Library Instruction Menu: Instruction Menu

[5 minutes] Session introduction and review of research assignment source requirements. Highly recommended for all classes.

Requires copy of research assignment with source requirements described and related to course guide contents.

[10 minutes] Developing a search strategy based on a topic

• Brainstorming or concept-mapping a topic
• Narrowing topics
• Identifying keywords and synonyms

[15 minutes] Use Quick Search to find books and ebooks that are owned by the library.

• Use keywords to find books on a topic.
• Identify and access ebooks in the results list
• Use call numbers to locate print books on shelves.

[15 minutes] Use a multidisciplinary database to find articles on a topic.

• Construct a basic keyword search strategy within a general database.
• Use limiters like full text, peer-reviewed, etc.
• Use the Find It button to retrieve articles.

[25 minutes] Know differences between popular and scholarly periodicals/articles

• Identify and discuss differences between magazine and journal articles.
• Discuss the publication process

[20 minutes] Evaluate websites

• Gauge reliability indicated by URL ending
• Use evaluation criteria to analyze one potential web source.

[20 minutes] Know differences between source types and uses: tertiary, primary, secondary

• Discuss quality and usefulness of the different types of sources.