EOF: Academic Scholars Institute: Home

Help with Library Resources

• Ask a Librarian
• Dana Reference Desk

Call the desk at

973-353-5901. 

Rutgers RIOT, a quick video tutorial

Five fast modules on finding, evaluating, and using information.  You may look at them individually or all together.

Introduction to approaching a paper topic and using some of the basic services provided by the Rutgers University Libraries.  Includes videos and exercises to build your research awareness.  More videos at http://libguides.rutgers.edu/videos.

Course Mission Statement

In the transition from high school/general reading and writing to scholarly/academic reading and writing, undergraduate students require a basic knowledge of searching library databases and documenting their search material.  The library sessions in the Academic Scholars Institute provide students with an introduction to the resources of the Rutgers University Libraries as well as to methods of searching, evaluation of information sources, and MLA citation style. 

Outcome Goals

After this class, you will be able to:

1. Use a streamlined research process that takes advantage of the capabilities of current databases.
2. Find credible sources, including scholarly articles.
3. Prepare a quick bibliography in MLA style.

Missions and Standards Addressed

1. Support of University mission:

• providing for the instructional needs of New Jersey’s citizens through its undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs

2. Support of Campus mission:

• The academic mission of Rutgers University in Newark is to provide a first-rate education to an exceptionally diverse community of undergraduates and graduate students.

3. Association of College and Research Libraries.  ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework)

• Frame 4:  Research as Inquiry

Research is iterative and depends upon asking increasingly complex or new questions whose answers in turn develop additional questions or lines of inquiry in any field.

Novice learners acquire strategic perspectives on inquiry and a greater repertoire of investigative methods.

• Frame 6: Searching as Strategic Exploration

Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops.

4. Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Characteristics of Excellence in Higher Education: Requirements of Affiliation and Standards for Accreditation, [Online Version updated March 2009 at http://www.msche.org/publications/CHX06_Aug08REVMarch09.pdf ](p.42). 

The document states that "information literacy is an essential component of any educational program at the graduate or undergraduate levels."  Applicable skills on the Middle States list include the ability to:

• access information effectively and efficiently;
• evaluate critically the sources and content of information.

5. Information Literacy Progression Standards (VALE-NJLA) 

• Standard 2:  Accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.
• Standard 3:  Evaluates and thinks critically about information.
• Standard 4:  Uses information effectively for a specific purpose.
• Standard 5:  Uses information ethically and legally