Presentation for the Center for Teaching Excellence at Lansing Community College to share results from my sabbatical project, as well as practical applications for developing research assignments. Thanks to Maricopa Community College for sharing an <a>assignment planning checklist and sample assignment</a> that I adapted and used in the workshop.

1. DEVELOPING
EFFECTIVE RESEARCH
ASSIGNMENTS
Suzanne Bernsten
Lansing Community College Library
November 14, 2016

2. Agenda
• Overview
• Sabbatical Findings
• Research Assignment Design
• Evaluate a Sample Assignment Handout
• Assignment Ideas

3. Learning Outcomes
• You will gain an appreciation for the importance of a well-designed handout for
research assignments.
• You will come away with specific elements and resources to improve assignment
handouts to help students navigate the research process.
• You will get an idea for a new research assignment you could use in your classes.

4. Sabbatical Project
Research Questions:
• What types of assignments do faculty give which require research?
• How effective are assignment handouts in guiding students to successfully complete
assignments?
• What type of support do students need to complete assignments?
Spring 2016, I conducted:
• Survey
• Interviews with Faculty, Students, andTutors
• Assignment Handout Analysis

5. Project Information Literacy
"Assigning Inquiry: How Handouts for Research Assignments GuideToday's
College Students," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information
Literacy Progress Report, University ofWashington's Information School, July 13,
2010.
"Learning the Ropes: How Freshmen Conduct Course Research OnceThey Enter
College," Alison J. Head, Project Information Literacy Research Report, December
4, 2013.
"Truth BeTold: How College Students Evaluate and Use Information in the
Digital Age," Alison J. Head and Michael B. Eisenberg, Project Information Literacy
Progress Report, University ofWashington's Information School, November 1, 2010.

6. Survey Results
• 83% of faculty required research assignments
• Websites and scholarly journals were the most frequently required source type
• 54% of faculty were familiar with the research guides
• Many different types of assignments (see handout)

7. Faculty Interviews
• Assignment handout is supplemented with classroom instruction
• Some abandoned research assignments due to poor performance
• Some areas, research assignments are assigned only in more advanced and
honors courses

8. Student Interviews
2010 Project
Information
Literacy 8,353
undergrads in 25
colleges
84% said getting
started was the
most difficult part
of the research
project.

9. Assignment Handouts at LCC
Characteristics of Assignment Handouts Count
Context – Explains relation of assignment to course
Yes
No
11
5
Topic Definition
Defined by professor
Chosen by student from professor-defined topics
Defined by student
0
3
13
Grading – Includes explanation for evaluation
Yes
No
9
7
Citation style specified
Yes
No
8
8

10. Guidance about types of information sources
Sources Required Recommended Discouraged Prohibited No Mention
Library shelves (e.g.
books, reserves)
1 3 0 0 12
Library online sources
(e.g. databases)
5 3 0 0 8
Course readings (no on
reserve)
0 2 0 0 12
Primary sources (e.g.
interviews)
0 2 0 0 12
Web sites (excluding
Wikipedia)
1 4 0 0 11
Librarians 0 1 0 0 15
Search Engines (e.g.
Google)
0 0 0 0 16
Wikipedia 0 0 1 1 14
Blogs 0 1 0 0 15

11. Major Findings
• Scaffold research assignments
• Include more specifics on research assignment handouts to help students get started.
• Improve awareness of library resources and services.
• Strengthen the focus of library instruction on source evaluation and lifelong learning.

12. ResearchAssignment Design
Choose one or two of the research assignment design suggestions on the handout
and share with a partner how you currently use these ideas with your assignments.
Are there any suggestions you would add to the list?
Be ready to share one example with the large group.

13. Evaluate a SampleAssignment Handout
Work at your table to evaluate the sample assignment handout using the suggested
guidelines.
Be ready to share with the large group one thing you liked and one suggestion for
improving the assignment.

14. Assignment Ideas
Select an assignment to analyze from:
• the list of assignment ideas from LCC faculty
• an assignment you brought
Discuss the following questions about the assignment with a partner:
1. What do students find most challenging about this assignment?
2. Has it produced the results you hoped for? Are there aspects of the assignment
you’re especially pleased with or puzzled about?

15. References
Thanks to Maricopa Community Colleges for sharing their Planning Checklist and
Sample Research Assignment Handout which were adapted for use in this
workshop.
http://libguides.maricopa.edu/research_assignment_handouts_workshop

16. Next Steps and Questions?
• Send Suzanne an assignment to add to the Designing Effective Research
Assignments Guide
• Make an appointment with your library liaison to discuss a current or new
assignment
• Share the Designing Effective Research Assignments Guide
http://libguides.lcc.edu/assignments with colleagues
• Use the Planning Checklist when creating and revising assignments

17. Go Round
• What is one change you will make to your assignment handouts
• What is a new type of assignment you might try with your students?