Librarians in the Midst: Improving Student Research Through Collaborative Instruction.
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| Title: | Librarians in the Midst: Improving Student Research Through Collaborative Instruction. |
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| Authors: | Shannon, Amanda1 (AUTHOR), Shannon, Vaughn1 (AUTHOR) vaughn.shannon@wright.edu |
| Source: | Journal of Political Science Education. Oct-Dec2016, Vol. 12 Issue 4, p457-470. 14p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Information literacy, *Library science, *Student research, *Librarians, Embedded librarians |
| Abstract: | We test whether and how well the presence of an embedded librarian improves the quality of student research. Students in introductory-level courses tend to have very low levels of research skills and experience. Though faculty are frustrated by this lack of skills, both students and faculty tend to have only a peripheral knowledge of the role librarians can play in helping develop their research skills. Studies suggest that embedding librarians into course instruction is the preferred method for improving students’ research skills, yet the political science teaching and learning literature rarely addresses this issue or focuses on single-class experiences, measuring change in student knowledge and skills from the beginning to the end of a semester. We compare two International Politics courses taught in consecutive fall semesters with different levels of librarian involvement in the class. We assess the changes in quality and the use of information sources in the final research papers, both from a bibliographic perspective (looking at the number, quality, and variety of sources used) as well as an information-use perspective (looking at the relevance of cited material in supporting arguments). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
| Copyright of Journal of Political Science Education is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | We test whether and how well the presence of an embedded librarian improves the quality of student research. Students in introductory-level courses tend to have very low levels of research skills and experience. Though faculty are frustrated by this lack of skills, both students and faculty tend to have only a peripheral knowledge of the role librarians can play in helping develop their research skills. Studies suggest that embedding librarians into course instruction is the preferred method for improving students’ research skills, yet the political science teaching and learning literature rarely addresses this issue or focuses on single-class experiences, measuring change in student knowledge and skills from the beginning to the end of a semester. We compare two International Politics courses taught in consecutive fall semesters with different levels of librarian involvement in the class. We assess the changes in quality and the use of information sources in the final research papers, both from a bibliographic perspective (looking at the number, quality, and variety of sources used) as well as an information-use perspective (looking at the relevance of cited material in supporting arguments). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER] |
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| ISSN: | 15512169 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15512169.2016.1157486 |
