Outcomes:

• Students understand the parameters of the research assignment
• Students formulate a thesis statement or research question that fits into the parameters of the research assignment
• Students use the library and internet resources appropriately to explore a topic.

• Make students understand all the requirements for the assignment:
• The difference between scholarly journals and magazines-- have students compare magazines and scholarly works on the same topic, the value and difference between multiple types of resources--books, reference books, scholarly journals, newspapers, magazines, websites, databases, websites etc.
• Having smaller assignments due during the research process: choosing a topic, thesis statement, working title, working bibliography
• First draft, Final Project, Works Cited

Outcomes:

• Students select key words or phrases along with Boolean operators to create an effective search strategy
• Students identify, select and use appropriate sources (using the library's catalog, other appropriate information resources-- encyclopedias, databases, web sites)
• Students understand all elements of citations and different types of sources (e.g. journal articles, books, web sites)

• Have students find a relevant source and use its bibliography to track down other relevant sources.
• Have students keep a research log in which they record their research methogology, sources consulted, keywords and both success and failures. Provide students wotj a sample form so they know exactly what process to record.
• Have students practice writing citations for different kinds of publications print, electronic, article, book, newspaper, web site.
• Use an exercise sheet with different kinds of citations: Have students identify type of citation and circle the part of the citation that they would use to search in the catalog or database.

Outcomes:

• Students analyze the content, structure, and techniques of information resources
• Students evaluate the reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness and point of view/bias of informatiion resources
• Students choose information relevant to their focus and audience

• Have students compare a magazine and a scholarly work on the same topic
• Have students create a bibliography of sources they have used for their projects and explain why they choose each source and how each is relevant to their needs

Uses Information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

Outcomes:

• Students synthesize information from diverse sources to reach an informed conclusion.
• Students organize information in a way that meets the requiremens of the assignment.

• Have students work in samll groups to present a poster session or PowerPoint presentation on their research topics
• Have students work in small groups to present research findings on a topic, with each student presenting for a different audience or presenting a different aspect of the topic.
• Have students practice summarizing journal articles.

Outcomes:

• Students demonstrate an awareness of the social issues around the use of information: copyright, censorship etc.
• Students understand and avoid inadvertent plagiarism.
• Students understand and correctly use the appropriate citation format.

• Have students track down sources used by other students in their bibliographies.
• Ask students to find a newspaper or magazine article on copyright, censorship, or plagiarism. Then have them write a one page opinion piece about how this would affect some aspect of their real life outside school, in their future career, parent, as a taxpayer, as a consumer etc.
• Have students grade each others work cited page for correct style and completeness of citations as well as appropriateness of sources cited.