1. Examine the
treatment of a controversial issue in several sources. For example, a newspaper
editorial, scholarly journal, periodicals from different disciplines, or association
websites.
2. Locate a
topic in an online news website, database or newspaper index. The topic can
be current or controversial or on a specific event. Then, search a periodical
database and identify two scholarly journal articles on that topic in roughly
the same time period as the news to read and compare.
3. Search for
a recent scholarly article on a given topic. Compare the article content to
that of a textbook.
4. What does
"the literature" of a particular discipline look like? What comprises it?
Investigate the production and dissemination of information in a given discipline.
How and by whom is the knowledge produced? How and in which media or format
is it presented or communicated? What is the publishing cycle? How important
is informal communication in the field? How important is grey literature?
How do people keep abreast of new information in this field?
5. Identify an
article on a given topic using a periodical database. Read the article and
write an abstract of it. Compare it to the published/provided abstract.
6. Create an
annotated bibliography (descriptive or evaluative) of a specified number of
sources.
7. Update and
annotate a bibliography from a chapter of a book that is 10-50 years old individually
or in small groups. Perhaps identify new terms or subjects which appear connected
with the topic.
8. Working in
groups or alone, prepare a print or web-based guide to introduces others to
the various information sources in a discipline or on a specific topic.
9. Find out
more about the people and issues involved in a significant event or a classic
publication in a given discipline.
10. Locate two
articles in a periodical database presenting differing viewpoints, such as
scholarly vs. popular or conservative vs. liberal.
11. Analyze the
content, tone, style and audience of three journals and/or websites central
to your discipline. Examine the instructions for authors for each journal.
[Instructions for authors are frequently available on the Web.]
12. Compare how
a topic is treated in several various print and electronic reference sources.
Note any apparent standards in layout of the various sources, including textbook
chapters, research articles, newspaper articles, news releases, factsheets,
handbooks, and/or government reports.
13. Working through
the research cycle for a term paper, do everything except write it. At various
stages, submit the following: * clearly defined topic * annotated bibliography
of useful sources * outline of paper * thesis statement * opening paragraph
and summary
14. Research
a topic and present it as a poster or webpage.
15. Maintain
a research log by recording the methodology, sources consulted, and keywords
or subject headings searched. Note both successes and failures. How did the
results affect their thinking on the topic? [Forms may assist students understand
how to structure their approach.]
16. Provide a
precise statement of the search topic and an outline of the search logic to
search the Internet. Run the search on two or three different search engines.
Compare the results.
17. Provide a
precise statement of a search topic, a list of keywords and synonyms and comparable
thesaurus terms as appropriate, and an outline of search logic to search a
periodicals database. Justify the choice of database. Perform the search.
Analyze the results, revise search strategy and perform the more effective
search.
18. Compare Internet
search engine and periodical database searches using identical search statements.
Print or email the initial search results and compare the findings. Revise
and appropriately search each source again. Compare the final results.
19. Read and
update an older review article.
20. Using book
reviews, biographical information, and citation indexes, explore how and why
a work becomes a "classic." What effect can a classical work have on a discipline?
21. Trace an
important paper through a citation index such as Science Citation Index. What
does it mean to be "cited"? How important is it that a scholar be cited?
22. Explore a
scholar or researcher's career and ideas by locating biographical information,
preparing a bibliography of writings, and analyzing the reaction of the scholarly
community to the researcher's work.
23. Compare primary
and secondary sources on the same topic. When are either used in a given discipline?
24. Identify
and examine the assumptions implicit in an article. Identify the author's
thesis and outline the theoretical framework used to account for the results.
[Specific questions may assist the students in focusing on various aspects
of the article.]
25. Examine the
experimental design, data, and interpretation of the data in a research paper
for adequacy and consistency. [Again, selected questions may assist students
to focus on specific aspects.]
26. Read several
articles which appear to address the same question but reach different conclusions.
Account for the differences by examining methodology, experimental design,
and the interpretation of results.
27. Working in
groups or alone, examine a small number of items such as books, articles,
or websites. Establish indicators of quality, where these indicators are found,
and the appropriate use for each item. Report findings to the class.
28. Review a
book or film. Discuss the author's credentials. Compare the book or film to
similar works in the field. Evaluate the film to its source book or play.
29. Read selected
articles from various sources and indicate who¹s voice is being represented
in a particular passage or argument. Is it the author who is a reporter or
researcher? Or is it a geography professor at SDSU, a pediatrician, the CEO
of Home Depot, or a politician?
30. Read the
articles cited in a research paper. Explain how each is related to the paper.
When is it appropriate to cite other papers? What different purposes do the
citations serve?
31. Compare the
reference lists of two published articles on the same topic. Evaluate the
choice of materials cited by the authors. What clues do the citations indicate
about the article?
32. Critique
an article. Locate two webpages supporting your response to the topic. Cite
the URLs in an appropriate format and highlight the points indicating this
support.
33. Examine the
format of various abstracts. Note that some abstracts do not reflect the article
title or content. Write an abstract for a published paper. Compare your abstract
to that provided at the beginning of the article and/or in a periodical database.
34. Find and
evaluate a website. Cite the website in a specific citation format and write
a brief evaluation (2-3 paragraphs). Note reasons why these pages are, or
are not appropriate for university level student research or for in-class
use. Due to the evolving nature of the WWW, attach a printout of the first
page of the website.
35. Examine an
original work from Special Collections and contrast it to current works in
a given discipline. If you have additional suggestions for this list, please
send them to the individual listed below.
