Best Practice Example

Name: Jacqueline Rice
Title: Supervisor of Reference Services
Institution: Alverno College Library
Street Address: PO Box 343922, 3400 South 43rd Street
City/State/Zip: Milwaukee, WI 53234-3922
Phone: 414-382-6057
Email: jacqueline.rice@alverno.edu

Title of practice of implementation method: Scientific Pioneers

Primary Audience: first year undergraduates
Secondary Audience:

Describe the practice: I use this activity in a beginning science class to illustrate the use of the online catalog and biographical reference sources to find information on a particular scientist. I also discuss the basics of how scientific information is organized, e.g., current research will most likely be found in the journal literature. Using the example of Madame Curie (whose field was radioactivity), I show them how to look for recent research in a particular field using an electronic database. There is a hands on component where the student consults biographical reference sources for background information on her scientist and his/her field of endeavor. The student writes a paragraph based on her research findings and cites her source(s) using APA. Part 2 of the assignment consists of finding a current journal article relating to innovations in the scientist's field. The student summarizes the information she finds and cites her source(s) using APA format.

Competencies addressed through this practice:
4. Interpret and analyze search results and select relevant sources
9. Understand the structure of the information environment and the process by which both scholarly and popular information is produced, organized and disseminated

Supporting materials/resources used and their format:
* Citing Resources Handouts
* Library Pre Assessment

Special Requirements: No

References consulted:

Would you provide the committee with a copy of any handouts? yes
Would you allow the committee to share this information on this web site and link to any online resources? yes

[Back to Best Practice Examples]    [Info Lit Committee Home]