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Research Instruction / Information Fluency: Writing/Research Courses

N.B. Mastery of research skills and concepts taught in the FYWs is CRUCIAL for successful work with the theoretical constructs and deep understandings explored in the WR courses.

Information Fluency Objectives for Upper Level Courses

Having acquired basic information fluency skills in their FYW, students will...

  • know how to search the major discipline-specific databases for their area of research.
  • be familiar with many of the subject encyclopedias and other subject-specific reference materials in their area of research, including statistical sources.
  • follow effective research paths, particularly the use of subject encyclopedias to narrow and focus their topic and find additional keywords to use in database searches.
  • know how to evaluate potential resources, both print and electronic, and will understand the concept of peer-reviewed, or refereed, journals.  This will include familiarity with limiting features in appropriate databases, availability of reviewing resources for books and other materials, and URL and web page analysis.
  • understand, but not be intimidated by, the immensity of the information environment.
  • see the librarian as their ally in meeting the challenges of research projects in their major course of study and other upper-level classes.