The document outlines a workshop led by Margot Hanson and Michele Van Hoeck focused on improving research paper handouts for students. Key findings indicate that many existing handouts lack guidance on alternative formats and effective resource utilization, particularly emphasizing library assistance. Recommendations include enhancing context for assignments, providing clear guidelines, and encouraging student support through librarians.

1. Better Research Papers:
Workshop Your Handout
Margot Hanson and Michele Van Hoeck
Tuesday, August 26th 2014
2:00-3:30 PM, Library Green Room

2. Today’s Agenda
2:00
2:20
2:40
3:05
3:15
Welcome
• Project Information Literacy research findings
Small Group Activity
• Evaluation of sample handout
Individual Activity and Group Discussion
• Evaluate and redesign your own handout
Resources
• Help for Research Guidance and Support
Closing and Evaluation

3. When you review research assignments, what
do you see students struggling with most?
https://todaysmeet.com/BetterResearchPapers

4. "Truth Be Told: How College Students Evaluate and Use Information in the Digital Age,"
Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information Literacy Progress Report, November 1, 2010.

7. MAJOR FINDINGS

8. 83% of handouts in our sample
called for the standard
research paper.
Few handouts asked students
to present findings using other
formats, including multimedia
and oral presentations.
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

9. Six in 10 handouts
recommended students consult
the library shelves—a place-based
source—more than
scholarly research databases,
the library catalog, the Web,
or…any other resource.
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

10. Few of the handouts (14%) that
directed students to use the
libraryʼs online scholarly
research databases…specified
which database to use…from
the hundreds that tend to be
available.
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

11. Details about plagiarism, if
mentioned at all, were scant
and tended to emphasize the
disciplinary recourse
instructors would take against
students who were caught in
acts of academic dishonesty.
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

12. Few of the handouts provided
information for contacting
instructors when students had
questions about a research
assignment, whether by email,
face-to-face, the telephone, or
in online forums.
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

13. RECOMMENDATIONS

14. Add Situational Context
Why are students being asked to engage
in a pedagogical research exercise in a
certain course in the first place?
Peel back the layers of the knowledge
production process and what it means in
the academic environment, in a given
discipline, in a given class.

15. Add Information-Gathering
Context
Research assignments, in general, should
have students learn how to derive
information from multiple and diverse
formats.

16. Ask for Help
Contact a librarian and/or CETL for help,
ideas, and inspiration.

17. Adapted from Maricopa Community College District Libraries
HOT TIPS

18. Verify and sample resources
available at the library

19. Model with a sample paper
http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/mla-sample-research-paper.gif

20. Experiment with short, less
overwhelming essays or projects

21. Scaffold by providing steps &
support structure for students
Flickr user Ron Cogswell

22. Teach students to select quality
information &
Evaluate sources appropriate to their
topics
Open Clipart

23. Offer a reasonable time frame &
mini deadlines for the assignment

24. Be clear with the citation style & format.
Offer examples!

25. Encourage students to ask for
help

26. Invite a librarian to class!

27. 76% of students surveyed
considered written guidelines
about course-related
assignments to be one of the
most helpful materials an
instructor can provide.
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments Guide Today's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, July 13, 2010

28. EVALUATION TIME!