Creating Effective Library Research Assignments--Africana Library, Cornell University

Creating Effective Library Research Assignments

The Africana Librarian, Eric Kofi Acree, is happy to help you create useful and educational library research assignments for your students. The suggestions listed below are offered to help make library research a positive experience for your students.

As you begin to design the assignment for your course, consult with the Africana Librarian, Eric Kofi Acree, to discuss the purpose of the assignment and to determine whether the Libraries have sufficient resources to support your students' research. In general librarians are experts on information sources and the research processes. They can help you identify potential strengths and weakness in proposed research assignments.Take a look the following sample library research assignments links for ideas:

Ideas for Library/Information Assignments - Memorial University of Newfoundland Libraries

Alternative Assignments - Ohio University Libraries

Tacoma Community College Library - Sample Library Research Assignments

Have clear objectives and instructions. If students have difficulty understanding what they are supposed to do, they will have trouble doing it.

Prepare your students for the assignment. Tell them what purpose it serves, how it relates to the course goals, and your expectations for them. Check for understanding.

Create your assignment so that the students are able to choose from a variety of topics. This will help avoid the problem of all students needing exactly the same resources at the same time, which can create frustruation when resources are limited.

For more complex assignments, consider breaking the assignment into steps and assigning a deadline for each step.

Do not assume that your students have had prior experience using the CU Libraries. For example, for many freshmen this may be their first time using an academic library and many of them are unfamilar with the importance of the journal literature. Have them review the Research Strategy: A Tutorial.

For assignments which require the use of limited resources, place material on Course Reserve. This will ensure that every student in your class has an equal opportunity to access the item.

Avoid giving a scavenger hunt assignment. Asking students to locate random facts or locations is one of the least effective assignments. It lacks a clear purpose, teaches little, and is frustrating to students.

Pre-test the assignment yourself to make sure the materials can be found, and to see what difficulties students may have in accessing information resources.

At the beginning of the semester, send or fax a copy of your syllabus and assignments to Eric Kofi Acree, Uris Library, fax: (607) 255-2493.

One of the most effective ways for students to complete library research assignments is for them to have a library instruction session near the time the assignment is due. It is always best if the students know the assignment before the library visit, and have some idea of what they are researching. This will cut down on student anxiety about the assignment, and lead to a much more effective session. For samples of guides for specific classes visit: http://www.library.cornell.edu/africana/faculty/guides.html.

Adapted from Creating Effective Library Research Assignments, University at Buffalo. Originally written by Eric Kofi Acree.


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		Print This Page Creating Effective Library Research Assignments The Africana Librarian, Eric Kofi Acree, is happy to help you create useful and educational library research assignments for your students. The suggestions listed below are offered to help make library research a positive experience for your students. As you begin to design the assignment for your course, consult with the Africana Librarian, Eric Kofi Acree, to discuss the purpose of the assignment and to determine whether the Libraries have sufficient resources to support your students' research. In general librarians are experts on information sources and the research processes. They can help you identify potential strengths and weakness in proposed research assignments.Take a look the following sample library research assignments links for ideas: Ideas for Library/Information Assignments - Memorial University of Newfoundland Libraries Alternative Assignments - Ohio University Libraries Tacoma Community College Library - Sample Library Research Assignments Have clear objectives and instructions. If students have difficulty understanding what they are supposed to do, they will have trouble doing it. Prepare your students for the assignment. Tell them what purpose it serves, how it relates to the course goals, and your expectations for them. Check for understanding. Create your assignment so that the students are able to choose from a variety of topics. This will help avoid the problem of all students needing exactly the same resources at the same time, which can create frustruation when resources are limited. For more complex assignments, consider breaking the assignment into steps and assigning a deadline for each step. Do not assume that your students have had prior experience using the CU Libraries. For example, for many freshmen this may be their first time using an academic library and many of them are unfamilar with the importance of the journal literature. Have them review the Research Strategy: A Tutorial. For assignments which require the use of limited resources, place material on Course Reserve. This will ensure that every student in your class has an equal opportunity to access the item. Avoid giving a scavenger hunt assignment. Asking students to locate random facts or locations is one of the least effective assignments. It lacks a clear purpose, teaches little, and is frustrating to students. Pre-test the assignment yourself to make sure the materials can be found, and to see what difficulties students may have in accessing information resources. At the beginning of the semester, send or fax a copy of your syllabus and assignments to Eric Kofi Acree, Uris Library, fax: (607) 255-2493. One of the most effective ways for students to complete library research assignments is for them to have a library instruction session near the time the assignment is due. It is always best if the students know the assignment before the library visit, and have some idea of what they are researching. This will cut down on student anxiety about the assignment, and lead to a much more effective session. For samples of guides for specific classes visit: http://www.library.cornell.edu/africana/faculty/guides.html. Adapted from Creating Effective Library Research Assignments, University at Buffalo. Originally written by Eric Kofi Acree.