Course Research Scavenger Hunt

Assignment Outcomes

  • Students will be able to find a librarian in order to ask relevant questions to their research.

  • Students will be able to identify a credible, academic source.

  • Students will be able to create a correct MLA citation for a source.

  • Students will be able to understand the differences between summary and critique and produce both for a source.

  • Students will be able to demonstrate a level-appropriate research process and source search strategy.

Relevant Course Outcome

  • Students will be able to identify the steps of the research process and apply information literacy skills in a variety of contexts.

Instructions

Items to find in the Course Research Scavenger Hunt. Hint: follow right down the list and through the bullet points!

1) Decide what text you are focusing on for your Course Research.

2) Decide on your reading lens for the Course Research from the list in the How to Read activity (may not be Plot lens).

3) A signed Library Visit Form OR Copy of Chat Transcript/Email with Librarian

  • If physically going to the library:

    • Print the Library Visit Form.

    • Go to the library and consult with one of the librarians about your research.

    • Have your librarian fill out the Library Visit Form.

    • Scan or take a photo of the form and email to Dr. T.

  • If talking to a librarian through chat/email:

    • Start a chat with a librarian here. OR email with a FSU librarian. Information on the Research and Citation Help Page.

    • Consult with one of the librarians about your research.

    • Save the chat or the email and email to Dr. T.

    • Before you talk with a librarian, do the following (and take them with you to the meeting):

        • Decide on your text

        • Decide on your reading lens

        • Make a list of possible topics for your Course Research

4) A search log, detailing how you found your ONE source for this assignment, including:

  • Click for a template that you should cut and paste into your own document. Note all of the columns and what you should be logging, which include:

    • Library research databases or other tools you used and the order in which you consulted them. You should be using multiple databases and tools. Note: no one tool contains all of the information of the world.

    • Search terms you used and the order in which you tried them. Note: do not forget to use multiple search terms in each tool.

    • Criteria you used to narrow down your search. Why did you change your search term/strategy?

    • Criteria you used to determine credibility of the source.

    • Reasons you chose your final source.

  • Pro tip: keep records of (or copies of) the other research you find during your search to use later for your Course Research.

5) A credible, fact-checked, academic source relevant to the topic of your Course Research.

  • Questions about how to find a source? Think back to the activities we have completed in class. Also why don't you ask a librarian?

  • Questions concerning credibility? Again, think back to the activities we have completed in class. Also ask Dr. T or our librarian! Another source is here.

  • Also read further in: Research and Citation Help

  • Preferred options for type of source: journal article or book article (as these have enough content but are short enough to profile in the Scavenger Hunt), but the sources should be evaluated on their relevance and credibility first.

6) A correct MLA citation for this source (i.e. what would appear in a Works Cited).

7) A summary of source’s content, particularly its argument (minimum 200 words).

8) A brief critique of source’s content (minimum 200 words).

9) A paragraph outlining your idea for your Course Research, including identifying your reading lens (minimum 200 words).

Further Resources