Imagining the Research Process

Reflection

This activity helps direct attention to the research process and can help introduce or reinforce the idea that an iterative process is normal, even desirable.

Steps

  1. Assign students to create a representation (e.g., picture, outline, flow chart, or diagram) that expresses what their library research process will be for an upcoming project.
  2. Encourage them to think back to their past experience with library research as a guide, and think about what they generally do, and/or what they hope they will do.
  3. Remind them that their representation might include steps forward and/or backward, key moments of discovery or understanding, the way they feel at key points, etc.
  4. Optionally, have students write a reflection or lead a discussion on their processes for creating their diagram.  Possible discussion questions:
    • As you made your representation, what did you notice or think about?
    • Do you notice any patterns in your representation?
    • Did you include any moments where you circled back or changed course?
    • Did you include any problem spots in your representation?
    • Did you include any emotions or feelings in your representation?

Considerations

  • This activity could work well as a gallery walk.
  • Consider participating yourself and sharing your representation with the class.  Our own processes might seem obvious to us but they are often surprising for students.

Resources