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Instruction suggestions for

Introductory undergraduate classes

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The main aims of introductory library sessions are to help students:

  • recognize the array of information available and some differences among sources
  • develop familiarity and confidence using WMU’s physical and virtual libraries
  • develop basic search and retrieval proficiencies in one or more online library database

The following list is designed to assist you in customizing library instruction for your class in the time available. This is not an exhaustive list; if you would like other resources or topics addressed, we are happy to discuss those options and work with you to shape the session to the particular needs of your class.

Times are variable for each topic on this list. Generally a 50- minute session allows time for you to choose about five (5) of these topics. Please discuss your choices and your requirements with the librarian who will be working with your class to ensure the session is tailored appropriately.

  1. Defining the research topic
  2. Recognizing differences between different types of resources (scholarly/popular, articles/books/open Web, etc)
  3. Identifying the type(s) of information needed (e.g. background, research-based, peer reviewed, primary etc.) depending on the assignment requirements
  4. Finding books on a topic in WMU’s catalog, WestCat, by keywords and subject headings
  5. Finding specified materials in WestCat by author and title
  6. Using call numbers and location information from a WestCat record to locate print materials in WMU’s libraries
  7. Finding articles on a topic via a general or subject-appropriate online index
  8. Focusing searches on the most relevant information in an online database by using subject headings and limits
  9. Refining searches in an online database by using AND and OR
  10. Accessing the full text of articles using Find it @WMU
  11. Using interlibrary loan to obtain materials not in the WMU collections
  12. Evaluating the relevance of retrieved citations and resources (by format, content, authority etc.)
  13. Evaluating Web sources for authority, currency, accuracy, bias etc.
  14. Understanding plagiarism issues and when and how to cite sources.
  15. Finding audiovisual materials on a topic using WestCat
  16. Finding slides using ImageCat
  17. Using archives and special collections

Undergraduate upper-level writing and research methods classes

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The main aims of upper undergraduate library sessions are to help students:

  • identify key information sources in their field of study
  • develop proficient search strategies and techniques to address a research need
  • develop evaluative, reflective and ethical research habits

The following list is designed to assist you in customizing the library instruction for your class in the time you have available. This is not an exhaustive list; if you would like other resources or topics addressed, we would be happy to discuss these options with you.

Times are variable for each topic on this list. Generally a 50- minute session allows time to cover five (5) of these topics. If you would like to choose more you may need to schedule a second class for your students to come to the library. Please discuss these options and your needs with the librarian who will be working with your class to ensure the session will be tailored to your unique needs.

  1. Identifying the type(s) of information needed (e.g. research-based, peer-reviewed, government reports etc).
  2. Using WMU Libraries’ Web pages to identify appropriate information sources by subject, format etc.
  3. Developing a realistic timeline of component tasks to complete the research and writing assignment.
  4. Using advanced search strategies and techniques in an appropriate scholarly online database.
  5. Evaluating the relevance of retrieved citations and modifying searches accordingly
  6. Using citation indexes to identify heavily cited sources and authors, and to find sources that cite particular items
  7. Accessing the full text of articles using Find it @ WMU (including interlibrary loan).
  8. Evaluating Web sources for authority, currency, accuracy, etc.
  9. Evaluating and working with retrieved information (extract and record pertinent material)
  10. Creating an annotated bibliography to summarize main ideas
  11. Understanding plagiarism and when and how to cite sources
  12. Finding images
  13. Using archives and special collections
  14. Finding government information
  15. Finding audiovisual materials
  16. Organizing and managing information using RefWorks citation management software
  17. Creating bibliographies using RefWorks citation management software*
  18. Citing and formatting sources within the text of a paper with the Refworks Write-N-Cite application*

* These topics also require selection of ‘Organizing and managing information using RefWorks

Graduate-level courses

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The main aims of graduate library sessions are to help students:

  • become evaluative, reflective, proficient and thorough researchers
  • organize, manage, integrate and reference information effectively and ethically
  • gain transferable research skills for life-long, real world problem solving

The following list is designed to assist you in customizing library instruction for your class, and to help you decide which topics you want addressed in the time available. This is not an exhaustive list; if you would like other resources or topics addressed, we are happy to discuss those options and work with you to shape the session to the particular needs of your class.

Times are variable for each topic on this list. Generally a 90- minute session allows time to cover eight (8) of these options. Please discuss your choices and your requirements with the librarian who will be working with your class to ensure the session is tailored appropriately.

  1. Finding and obtaining dissertations (full text and print)
  2. Using advanced search techniques and techniques in appropriate databases to focus in on relevant sources, and eliminate inessential works.
  3. Focusing on scholarly, peer reviewed materials in electronic databases
  4. Using the Journal Finder to search or browse through particular journal titles in your field.
  5. Locating government sources (federal, state, and local)
  6. Finding images
  7. Locating primary sources in your field
  8. Locating statistical sources
  9. Finding legal materials and court cases
  10. Patent searching
  11. Locating standards relevant to your field
  12. Searching the Web for scholarly materials; evaluating the results of Web searches for accuracy and authoritativeness
  13. Using Interlibrary Loan services to access materials not in the WMU collections
  14. Searching for sources and organizing a literature review
  15. Finding examples of a good literature review in your field
  16. Using citation indexes to identify heavily cited sources and authors, and to find sources that cite particular items.
  17. Keeping your literature review up to date by using automated “alerts” and listservs
  18. Saving searches and search results in electronic indexes.
  19. Compiling an annotated bibliography to summarize main ideas
  20. Developing a realistic timeline of component tasks for completing your research project or paper
  21. Understanding issues of academic integrity such as intellectual freedom; avoiding plagiarism.
  22. Organizing and managing information using RefWorks citation management software
  23. Creating bibliographies using RefWorks citation management software*
  24. Citing and formatting sources as you write with the RefWorks Write-N-Cite application*
* These topics also require selection of ‘Organizing and managing information using RefWorks’