Top 10 Tips for Doing E-Research at College

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In my opinion its always good to start with Google if you are looking for right topic or if you already have right topic and trying to source the relevant literature. But being librarian I some how have some sort of reservation of using Wikipedia, which I recommend as last resource for research.

Appasaheb Naikal of DC 3:45AM January 25, 2013

Starting with Google is the wrong thing to do! That is why so many students use Wikipedia. It is always at the top of the list. Rather student should start with number 10 or with a a good encyclopedia, found today in the Online Databases (No. 3). These two steps will make using the Internet much easier because student will know have a good scholarly overview and the librarian can help direct their website to reputable sources.

David Burt of CA 1:25AM August 08, 2010

This a well-written and realistic procedure. I take Ms. Lietzau's point about the dangers of starting and finishing with Wikipedia and Google, but think that in practice we have to accept that this is what most college students (and others) will do anyway and our job as librarians is to encourage them to do more. Checking Wikipedia will give students some buzz words that will help us discuss what they need; otherwise they may be able to articulate nothing at all about their projects. This is true of Harvard and any given community college.
Ms. LaGuardia's suggestion that students avail themselves of ILL is very well taken, as students need to realize that even in a digital world not everything is immediately available everywhere. If instructors point this out to their students as well, then perhaps some of the last-minute shenanigans can be avoided.
And I hope that Ms. LaGuardia is right that students who probe into books might get a better grade.

Lawrence Clayton of IL 2:52PM August 07, 2010

As a librarian at a largely distance education university I think students should start with a librarian, or at the very least with a subject encyclopedia. Starting with Google or Wikipedia is dangerous because that is as far as most students with go. Also, students reading your tips will most likely skim the list and not see that you are simply telling them to gather descriptors. Perhaps you have a lot more faith in your students' judgment, being at Harvard.

Julie Lietzau of MD 2:23PM August 05, 2010

Good list but I too would ask students to start with #10. Librarians can help students to sort out their topics. Librarians have the mojo!!

Joe Fernandez of ME 12:20PM August 05, 2010

Maybe it's because she's at Harvard, but the students I work with at Not-so-bad Public University really really need to start with their librarian. Otherwise, they will be contacting their librarian the day before their paper is due after getting frustrated trying to do any of the other 9 suggestion. Not only is it too late, but at that point they've convinced themselves that there is something wrong with them and that doing research is horrible.

Librarian M of OR 11:51AM August 05, 2010

As a non-librarian who teaches first-year students, I say there's no reason for them to suffer through items 1-9 without librarian support. Or worse, to start unguided in Google & Wikipedia (as advised in the current item 1 on your list) and possibly feel they are "done" without ever reading as far as item 10. Our Cal State librarians take text messages, IM via AIM, GoogleTalk & Yahoo!, as well as good old-fashioned phone, e-mail and walk-ins. The catalog, course reserve, study room reservations, and some databases have a mobile presence, making contact even easier.
So yes, a great summary I will share, with the recommendation that students start with item 10, "Ask a librarian."

George Station of CA 9:00PM August 04, 2010