Advanced Library Research Methods Independent Study

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Instructors: Erin Shafer & Michael Hemenway

Office Hours:

Erin will be offering four appointment slots on Tuesdays from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.  To schedule an appointment, please go here. If these times don't work for you, please email Erin to request a different time at erin.shafer@iliff.edu .

Course Description:

This course is designed to prepare DMin students for research processes appropriate for doctoral-level research projects.  It will introduce DMin students to the information resources available to them through Iliff’s Taylor Library and the University of Denver’s Anderson Academic Commons, as well as various tools to assist in their research. It will also provide a space for DMin students to work on the required literature review for the program.

Course Design (Use Modules ):

Once the course is fully built, please use the modules page as your guide through the coursework and lecture content. The course schedule below is set up to show just your main tasks throughout the course.

  1. Formulate a manageable research question;
  2. Use the library catalog and other databases to find information resources;
  3. Identify and evaluate information resources in terms of reliability and relevance;
  4. Use bibliographic software to organize information resources;
  5. Take useful research notes;
  6. Use note-taking software to organize research notes
  7. Complete a literature review

Required Texts:

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., Williams, J. M., Bizup, J., & Fitzgerald, W. T. (2016). The Craft of Research . (Fourth Edition.). University of Chicago Press. ( Available electronically via the library catalog.) ISBN: 9780226239569.

Vyhmeister, N. J., & Robertson, T. D. (2014). Your guide to writing quality research papers: For students of religion and theology. (Third edition.). Zondervan. ISBN: 9780310514022.
NOTE: It has been brought to my attention that the third edition is difficult to find. You may use the fourth edition instead. The chapter numbers are different in this edition so please be aware of what chapter you should be reading for the week.
DateDayDetails
Jan 12, 2023ThuResearch Question Case Studiesdue by 06:50AM
Jan 12, 2023ThuResearch Question Activity due by 06:59AM
Jan 19, 2023ThuSearch Habit Reflectiondue by 06:59AM
Jan 21, 2023SatChallenging Bias in Searchdue by 06:59AM
Jan 23, 2023MonOfficial Research Question due by 06:59AM
Jan 26, 2023ThuSubject Headings vs. Keywords Search Activity due by 06:59AM
Jan 30, 2023MonDatabase as Source due by 06:59AM
Feb 02, 2023ThuZotero Install and Configurationdue by 06:59AM
Feb 06, 2023MonBibliographic Software Activity due by 06:59AM
Feb 09, 2023ThuEvaluating Resources Discussion due by 06:59AM
Feb 18, 2023SatMeet with Project Directordue by 06:59AM
Feb 20, 2023MonAnnotated Bibliography due by 06:59AM
Feb 23, 2023ThuResearch Notes Sampledue by 06:59AM
Mar 02, 2023ThuDigital Methodologies Discussiondue by 06:59AM
Mar 09, 2023ThuCultivating Diverse Voices in Your Researchdue by 06:59AM
Mar 11, 2023SatAdding Perspectives to Your Literature Reviewdue by 06:59AM
Mar 16, 2023ThuLiterature Review Lightning Talkdue by 05:59AM
Mar 18, 2023SatLiterature Reviewdue by 05:59AM