Search and Write (‘Søk & Skriv’): Helping postgraduate students with their academic work Maria-Carme Torras, Senior academic librarian Therese Skagen, Academic librarian University of Bergen Library, Norway LILAC 2007

Group task: Meet Matilda, the librarian, and Sarah, the student. Helping postgraduate students: ”Search and Write” Discussion

Case: Meet Matilda, the librarian, and Sarah, the student  Task 1. Discuss the attitudes, assumptions and expectations the case portrays.  Task 2 How do your user education and teaching materials assist your students in their research process? Have you met any students like Sarah before? Compare her needs to the needs of your students.

Students’ challenges:  Narrowing down a research question  Dealing with large amounts of available sources  Evaluate information critically  Using information creatively and ethically  Referencing Psychological dimension:  Uncertainty, anxiety Hinder academic progress  Students away from campus  Strategies and metacognition

Search and Write (”Søk & Skriv”) Online tutorial aiming at promoting students’ information and digital literacy as they work on a research paper or thesis. Designed for postgraduate students taking distance or blended education. SOS builds upon a situated learning model:  Focus on the student’s needs  The learning process is contextualised Students are guided through the information searching and writing processes. They are encouraged to reflect on the ethical, critical and creative use of information.

Search and WriteSearch and Write: Module content ModuleInformation search process (Kuhlthau 2004) Writing actionsOther actions or strategies 1. Task initiationTask initiation (Stage 1) Topic selection (Stage 2) Brainstorming Mind mapping Think texts Writing for oneself Reflecting on research ethics 2. Get an overviewPrefocus exploration (Stage 3) Annotated bibliography First outlines Project statement 3. Find and combine keywords Focus formulation (Stage 4) Listing and structuring keywords 4. Search, evaluate, collect and write Information collection (Stage 5) Draft writing Writing for others Critical evaluation of sources Referencing 5. ClosureSearch closure (Stage 6) Conclusion writing Final writing up Ethical use of sources Presenting one’s work