Pathfinder

A pathfinder is an annotated research guide created for patrons to help locate current, reliable, authoritative sources on a specific topic. Topics selected for a pathfinder for the Wildcat Learning Commons must be relevant to curriculum, interest to teens, or specifically designed to help an instructor teach a particular topic.

Steps in the process:

1. Select a topic, working with the SLMC that is both relevant and appropriate.

2. Begin research on the topic. Find 5 print resources in the Wildcat Learning Commons to use. Each resource must have a CAARS rubric filled out completely. If you have trouble finding 5 good to excellent resources, please see the SLMC.

3. Research using NC Wise Owl. You will not need to fill out CLAAASS rubrics for these sources. These sources have been vetted for students already by selection to the database. Make sure to check currency and authority. You need 5 resources with the bottom part of the CLAAASS rubric filled out.

4. Research using any search engine you choose. Fill out 5 CLAAASS rubrics, one for each resources you find on the internet, if some resources fall in the Fair to Poor categories, you will need to research more websites until you have at least 5 that are in the Excellent to Good range. Wikipedia is not a good resource but may be starting place to find good resources.

5. Now there are a total of at least 15 resources. You will begin to format the pathfinder.

Pathfinder Guidelines

Centered Title

Scope Statement

This is a statement about the topic being researched. This should include time periods, specific items, or other identifying information.

Introduction

A short history of the topic and for whom it has been researched and written.

Subject Headings (Keywords)

What keywords did you use in searching? How do you think this would be classified in the DDS? Find the SEARS subject headings for your topic. Place the DDS numbers here, as well.

Print Materials

Call Number Title of work Number of stars (1-4)

full citation (from NCWiseOwl citation maker)

Your assessment from the CAARS rubric should appear here. Make sure to note whether this is a good or excellent resource. This should be 3-6 good sentences with examples from the resource, including at least 3 criteria from the rubric. If this book is a reference material, please note that it is shelved in a different location and has a different check-out time.

There will be four more print materials.

NC Wise Owl Database Materials

Title of work Number of stars (1-4)

full citation with full URL

Your assessment from the CLAAASS rubric should appear here. Make sure to note whether this is a good or excellent resource. This should be 3-6 good sentences with examples from the resource including at least 3 criteria from the rubric.

There will be four more NC Wise Owl resources.

Internet Materials

Title of work Number of stars (1-4)

full citation with full URL

Your assessment from the CLAAASS rubric should appear here. Make sure to note whether this is a good or excellent resource. This should be 3-6 good sentences with examples from the resource including at least 3 criteria from the rubric.

There will be four more Internet resources.

Page x of y

Student Name

Semester/Year

Format:

• Typed (using Calibri, Garamond, Georgia)
• Font size 12
• annotations will be 1.5 spaced (double space between annotations)
• 1 inch margins all sides
• Call number, Title should appear in bold
• Footer in the bottom right hand corner (page x of y) on each page
• save as Last name_first name_subject
• save as pdf using the naming convention above
• share with SLMC
• the little red line or green line under the text means, something is wrong - fix it before you turn it in