Research myth-busting

Discover the truth about today’s library services and resources to design better research assignments

KY Pedagogicon

May 16, 2014Julie S. George - EKU Libraries

Kelly Smith - EKU Libraries Steve Stone - BCTC Library

Summarize an assignment you have given your students where you required them to research and find sources.

Myth

Only print resources are acceptable

Reality

Academic Libraries pay for scholarly online resources that are the equivalent or better than the print version

Online eBook: http://ekulib.kyvl.org/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=1200810NYT: http://screencast.com/t/UEM23E0BI http://search.proquest.com/docview/109752444?accountid=10628 eJournal: http://libproxy.eku.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=50315661&site=ehost-live&scope=sitePrimary Source: http://library.eku.edu/resources/type/20

Myth

I need to tell students exactly which resources to use to get them to use quality ones

Reality

Allowing students to explore the library’s resources and choosing the best resource to apply to their topic builds critical thinking skills they need

Myth

Students had a library instruction session when they were freshman in a composition class so they don’t need one for this 300 level class.

Reality

Research has shown that instruction is most effective in higher level classes. Librarians design instruction around individual class assignments.

Myth

A resource is not currently subscribed to by my library, therefore my students cannot get access to it.

Reality

It depends. Today’s publishing and distribution has enabled the library to quickly obtain needed materials, as funds allow. This has led to the rise of “demand-driven acquisitions” and “data-driven” collections renewal decisions.

See http://scholarship.claremont.edu/library_staff/9/

Myth

Doing research the way I did research in graduate school is the only way to do research. No Pain, No Gain

Really? Was this ever that good?

http://www.ssa.gov/history/ssa/usa1964-3.html

Reality

It depends. The quality of sources is still very important, but the access to those sources has changed in many cases. The strategies to find those important documents and resources has changed and will keep changing. TEDtalks, videos from a MOOC at Cal Tech . . . these could be acceptable

Myth

Social Media is only an avenue for finding the location of the best party on campus

http://www.hortongroup.com/blog/social-media-seminars-what-you-can-expect

Reality

Social Media outlets are great ways for students to collaborate with experts from around the world in many different ways.

Myth

Scavenger hunts are great ways for students to learn how to use the library

Fun or frustrating?

http://dandelionexpress.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/a-treasure-hunt-for-nerds/

RealityNo. Scavenger hunts feed into all the worst stereotypes for students, and they get the sense that the library is arbitrary, difficult to use, and disconnected from what they are interested in.

Librarians are often frustrated because they are unable to really help students with these projects.

Myth

Students today are extremely tech savvy and know everything about using technology.

RealityThey may know how to program your iPhone or talk about themselves on social media. But, they don’t always know how to use the technology to find and use appropriate evidence to make an argument and they often have difficulty communicating their ideas using technology (PowerPoint, Prezi…)

Myth

As long as it is for educational use, I don’t have to worry about copyright and can post whatever I want to Blackboard.

RealityNot exactly. Copyright law does include some educational exemptions, especially for face to face classes, but in general, a work in copyright CANNOT be reproduced without permission from the copyright holder. When in doubt, LINK.

Resources...Title 17 of the US Code, Chapter 1, Section 110 - http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.pdf Know your Copy Rights-What You Can Do - http://www.knowyourcopyrights.org/bm~doc/kycrbrochure.pdf - a brochure

from the Association of Research Libraries

Go back and review your research assignments.  Are your placing restrictions that are prohibitive?  Are you frustrating your students? Are you working with a librarian to create effective assignments? We are here to help!

Thanks! Questions?

Julie Silver Georgejulie.george@eku.edu

Kelly Smithkelly.smith2@eku.edu

Steve Stonesteve.stone@kctcs.edu