Research Skills

10 Ways to Improve Student Research Skills

These tips to help students successfully complete research assignments are based on results of studies conducted by Project Information Literacy (PIL), an ongoing national study of college students' research practices.

Using focus groups, surveys, interviews, and content analysis, PIL's studies have involved over 11,000 students, 57 U.S. colleges and universities, and 191 course-related research assignment handouts. Links in the tips lead to research findings supporting the recommendation and related resources.

1. Define research as it applies to the assignment or discipline.

2. Break the research assignment into manageable parts.

3. Review criteria for evaluating sources.

4. Discuss plagiarism, its consequences, and how to avoid it. 

5. Explain how research will be evaluated. 

6. Encourage students to consult a librarian. 

7. Embed a library research guide in Blackboard, or request one from your librarian. 

8. Suggest specific library databases or resources by name.

9. If appropriate, direct students to a variety of library resources.

10. Collaborate with a librarian on a research assignment.

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