- Schedule an AppointmentReuse this link in D2L or your syllabus to encourage students to book appointments
Student Research Consultations
Why should I encourage student research consultations with a librarian?
What happens in a student research consultation?
How do I know my student attended a session?
What should I put in my syllabus?
Why should I encourage student research consultations with a librarian?
Students are often intimidated by the research process and enter your course with unique experiences in conducting research that are difficult to address at the whole-class level. Librarians are able to work through the research process individually with students, meeting them where they are. We might help them:
- Narrow down their research question
- Encourage them to pursue their research interests
- Navigate a new database
- Understand what is meant by "scholarly article," "qualitative research," "peer-reviewed" or other research vocabulary
- Locate a copyright free image
- Locate an article
- Request materials through interlibrary loan
- Check their citations
Please, LET US KNOW you are encouraging your students to make appointments whether it's just a suggestion, for extra credit or a requirement. You can do that by requesting an instruction session, but just selecting "research consultations" on field #11. Please provide us a copy of your assignment via this form as well.
What happens in a student research consultation?
The student and the librarian talk through the students' research concerns and often start with something like "tell me about your research project!" We allow the student to share their interests and concerns to help assess where they need the most help. We encourage students to be the primary person navigating the computer rather than demonstrating how databases work. We look over their assignment with them to address the requirements and expectations. Finally, we work to increase their research skills and confidence.
Research consultations take place
- On either campus during open library hours
- Via Zoom or Google Meet
- Over the phone
- Via online chat
The student can schedule an appointment by going to https://oakton.libcal.com/appointments.
How do I know my student attended a session?
The student will receive an online certificate after answering a few questions about the appointment. The certificate will include their name and the date of the appointment. If students don't have this information or anything didn't work as it should, they can email the librarian they worked with to provide alternative documentation.
What should I put in my syllabus?
I encourage (require/offer extra credit for) students to work with an Oakton Librarian as part of the research process. Oakton Librarians meet with students one on one to talk through your research, help you find articles, and cite sources. A good time to make the appointment is when you're beginning the research project if you feel overwhelmed, or when you get to a point in your research and you feel stuck. Simply visit https://oakton.libcal.com/appointments and choose "no preference" (or choose our class librarian [insert name]) to make an appointment.