Effective library research assignments:
 

• Have a specific purpose related to some aspect of the course subject matter.
• Communicate specific learning objectives.
• Create an awareness of the variety of resources available.
• Teach students to access information effectively and efficiently.
• Help students develop research strategies.
• Assist students in selecting and evaluating quality information sources.
• Encourage critical thinking.

Creating an Effective Library Research Assignment

• Assume minimal library knowledge. Many students are very inexperienced in using a research library. Few understand the call number system or journal citations; even fewer have mastered the more complex concepts of controlled vocabulary or database searching.
• Consult with your subject librarian before writing the assignment. The librarian will work with you to design an assignment that will achieve your objectives.
• Define terms for your students. Explain what “peer-reviewed journal,” “primary or secondary source material,” or other such phrases mean in your discipline.
• Create meaningful assignments. Library assignments that are directly related to students' coursework may be more effective than scavenger hunts that send them searching for trivia.
• Verify that the library has materials to support the assignment. Your subject librarian can assist you with this, as well as recommend specific library resources.
• Define the types of Internet sources that are acceptable for a specific assignment. Let students know that there is difference between general Internet sites and scholarly resources available via the library’s online databases.
• If time permits, schedule a library instruction session for your class. Librarians offer a wide range of instructional services from basic orientation to specialized research guidance and online subject guides.