Using the assignment directions for their research project, students will decide which information needs they will have for their research project and record it on a handout called A Plan for Sources. They will also record whether meeting a need will result in a particular section of their final product or that it will be a need they will nonetheless have to meet by reading and thinking in order to move forward with their research project.
Other activities in this series: Activity 3B, Meeting Needs with Sources I; Activity 3C, Meeting Needs with Sources II; Activity 3D, Planning Your Sources I; Activity 3E, Planning Your Sources II; and Activity 3F, Using Source Locator
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Explain that meeting information needs is the reason they need sources for a research project.
- Determine which information needs they have for their research project.
- Decide whether each information need will result in a section of their final product or will only need to be read and thought about.
Relevant Threshold Concepts
- Information creation as a process.
Suggestions for Use
- This activity can be used only in classes where students already have a research assignment and directions for carrying it out, particularly for how they should produce their final product. They do not yet need to have developed a research question, but they do need to know what the final product will be (e.g., a term paper, poster, model etc.).
- Students’ work on Handout 3A-2 is the first step of planning their sources for their research project, which continues with Activities 3B, Meeting Needs with Sources I; 3C, Meeting Needs with Sources II; 3D, Planning Your Sources; and 3E, Using Source Locator. Instructors can pick and choose among these activities rather than use all of them, if they prefer.
- Students can complete Handout 3A-2 electronically or in print. Handout 3A-1 must be in print.
- Students should keep their Handout 3A-2 so they can work on it again when doing Activities 3D, Planning Your Sources, and 3E, Locating Sources.
Pre-Class Preparation
- Review the handouts and the answer key for this activity.
- Review In-Class Procedure below.
- Read the first section of Choosing and Using Sources, Chapter 3, Sources and Information Needs.
- Print 1 copy per student and 1 for yourself of Handout 3A-1.
- If you decided on print copies for Handout 3A-2, print 1 copy per student and 1 for yourself and 1 copy for yourself of Answer Key 3A-1.
- Look at the electronic version of Handout 3A-2 at http://go.osu.edu/planforsources.
- Consider assigning students to read before class the first section of Choosing and Using Sources, Chapter 3, Sources and Information Needs.
- Assign students to bring their research project assignment, including directions and any other relevant material to class with them.
- Prepare to introduce the session, using your own remarks or In-Class Procedure, if it is helpful.
- Using Answer Sheet 3A-1, plan any discussion of answers on the handout.
- Download and perhaps print In-Class Procedure and Answer Key 3A-1 so you can take them with you to class.
In-Class Procedure
- If you’re having students use printed copies of Handouts 3A-1 and 3A-2, pass them out or set them where students can pick them up as they come in.
- If you’re having students use an electronic Handout 3A-2, give them this link: http://go.osu.edu/planforsources
- Ask students to complete part of Handout 3A-2 in 10 minutes by following the directions on Handout 3A-1.
- After about 10 minutes, go over the answers with students. Ask for and answer questions they may have. Conclude the discussion by reminding students that having to meet information needs is the reason they need sources for their research projects.
- Tell students to keep their handout 3A-2 if you are going to have them complete other parts of it in Activities 3D and/or 3E.
Relevant Choosing & Using Sources Chapters:
Chapter 3, Sources and Information Needs.
