LIBR A103: College Research Skills
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 11/17/2021 |
| Top Code | 169900 - Other Library Science |
| Units | 1 Total Units |
| Hours | 18 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 18) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Open Entry/Open Exit | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
Course Description
This course will teach research skills to prepare you for college, the workplace, and your personal life. This hands-on class builds skills in the areas of: identifying research topics, understanding the types of information, developing search strategies and techniques, evaluating information, and citing sources. This course will be beneficial for students who wish to develop lifelong learning skills and ways to sift through the immense amount of information available in the world. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Identify and access credible library and information resources.
- Evaluate the credibility of information by using the SIFT Method.
- Correctly cite sources in standard citation styles.
Course Objectives
- 1. Understand the infrastructure and biases of information in the 21st Century.
- 2. Distinguish between types of resources and their strengths and weaknesses.
- 3. Distinguish between types of information and appropriateness to meet an information need.
- 4. Search library databases to access books, periodicals, newspapers, multimedia, and journals.
- 5. Apply search techniques to successfully navigate online resources.
- 6. Evaluate sources for credibility using the SIFT method.
- 7. Compose citations for multiple sources of information according to MLA or APA citation style.
- 8. Understand what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
Lecture Content
A. Introduction to the course1. Objectives2. What is Information Literacy?B. Algorithms 1. What are Algorithms2. The Influence and Effect of Algorithms in the Digital World 3. Algorithmic biasC. Disinformation1. Understand Information Disorder2. College Students and Information Cynicism3. The Effects of DisinformationD. Fact-Checking1. Strategies for Fact-Checking Sources2. Information Reliability3. Tracing Claims to the Original SourcesE. Types of Information Sources1. Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources2. Traditional, Media, and Online Sources3. Bias in SourcesF. Getting Started with Research1. Choosing a Topic2. Background Reading3. Developing a Research QuestionG. Search Strategies1. Identifying Concepts and Keywords2. Boolean Searching3. Developing Search Statements H. Finding Materials in the Library1. Using OCC Discovery2. Locating Books using Library of Congress Classification system3. Using eBook CollectionsI. Using Library Databases1. What are Databases2. Choosing the Right Database3. Identifying Different Types of Articles (Scholarly, Magazines, and Newspapers)J. Finding Magazine and Newspaper Articles1. When to Use Magazine and Newspaper Articles in Academic Research2. Types of Magazines and Newspapers3. Searching Library Resources for ArticlesK. Finding Scholarly Journals1. Peer Review2. Reading a Journal Article3. When to Use a Journal ArticleL. Using Multimedia 1. Searching Library Resources for MultimediaM. Searching the Web1. When to Use the Web for Academic Research2. Issues in Information from the WebN. Importance of Evaluating Sources1. Understanding the importance of fact-check ing2. The SIFT method and Lateral Searching/ReadingO. Plagiarism and Citing Sources 1. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism2. Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Quoting3. MLA or APA Citation Style FormattingP. Research Diary and Exam
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
- DE Online Lecture (02X)
Instructional Techniques
Videos, lecture, instructor feedback, discussion, applied practice
Reading Assignments
Students will read from various sources, such as the course textbooks and instructor created materials. 10 hours (1 hr/wk)
Writing Assignments
Throughout the semester, students will write a variety of search statements and evaluate sources that will culminate in the creation of a research diary. They will also participate in written class discussions. 10 hours (1 hr/wk)
Out-of-class Assignments
Students will complete various practical assignments that directly apply knowledge from course content. Sample assignments include creating search statements using Boolean operators, using lateral searching techniques to evaluate the credibility of library and online resources, and creating a research diary for the capstone project. In addition to these assignments, students will take formative assessments such as quizzes and engage in class discussions. 16 hours (1-2 hrs/wk)
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Students will be required to critically evaluate information and apply concepts from the course material to practical and academic situations. This will be demonstrated in the completion of various written assignments and the capstone project.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Students will be asked to complete written and practical assignments that apply course content. Examples include creating and revising search statements, choosing academically appropriate sources, and successful utilization of library resources.
Eligible Disciplines
Library science: Master's degree in library science, or library and information science, OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Butler, Walter, Sargent, Aloha, Smith, Kelsey. Introduction to College Research, ed. Pressbooks, 2021 2. Required Badke, William. Research Strategies: Finding Your Way through the Information Fog, 7th ed. iUniverse, 2021
Other Resources
1. Library handouts, videos, and articles. 2. One or more of the above texts are available as OER. When possible, OER texts should be considered by the instructor of record to promote equity and access of necessary course materials.