The reflective essay (max. 1000 words) should describe the library research performed and explain decisions regarding how and where you searched and what sources you used. The essay will evaluate critical thinking skills and evidence of understanding of the research processes.
To help get you started, here are some topics and questions that your essay can address.
Did you perform any background reading to help you select and refine your topic? If so, how did you decide what to read? How did it shape your choice of a topic?
Were there other factors that affected your topic selection?
What was your overall strategy for finding information for your project?
How did you organize your research activities and keep track of your research?
Did you find it necessary to modify your strategy? If so, what prompted the change?
Did you find any resources that significantly informed your project? If so, provide an example of how you used one of the resources to develop your project.
What did you learn about library tools for finding information in your topic area?
Which of the following did you use: databases, catalogs, bibliographies, search engines, reference books, subject experts, social media sites, online discussion lists?
How did you decide whether or not to trust the information you found in your sources?
What factors did you consider when making a decision about what sources you would take the time to read carefully?
Did your method for evaluating your sources change as you proceeded through your research? If so, how and why did it change?
Helpful definitions
Library research: Processes to find and access information to help make a decision, produce new knowledge, establish the rationale for pursuing course of action, or conduct a literature review.
Library research tool: Information, resources, or systems designed to help find resources on a topic of interest. Examples include databases, catalogs, reference books, bibliographies, resource guides produced by librarians, and descriptions or indexes of archival collections.
Research strategy: Plan of action for finding and using information to achieve a goal. Examples that can be included in a research strategy include conducting background reading or searching to gain a more sophisticated understanding of a topic. If you have further questions about researching methods, ask a librarian or your instructor.
Searching technique: Decisions about how to interact with specific library research tools, such as which search forms to use, what terms to type, which features to use, and which filters or limits to apply, etc.
Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award 1117 Mid-Campus Drive North Manhattan KS 66506 (785) 532-3014