University of Southern Mississippi Libraries

Some Research Basics: Descriptions and Objectives

Library of Congress (LC) Classification (10 min)

Description: A quick introduction to the main classification system used to organize materials in USM Libraries and information on how to use the system to locate materials in the USM libraries.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should know:

That the LC Classification System is used to organize materials by subject in USM Libraries
How to find materials in USM Libraries using assigned call numbers

Primary vs Secondary Sources (10 min)

Description: A quick overview of the differences between primary and secondary sources (handout included).

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should be able to:

List 2-3 types of primary and secondary sources
Articulate the value of a primary source

Scholarly vs Popular (10 min)

Description: A quick overview of the difference between scholarly and popular sources (handout included).

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should be able to:

List 2-3 scholarly and popular sources
List 3 differences between scholary and popular sources
Articulate the value of a scholarly source

Evaluating Sources (10 min)

Description: A quick overview of items to consider when selecting and using an information source.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should be able to:

List at least 3 items used to determine the suitability of a source
Articulate the value of evaluating a resource before choosing to use it

Citing Sources (varies - consult with librarian)

Description: This session is a quick introduction to one of the major styles (mla, apa or turabian) of in-text and reference citations and showing students how to access the library's online resources for more info and practice.

Some possible objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should know:

What an in-text citation is and 1-2 ways to cite in-text
What constitutes plagiarism
The possible consequences of plagarizing
What a 'reference list' or 'works cited' page is and its relationship to reference or works cited list
Where to obtain on the library web page information for formatting a paper in a APA or MLA style

Avoiding Plagiarism (varies - consult with librarian)

Description: An overview of what constitutes plagiarism and the possible consequences of plagiarizing.

Objectives:
Upon completion of this session, students should be able to:

Define plagiarism
Define what an in-text citation is
Define what a 'reference list' or 'works cited' page is
Identify instances of plagiarized material
Articulate the consequences of plagiarizing
How to access on the library web page further citation/plagiarism information

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