Using the assignment directions for their research project and a form from Choosing & Using Sources (a handout here), students plan what kinds of sources they will look for to meet the information needs they have identified.
Other activities in this series: Activity 3A, Information Needs; Activity 3B, Meeting Needs with Sources I; Activity 3C, Meeting Needs with Sources II; Activity 3D, Planning Your Sources I; and Activity 3F, Using Source Locator
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- State their reasons for looking for particular kinds of sources to meet individual information needs they have for their research assignment.
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. For best results, they also need to have developed a research question and need to know what their final product will be (e.g., a term paper, poster, model, etc.).
- It is recommended that students already have done the other activities in this series or at least have read Chapter 3 of Choosing & Using Sources before doing this activity.
- If students have done Activities 3A or 3D and kept their partially completed Handouts 3A-1 or 3D-2, ask them to bring that handout to class for this activity. The advantage of using their partially completed handout that they will then have a single handout on which they have planned their sources.
- Handout 3E-1 must be in print.
- Students can complete Handout 3E-2 electronically or in print.
- At the end of the activity, students should keep their completed Handout 3E-2 so they can work on it again when doing Activities 3F, Using Source Locator.
- Allow students to do their work in pairs for this activity, if they prefer.
Pre-Class Preparation
- Review the handouts and the answer key for this activity.
- Review In-Class Procedure below.
- Read the second section of Choosing and Using Sources, Chapter 3, Sources to Meet Information Needs, if you haven’t already.
- Look at the electronic version of Handout 3E-2 at http://go.osu.edu/planforsources.
- If you decided on electronic handouts, put Handout 3E-2 in your learning management system. (Handout 3E-1 must be in print.)
- If you decided on paper copies, print Handouts 3E-1 (1 copy per student and 1 for yourself) and 3E-2 (1 copy per student and 1 for yourself) and Answer Key 3E-1 (1 copy for yourself). (Some students may be bringing their partially completed Handout 3A-1, but it is a good idea to be prepared for those who forget.)
- Consider assigning students to read before class the second section of Choosing and Using Sources, Chapter 3, Sources to Meet 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 Key 3E-1, plan any discussion of answers on the handout.
- Download and perhaps print In-Class Procedure and Answer Key 3E-1 so you can take them with you to class.
In-Class Procedure
- If you’re having students use printed copies of Handouts 3E-1 and 3E-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 3E-2, give them this link: http://go.osu.edu/planforsources
- Ask students to use their partially completed Handout 3A-1 if they brought it. Otherwise, they can work with Handout 3E-2 as they follow the directions 3E-1.
- Give them 10 minutes to fill out the column on the handout form called Publication Formats Likely to be Helpful in Meeting Each Need. (Students may need some examples to understand what you mean by format.)
- 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 3E-2 if you are going to have them complete the remaining column during Activity 3F or on their own.
Relevant Choosing & Using Sources Chapters:
Chapter 3, Sources and Information Needs.
