Student Learning Outcomes

01-19-2012
Modified and used with permission College of DuPage Library
http://www.cod.edu/library/services/faculty/infolit/learningoutcomes.htm
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  1. Develop a Research Plan
    Determine a focused, clear, and manageable topic.
    Develop a realistic overall plan and timeline to complete the research project.
    Identify key concepts and terms that describe the topic.
    Explore general information resources to become familiar with the topic.
    Narrow or broaden the scope of the topic based on preliminary research.


  1. Find Resources
    Determine available resources and services at the E. Perrin Edmunds Library
    Understand the characteristics and value of different types of resources (books, periodicals, Web sites) and their different formats (print, electronic).
    Understand the characteristics and value of primary and secondary sources.
    Select information resources (catalog, databases, search engines) appropriate for the research topic.
    Use various search techniques such as keywords, controlled vocabulary, limiters, Boolean operators, and truncation to find relevant items.


  1. Analyze the Search Results

    Understand that search results may be presented according to various ordering principles (e.g. relevance ranking, author, title, or date).
    Identify the components of a citation and differentiate between types of sources, such as book or periodical.


  1. Retrieve Sources

    Determine whether sources are in the Library, online, or available by alternate means.
    Understand the different ways that resources are organized.
    Retrieve locally owned resources in a variety of formats such as books, articles, and full-text.
    Understand the various methods for locating and obtaining resources not held locally such as Interlibrary Loan.


  1. Evaluate Sources

    Use the components of a citation to choose those sources most suitable for the research project.
    Evaluate among various information sources using established evaluation criteria to determine reliability, validity, authority, currency, and accuracy).
    Evaluate information sources with an understanding of context, intention, and audience (bias, opinion, satire, inflammatory, balanced).


  1. Organize and Use the Retrieved Sources
    Extract the details and concepts from the retrieved sources.
    Organize the gathered information in a logical and useful manner.
    Synthesize the ideas and concepts from the information sources collected.
    Integrate the new information with previous information or knowledge.
    Communicate the new knowledge to others by using various formats such as writing, speaking, or multimedia presentations.


  1. Understand the Ethics of Information Use

    Understand what constitutes plagiarism and does not represent work attributable to others as his or her own.
    Understand the concepts of intellectual property and fair use of copyrighted material.
    Select a documentation style such as MLA or APA format and use it correctly to cite sources





Gail Roy
Northern Maine Community College