Module Content
|
Time for Completion
|
Outcomes
|
Suggested Use
|
| *Information Privilege & Accessing Information |
(~12 minutes, without VPN download) |
- recognize your information privilege as a UC Merced student.
- understand why the VPN is needed for access to library resources from off-campus locations.
- connect to the VPN in order to locate library resources.
- know where to locate help for VPN set-up.
- become familiar with the purpose and value of the Get it at UC button.
- use the Get it at UC button to locate information.
|
suitable before or after Finding & Selecting Databases |
| *Understanding the Information Cycle |
(~10 minutes) |
- recognize the speed and oversight with which source types are created.
- recognize the benefits and limitations of source types in the information cycle.
- identify the impact of information production on source-type reliability and availability.
|
suitable after Information Privilege & Accessing Information or after Developing a Research Question; suitable when students are just starting their research as this may influence where they search and what they may expect to find |
| *Identify Scholarly & Popular Sources |
(~10 minutes) |
- recognize scholarly, trade, and popular articles.
- understand the basics of peer review.
|
suitable after Information Privilege & Accessing Information and after Understanding the Information Cycle; could also be placed after Developing a Research Question and Finding & Selecting Databases. |
| *Developing a Research Question |
(~15 minutes) |
- identify key research question criteria.
- identify strengths and weaknesses of research questions using research question criteria.
- recognize the value of 4Ws and pre-searching for research question development.
|
suitable after Information Privilege & Accessing Information or after Understanding the Information Cycle; suitable when students are identifying a topic of interest with the goal of eventually crafting a research question |
| *Finding & Selecting Databases |
(~12 minutes) |
- recognize how the library provides access to academic content for your research.
- find databases available from the library.
- select subject-specific databases to search based on a topic.
|
suitable before or after Information Privilege & Accessing Information |
| Evaluating Information |
(~15 minutes) |
- identify important questions to ask when evaluating sources.
- understand that source evaluation includes considering one’s information need.
- evaluate sources and determine if a source is suitable for a specific information need.
|
suitable prior to Searching for Information |
| Searching for Information - Searching in Google |
(8-10 minutes) |
- recognize the pros and cons of using Google for specific information needs.
- be able to use specific search strategies to improve Google results.
|
suitable after Evaluating Information; useful if students will be using freely available web sources |
|
*Using Keywords & Search Strategies
|
(~12 minutes) |
- generate keywords from your research question.
- combine keywords and search strategies to locate resources.
|
suitable after Finding & Selecting Databases |
| *Searching in Databases |
(8-10 minutes) |
- identify what a database is and how it is structured
- use database functionality to locate information
|
suitable before or after Finding & Selecting Databases |
| *Citing & Managing Your Research |
(~12 minutes) |
- Locate a citation in the library catalog or in a database.
- Assemble a citation from information found in a book, article, video, or other resource.
- Determine which citation style is best for your writing.
|
suitable before or after Finding & Selecting Databases, and after Searching for Information or Searching in Databases. |
|
Finding Statistics & Data
|
(~5 minutes) |
- distinguish between the need for statistics or data.
- identify strategies for locating statistics or data.
|
suitable after Evaluating Information and Searching for Information - Searching in Google; useful if students will be using freely available web sources with a focus on finding stats |
|
Working with Information - Reading Scholarly Articles
|
(~12 minutes) |
- understand the common characteristics of scholarly articles.
- know strategies for effectively reading scholarly articles.
|
suitable prior to any requirements that students read scholarly articles; could use after Finding & Selecting Databases, Searching for Information-Searching in Google, or Searching in Databases.
|
| Bobcats Live with Academic Integrity (2024) |
(~20 minutes) |
- Discuss the meaning of the scholarly conversation and academic discourse.
- Explore how academic honesty is a form of social justice.
- Explain how academic integrity allows for personal growth.
- Interpret the appropriate use of Generative AI from a scenario.
- Practice attribution and citation using real-world examples.
- Recognize where to go for help with copyright and fair use.
- Write a personal Academic Integrity Pledge.
|
Spark courses and other First-Year Experiences |
