LIB 5600x: Advanced Research Skills for Graduate Students

Course Description

Taught by a team of university librarians, this course is designed to support graduate students’ research needs by providing structured guidance to conduct high quality academic research. Students will develop advanced research and information literacy skills, build a holistic understanding of the research process and how to participate in it.

The course will cover a wide range of topics from:

• developing a research question to ethical considerations of using and creating new information,
• gaining hands-on experience using variety of research tools, and library resources,
• using citation management tools,
• learning about data management practices,
• publication cycle, where to publish, etc. 

Course Overview

Lib 5600x course is a two-credit, semester long course for graduate students, open to all majors. There is no prerequisites for this course, however it is recommended for students who are at the beginning stage of their dissertation research or theses.

The course will meet in-person weekly for 2 hours in classroom 192 Parks Library. The learning process is facilitated through a combination of recommended readings, in-class discussions, student presentations, practical exercises, and instructor and guest lectures. Given the emphasis on developing research skills, active and experiential learning techniques are used, thus regular attendance is required.

Upon course completion, students will submit a final project. As the final course project, students will develop a research portfolio that demonstrates their growing expertise, disciplinary engagement, and strategic approach to academic publishing.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon successfully completing the course, students will be able to:

• Cultivate an adaptive and resilient research mindset.
• Build a holistic understanding of the scholarly landscape and how to participate in it.
• Identify databases, tools, and platforms that support your specific research needs.
• Recognize key partners and collaborators to build a network that supports scholarly growth.
• Develop effective and ethical research skills.

As an outcome of the course, students will create a research portfolio showcasing their proficiency in information literacy and research skills, their ability to engage with a diverse range of research tools, and their understanding of scholarly communication within their specific discipline.

Students will be graded on a Satisfactory/Fail (S/F) basis. The final grade will be based on weekly assignments, participation in the class discussions, and research portfolio. Detailed instructions and assessment rubric for each assignment will be provided during the class. Grading will be based on attention to the instructions, clarity of expression and presentation, and evidence of substantial analysis and reflection.

There is no official textbook for this course. Weekly readings and learning materials are listed in Canvas.