Assignment ideas:

• Find two articles on a topic. Read both but then choose one as the better. Written: explanation of research process and evaluative process, what made one the preferred choice over the other, etc. (May also include some guidance in assignment to help strengthen skill of working within project scope- must be from a geographical region, period of time, scholarly/ news/ trade, etc.)
• Provide a sample thesis argument and assign a specific, related article for reading. Have students identify ONE piece of info from the article that they think would be useful to quote/ paraphrase in support of the thesis. Explain why that piece, how they would use it, and what additional types of info they might also need to locate to formulate a strong argument (statistics, definitions, counter-argument, etc.)
• Add a component to existing reflective assignments; find an article to relate to reflective experience and address certain questions: what was the main idea of the article, what about the author gave you confidence in their authority, what information gaps exist in the article, etc.
• Better utilize all components of an annotated bibliography (not just summary).
• Have a norming session with the class to read and evaluate a paper(s) using the IL rubric.

Multi-disciplinary

Research Plan

Identifying information needs, critically selecting possible resources, and analyzing potential sources are integral parts of hte research process.  If these steps in the research process are executed thoroughly, then a great deal of critical thinking is involved.  If the physical process and the thought process of research are captured, a wonderful artifact can be the result.

Research Plans are helpful as an accompaniment to any research assignment to help reinforce good practice and critical thinking.  Embellish the basic plan format and they may serve as the primiary project instead of an accompaniment.  The fundamental Research Plan used in the Library and within the Core can be found here .  REMEBER: For maximun effectiveness, It is important to have the plan executed in stages, aside research and not afterwards as reflection.

Annotated Bibliography 

The artful crafting of a critical annotated bibliography can be an excellent way to encourage students to find, analyze and compare current field research on any topic!  The Library page on annotated bibliographies provides an excellent framework to guide students.

     For those wanting to further increase the rigor of the project:

•                Add the Research Plan or a research journal to the assignment
•                Require students to include a list of several sources that they WOULD NOT select and explain why

Article Review

A scaled back version of the annotated bibliography can ask a student to locate one scholarly journal article on a topic and examine it with the same critical elements of an annotated bibliography.  It could be written as a short paper and include the student's rationale as to why they selected this particular article from the canon of existing research.

Art/ Art History

Cultural Context

    Students can research the historical and cultural context of a piece and write a short paper where they also discuss how the context is represented in the piece.

     Students can identify pieces that represent images from the Bible and discuss how the context of the time in which it was created manifest.

Helpful Library Resources: Credo Reference, JSTOR

Communications, Marketing or Political Science

Campaigns      

Have students run an advertising or political campaign.  Current or historic political campaign elements could contain stump speeches and tv spots. Research will be used to identify platform points, major issues, opposition weak spots, deomgraphics, etc.  Speeches, debates, or tv ad films/story boards could serve as the artifact.

       Market research information and advertising campaign could be the artifact for other disciplines.

Helpful Library Resources:

Datamonitor 360, Business Source Premier, Research Starters- Business, America: History & Life

Digital tools for creating project artifact: Techology Tools Research Guide

Political Science

Political Cartoons

Students can dissect a current or historic political cartoon and research its meaning, context, as well as discuss the sub-text and symbols contained therein.  Students might also interpret a current or historic event in their own political cartoon, incorporating their own symbols and subtle messages.