FERPA) In high school the school creates social, cultural activities to enhance students’ education; in college student must seek out social interactions High school students can remain in school despite poor academic performance; they can be dropped in college.

High school is more textbook focused; college more lecture focused

In high school the parent is held responsible; in college student is held responsible for actions (FERPA)

In high school the school creates social, cultural activities to enhance students’ education; in college student must seek out social interactions

High school students can remain in school despite poor academic performance; they can be dropped in college.

Added concerns: Increased numbers of high school graduates through 2015 Decreasing numbers of school librarians Students reading less Students have limited library research skills Students not adept at using the Web The myth of multitasking

Increased numbers of high school graduates through 2015

Decreasing numbers of school librarians

Students reading less

Students have limited library research skills

Students not adept at using the Web

The myth of multitasking

The Next Generations of College Students Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity, 1992 to 2022. http://www.wiche.edu/ Percent change in graduates from high schools Between 2004-5 and 2014-15

Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity, 1992 to 2022. http://www.wiche.edu/

ALA/AASL: For Immediate Release, April 21, 2008 Mesa, Ariz., public schools' has announced the decision to remove teacher-librarians from 87 schools. School library media specialists and advocates of school libraries across the country are joining together to decry the elimination of every teacher-librarian over a three-year period. The Mesa public school system is the largest in the state, with almost 74,000 students. The positions were eliminated primarily because of a deficit of more than $20 million—caused by declining student enrollment and a state budget deficit of $1.2 billion.

ALA/AASL: For Immediate Release, April 21, 2008

The Next Generations of College Students

Web 2.0 anonymous authors public editing

anonymous authors

public editing

iSkills – Educational Testing Service 2% students could judge web site's objectivity 65% could judge authoritativeness 40% correctly used multiple search terms 44% could identify statement that stated demands of an assignment ETS, http://www.ets.org , iSkills

2% students could judge web site's objectivity

65% could judge authoritativeness

40% correctly used multiple search terms

44% could identify statement that stated demands of an assignment

Research: the Student View Locate information using Google Take the first search results Print out EVERYTHING Put your name on it Done If it's on the Internet, it must be true. If it's on the Internet, it's public information and free for us to copy.

Locate information using Google

Take the first search results

Print out EVERYTHING

Put your name on it

Done

The Next Generations of College Students “ The Google generation is a myth according to a new report by the British Library - just because kids grow up using the Internet doesn't mean they're adept at using the Web. Although young people demonstrate an ease and familiarity with computers, they rely on the most basic search tools and do not possess the critical and analytical skills to assess the information that they find on the web.” Information Behavior of the Researcher of the Future. January 11, 2008. Report by British Library. http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/reppres/gg_final_keynote_11012008.pdf

“ The Google generation is a myth according to a new report by the British Library - just because kids grow up using the Internet doesn't mean they're adept at using the Web. Although young people demonstrate an ease and familiarity with computers, they rely on the most basic search tools and do not possess the critical and analytical skills to assess the information that they find on the web.”

Information Behavior of the Researcher of the Future.

January 11, 2008. Report by British Library.

http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/reppres/gg_final_keynote_11012008.pdf

The Next Generations of College Students To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence . Americans are spending less time reading. Reading comprehension skills are eroding. These declines have serious civic, social, cultural and economic implications 2007. National Endowment for the Arts. http://www.nea.gov

To Read or Not to Read: A Question of National Consequence .

Americans are spending less time reading.

Reading comprehension skills are eroding.

These declines have serious civic, social, cultural and economic implications

The Next Generations of College Students The Myth of Multitasking Walter, Kim. (Nov. 2007). The Autumn of the multitaskers. Atlantic Monthly, 300 (4), 66-80 . http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200711/multitasking

The Myth of Multitasking

Walter, Kim. (Nov. 2007).

The Autumn of the multitaskers.

Atlantic Monthly, 300 (4), 66-80 .

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200711/multitasking

Freshman Library Research Skills

Freshmen research problems Lots of experience with computers; little with academic research Little experience with library hard copy Difficulty determining academic value of information they find Understanding of bias is limited Skill at tracking down original source is lacking Many don’t know what they don’t know

Lots of experience with computers; little with academic research

Little experience with library hard copy

Difficulty determining academic value of information they find

Understanding of bias is limited

Skill at tracking down original source is lacking

Many don’t know what they don’t know

Information Literacy

Information Literacy in Utah Colleges GE credit courses: DSC, SUU, WSU Pass a competency exam: USU Integrated with English composition: UofU, BYU, UVSC

GE credit courses: DSC, SUU, WSU

Pass a competency exam: USU

Integrated with English composition: UofU, BYU, UVSC

LM1010

SUU Information Literacy LM 1010

Skills Survey > Test-Out Exam

Skills > Test-Out > Final

Boolean searching by class

Scholarly vs popular by class

Learning outcomes

Information Literacy Tutorials ACRL – PRIMO http://www.ala.org/ala/acrlbucket/is/iscommittees/webpages/emergingtech/primo/index.cfm CLUE http://clue.library.wisc.edu/ Internet Navigator http://www-navigator.utah.edu/ Marriott Library - Instruction Tutorials http://www.lib.utah.edu/instruction/tutorials.html Research 101 http://www.lib.washington.edu/uwill/research101/ TILT http://tilt.lib.utsystem.edu/nf/intro/internet.htm

ACRL – PRIMO http://www.ala.org/ala/acrlbucket/is/iscommittees/webpages/emergingtech/primo/index.cfm

CLUE http://clue.library.wisc.edu/

Internet Navigator http://www-navigator.utah.edu/

Marriott Library - Instruction Tutorials http://www.lib.utah.edu/instruction/tutorials.html

Research 101 http://www.lib.washington.edu/uwill/research101/

TILT http://tilt.lib.utsystem.edu/nf/intro/internet.htm

Research Skills and New Freshmen

Library anxiety New college students indicate that they are not comfortable with library research Size of library is intimidating Lack of knowledge about terminology and locating items Don’t know how or where to begin Libraries in different buildings Dewey vs. LC – numbers are subjects and a classification system

New college students indicate that they are not comfortable with library research

Size of library is intimidating

Lack of knowledge about terminology and locating items

Don’t know how or where to begin

Libraries in different buildings

Dewey vs. LC – numbers are subjects and a classification system

Library Phobias * *Research Strategy: Overcoming Library Phobias . BYU. 1993.

Overcoming library phobias Visit local university libraries and develop a relationship with a local university librarian Teach searching a university OPAC Online chat Libraries are frequently the only place to go after 5 pm to get answers Ask a librarian!

Visit local university libraries and develop a relationship with a local university librarian

Teach searching a university OPAC

Online chat

Libraries are frequently the only place to go after 5 pm to get answers

Ask a librarian!

Searching skills Dewey decimal vs LC Boolean searching Look for the help page Databases operate in similar ways Reading an index Using a table of contents or index (chapters in an OPAC)

Dewey decimal vs LC

Boolean searching

Look for the help page

Databases operate in similar ways

Reading an index

Using a table of contents or index (chapters in an OPAC)

Searching skills – Boolean, etc. Boolean terms – and, or, not Truncation and wildcards OPAC vs online resources – understanding difference between electronic record and full text Selecting an index – where to begin Subject headings vs keywords subject headings usable across databases especially good in subject indexes

Boolean terms – and, or, not

Truncation and wildcards

OPAC vs online resources – understanding difference between electronic record and full text

Selecting an index – where to begin

Subject headings vs keywords

subject headings usable across databases

especially good in subject indexes

Searching skills Google advanced search site:.gov + and – “ open source” or open-source Search engine ranking jux 2 Meta Search Engine http://www.jux2.com/ Thumbshots.com Ranking http://ranking.thumbshots.com/

Google advanced search

site:.gov

+ and –

“ open source” or open-source

Search engine ranking

jux 2 Meta Search Engine http://www.jux2.com/

Thumbshots.com Ranking http://ranking.thumbshots.com/

Searching skills - keywords Your results are only as good as the keywords you use Brainstorm using a thesaurus (Tools in Word) Note how often their keywords show after searching (Edit/Find in Word) Use multiple keywords Correct spelling is important

Your results are only as good as the keywords you use

Brainstorm using a thesaurus (Tools in Word)

Note how often their keywords show after searching (Edit/Find in Word)

Use multiple keywords

Correct spelling is important

Locating sources Abstracts vs citation colleges have abstract and citation databases available some try to use abstracts as the full text don’t understand what a citation is Microfilm, microfiche – colleges have variety of formats available Full text Bound periodicals Interlibrary loan – usually within school districts; colleges have ILL

Abstracts vs citation

colleges have abstract and citation databases available

some try to use abstracts as the full text

don’t understand what a citation is

Microfilm, microfiche – colleges have variety of formats available

Full text

Bound periodicals

Interlibrary loan – usually within school districts; colleges have ILL

Scholarly sources Understand academic journals vs. magazines Peer-reviewed, refereed, scholarly, academic Scholarly research Start them in high school to understand these distinctions (e.g., in Utah MasterFILE Premier is used as the high school default database) Google

Understand academic journals vs. magazines

Peer-reviewed, refereed, scholarly, academic

Scholarly research

Start them in high school to understand these distinctions (e.g., in Utah MasterFILE Premier is used as the high school default database)

Google

Open-Access Journals DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals http://www.doaj.org PLoS – Public Library of Science http://www.plos.org/ BioMed Central http://www.biomedcentral.com/ Open J-Gate http://www.openj-gate.com/ s

DOAJ – Directory of Open Access Journals http://www.doaj.org

PLoS – Public Library of Science http://www.plos.org/

BioMed Central http://www.biomedcentral.com/

Open J-Gate http://www.openj-gate.com/ s

Evaluating sources MLA authority, accuracy/verifiability, currency Source / authority Purpose Content / coverage Currency Bias Why evaluate? Students will need to defend their information choices to their professors

MLA

authority, accuracy/verifiability, currency

Source / authority

Purpose

Content / coverage

Currency

Bias

Why evaluate?

Students will need to defend their information choices to their professors

Citing sources Style guides don’t know about the different styles and formats by discipline Plagiarism Most students have not been taught the skills of paraphrasing, quoting and summarizing Citation machines ProQuest, Questia Citation Machine, EasyBib, NoodleTools, RapidCite

Style guides

don’t know about the different styles and formats by discipline

Plagiarism

Most students have not been taught the skills of paraphrasing, quoting and summarizing

Citation machines

ProQuest, Questia

Citation Machine, EasyBib, NoodleTools, RapidCite

Citing sources Citation help Research & Documentation Online. Diana Hacker http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/hacker/resdoc Zotero Firefox Add-on http://www.zotero.org

Citation help

Research & Documentation Online. Diana Hacker http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/hacker/resdoc

Zotero Firefox Add-on http://www.zotero.org

Citing sources Ethics - Plagiarism Prevention ACRL - Plagiarism and cyber-plagiarism: http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2003/june4/plagiarismcyberplagiarism.cfm Plagiarism Prevention and Detection Resources and Software: http://www.erie.psu.edu/academic/lrc/ethos/index/Plagiarism.htm Read-write-think: http://www.readwritethink.org/ Turnitin: http://plagiarism.org

Ethics - Plagiarism Prevention

ACRL - Plagiarism and cyber-plagiarism: http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/crlnews/backissues2003/june4/plagiarismcyberplagiarism.cfm

Plagiarism Prevention and Detection Resources and Software: http://www.erie.psu.edu/academic/lrc/ethos/index/Plagiarism.htm

Read-write-think: http://www.readwritethink.org/

Turnitin: http://plagiarism.org

Assessment Information Literacy tutorials TRAILS: http://www.trails9.org/index.php?page=home

Information Literacy tutorials

TRAILS: http://www.trails9.org/index.php?page=home

Notetaking Systematic notetaking leads to good research RefWorks, EndNote, Reference Manager Cornell method, outlining, graphic organizers Cornell Notetaking, Dartmouth http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html Cornell Notetaking System, BYU http://ccc.byu.edu/learning/note-tak.php Microsoft OneNote

Systematic notetaking leads to good research

RefWorks, EndNote, Reference Manager

Cornell method, outlining, graphic organizers

Cornell Notetaking, Dartmouth http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html

Cornell Notetaking System, BYU http://ccc.byu.edu/learning/note-tak.php

Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote

Conclusions Discuss how their skills are transferable Prepare them for the size of college libraries Help your students see librarians are their best resource

Discuss how their skills are transferable

Prepare them for the size of college libraries

Help your students see librarians are their best resource