Course Specific Research Support for WR 123: Home

Learning Goals Indicators:
1.1.A. Develop a researchable question which demonstrates curiosity about a topic
1.1.B. Use divergent thinking (brainstorming, lateral thinking) and metacognitive reflection to surface prior knowledge, identify points of personal connection to apply to new knowledge, consider accuracy of prior knowledge, and to extend perceptions to include additional perspectives for next steps in research
1.1.C. Generate questions related to as well as embedded within a focused topic statement, evaluate those questions for perspective and point of view, identify research questions that practitioners or scholars are studying on the topic, and synthesize to a researchable question which addresses a problem or issue
1.1.D. Use advanced search strategies and different types of search language (controlled vocabulary, natural or colloquial language, keywords) for different applications
1.1.E. Read laterally to evaluate the reliability of information, and evaluate sources for usefulness, relevance, author's expertise
1.1.F. With support, select and use effective tools and source types with specific conventions, to access information, including specialized, subject-specific, and scholarly sources
1.1.G. Evaluate information for accuracy, validity, importance, and bias, using increasingly complex qualifiers
1.1.H. Compare and use sources from a variety of digital formats and select the most appropriate for a specific purpose
1.1.J. Reflect on the effectiveness of a research process including problem solving, and progress through developing a topic into a researchable question

Learning Goals:
1.2.B. To make an informed decision, evaluate information, examine multiple positions, points of view, forms of argument, and challenge one's assumptions including confirmation bias
1.2.C. Use tools to concurrently organize, analyze, and synthesize information
1.2.D. Answer questions using information (quoted or paraphrased correctly) in proper context, providing attribution using varied and multiple sources
1.2.E. Make personal connections to topics of interest (personal experience, expertise, interest in new ideas and for academic or personal development) in order to locate and use information from credible sources, to extend complexity in thinking about a current event, social issue or other real-world problem, and to generate solutions with insight and synthesis
1.2.G. Make and defend informed conclusions based on complex criteria, including exploring multiple points of view, setting aside personal prejudices and assumptions, locating best evidence, and considering criteria specific to a topic
1.2.H. Reflect on the development of new knowledge in a topic, and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies and tools used in a research process

Learning Goals:
1.3.D. Identify and use specific criteria to track the acquisition of new understanding and to evaluate the effectiveness of a created product

Learning Goals
2.1.C. Recognize that information sources invite inference and interpretation within and across texts and experiences, to consider others' evidence-based inferences and interpretations, and to synthesize relationships among personal ideas, ideas from texts, and ideas from discussions
2.1.D. Reflect in discussions, and in writing, personal growth as a reader, and recognize how information sources may incorporate or promote social, historical, economic, political, and cultural commentary
2.1.F. Seek diverse and inclusive perspectives, be open to new ideas, recognize how selection of reading material affects the reader and can be empowering both personally and globally

Learning Goals
2.2.C. Critically analyze and evaluate the information presented in an information source, to locate evidence for building and supporting comprehension of texts, use comparisons to identify similarities or differences, ask inquiry questions when something from the text inspires seeking new knowledge

Learning Goals
3.2.A. Seek accuracy, legitimacy, and reliability in sources, and be objective when searching and reading, and demonstrate an understanding of how particular sources, including crowd sourced, contribute to general knowledge
3.2.C. Use strategies to avoid plagiarism, use subject-specific citation styles, and demonstrate an understanding of the rights and permissions for use of intellectual property, including public domain, and Creative Commons licenses

Learning Goals:
3.3.B. Demonstrate an understanding that diverse ideas and world views which challenge a researcher are necessary for informed participation in the social interchange within information ecosystems
3.3.C. Demonstrate an understanding that responsible information users draw reasonable conclusions based on analysis and interpretation of information, follow policies when using shared resources, take the initiative to suggest improvements, and recognize that choices impact how the information will be used and by whom

Link to a shared Google folder

Shared Google doc

Disposition:
Motivate themselves to find authoritative sources, recognizing that authority may be conferred or manifested in unexpected ways

Disposition:
Value the process of matching an information need with an appropriate product

Knowledge Practice:
Give credit to the original ideas of others through proper attribution and citation

Disposition:
Respect the original ideas of others

Knowledge Practices:
Formulate questions for research based on information gaps or on reexamination of existing, possibly conflicting, information

Determine an appropriate scope of investigation

Use various research methods, based on need, circumstance, and type of inquiry

Organize information in meaningful ways

Synthesize ideas gathered from multiple sources

Draw reasonable conclusions based on the analysis and interpretation of information

Dispositions:
Consider research as open-ended exploration and engagement with information

Value intellectual curiosity in developing questions and learning new investigative methods

Maintain an open mind and a critical stance

Seek multiple perspectives during information gathering and assessment

Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and using information

Knowledge Practice:
Cite the contributing work of others in their own information production

Knowledge Practices:
Determine the initial scope of the task required to meet their information needs

Identify interested parties, such as scholars, organizations, governments, and industries, who might produce information about a topic and then determine how to access that information

Match information needs and search strategies to appropriate search tools

Design and refine needs and search strategies as necessary, based on search results

Understand how information systems (i.e., collections of recorded information) are organized in order to access relevant information

Use different types of searching language (e.g., controlled vocabulary, keywords, natural language) appropriately;
manage searching processes and results effectively

Dispositions:
Understand that first attempts at searching do not always produce adequate results

Realize that information sources vary greatly in content and format and have varying relevance and value, depending on the needs and nature of the search

Seek guidance from experts, such as librarians, researchers, and professionals

Persist in the face of search challenges, and know when they have enough information to complete the information task