reference work n. a source of factual information (originally a printed work, but now also an electronic resource) intended for research or consultation
on individual matters rather than continuous reading. Oxford English Dictionary
Lesson Title: Learning about Reference sources and how to access Reference
databases via Marshall University Libraries.
Learning Objectives: This activity has multiple purposes. Students will learn about
Reference sources as a category of information sources, and that in many cases, they
are just as easy to use but more credible than Wikipedia. By participating in this
activity, students will be introduced to a variety of Reference sources available to them
via Marshall University Libraries. This activity also is designed to promote group work
and informal presentational skills/public speaking as groups demonstrate how to access
and search a specific Reference database. Specific information literacy learning
objectives targeted in this activity include 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e.
*from Criteria for CT Courses
4. Information Literacy: Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of and a
proficiency in information literacy. Students will meet this objective by strategizing
about, accessing, evaluating and using information ethically.
4.a Determine and articulate the extent of information needed.

Communicate what kind of information is needed to complete an
assignment and explain reasons for these choices.

Articulate not only what kind of information is needed, but also the
depth and variety of information desired.
4.b Access relevant sources in an efficient manner.
4.c Evaluate information retrieved as well as the sources from which it came.
4.d Synthesize/use the information (research paper, speech, video, etc.).
4.e Demonstrate an understanding and application of information ethics.


Explain economic, legal, and social issues related to the access and use of
information.
Use information ethically and legally.
These learning outcomes are based on ACRL’s Information Literacy and Competency Standards for Higher Education:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/informationliteracycompetency.cfm#ildef
Jennifer Sias & Sabrina Thomas 2/2010
1
Attention Getter/Hook/Introduction: Show students an entry from a. Wikipedia
on _______ (topic) and b. an entry on this topic from a Reference source available via
Marshall University Libraries. Ask students to evaluate the two and compare and
contrast the information provided by the two sources. What are the sources of
information presented in the Wikipedia and Reference source entries? How credible are
those authors/sources/content providers? Etc.
Procedures: Demonstrate how to access the following Reference databases via
Marshall University Libraries: CQ Researcher, CQ Global Researcher, Credo Reference,
Points of View and World News Digest. Students will work together in groups to explore
an assigned database, learn how to search it efficiently and discover the type of
information provided by this source. See following Activities.
Conclusion: End with an informal, in-class writing activity asking students to reflect on
the Reference sources they now know about and will use in the future. Propose a topic
and ask students to hypothesize about and predict which of these databases might be
the most useful in providing the information they would need to complete a future
assignment.
Assessment/Evaluation:

Observation by instructor during the “working” session at the library

Document/online database guide prepared by group for classmates

Presentation by the group – grading sheet/rubric could be developed

Quiz based on group presentations

Written reflection – informal, in-class paper by each student
Jennifer Sias & Sabrina Thomas 2/2010
2
(Each group will make an informal presentation to the class on the database assigned and
provide a database information sheet either in paper or uploaded to the class MUOnline site. The
instructor could prepare a quiz based on the information provided by each group to determine if
classmates in the audience listened to and retained the information provided in the
presentations. Finally, assign students to reflect informally in writing on what they learned
during this activity. Ask them to hypothesize about/predict which Reference database would
provide the best information for an assignment on ________. *These reflections could offer a
glimpse into their development of research strategies.)
Materials needed: Ideally, an instructor’s computer with Internet access connected to
a projector and computer access for all students. However, one laptop per group would
be sufficient. In the absence of any technology, one could bring in photocopies of
pages from each source for each group to evaluate and then assign students as
homework to access these databases on their own.
Jennifer Sias & Sabrina Thomas 2/2010
3
Group Activity - Handout
Group 1 – CQ Researcher – Poverty
1. Find the issue “Domestic Poverty” by Thomas J. Billitteri
2. What is the CQ Researcher? What kind of information does it offer?
3. Show us how to find statistics related to poverty using this source. What is the
source of the statistics provided by CQ Researcher?
4. Using CQ Researcher, show us how to find a persuasive argument and more
than one point of view on a poverty-related issue.
5. Imagine that your professor has assigned you to find multiple sources for an
assignment related to poverty. In other words, you will need more than just CQ
Researcher. Show us how to use CQ Researcher to find other sources on this
topic. And show us how to find such a source using MU Libraries. (Hint – check
our Catalog or Journals List to find out if we have a book or article listed in CQ
Researcher’s bibliography.)
6. Show us how to save $ and take this information with you.
7. Finally, you know you will need to cite this source if you paraphrase or use a
direct quote. Show us how to cite this source in APA or MLA style.
Group 2 – CQ Global Researcher – Poverty as it relates to children
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Find the issue “Rescuing Children” by Robert Kiener
What is the CQ Global Researcher? What kind of information does it offer?
Show us how to discover important dates related to this topic.
What information does the section “Voice from Abroad” provide?
Using this source, show us how to find a persuasive argument and more than
one point of view on a poverty-related issue.
6. Imagine that your professor wants you to include information related to groups
devoted to combating worldwide poverty. Show us how to use this source to
discover some of these groups.
7. What sources did Kiener use to prepare this issue on “Rescuing Children”?
8. What can you find out about the author?
9. Show us how to save $ and take this information with you.
10. Finally, you know you will need to cite this source if you paraphrase or use a
direct quote. Show us how to cite this source in APA or MLA style.
Jennifer Sias & Sabrina Thomas 2/2010
4
Group 3 – Credo Reference – Poverty
1. What kind of information does the Credo Reference database offer? How does it
differ/compare with the information one could find in Wikipedia?
2. To get a basic understanding of the issue of poverty, show us what section of
Credo you would use.
3. You want to include a powerful quotation in a paper on this subject. Show us
how to find a quotation on poverty using this source.
4. Someone in your group is a visual learner who will get a better grasp of this
topic if she can see a visual representation of this topic and connections between
ideas. Show us a search in Credo using the Concept Map.
5. You plan to use a visual aid in your presentation on some aspect of poverty.
Show us how to use Credo to find a relevant image.
6. Show us how to use Credo’s Advanced Search to refine your topic.
7. Finally, you know you will need to cite this source if you paraphrase, use a direct
quote or an image. Show us how to cite this source in APA or MLA style.
Group 4 – Points of View – Poverty
What kind of information does Points of View offer?
Show us the range of topics covered by this source.
Do a search on Poverty and show us primary sources related to your search.
You plan to use a visual aid in your presentation on some aspect of poverty.
Using this source, show us how to find a relevant image.
5. You know your professor is an NPR aficionado and would be impressed by your
use of a related source. Show us how to find a Radio or TV news transcript –
possibly even an NPR transcript.
6. Show us how to email a result to save money on printing costs.
7. Finally, you know you will need to cite this source if you paraphrase, use a direct
quote or an image. Show us how to cite this source in APA or MLA style.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Group 5 – World News Digest – Poverty
1. What kind of information does this source contain?
2. Show us how to find statistics related to your topic.
3. Using the Newsmaker Profile section, find a profile of an individual who has been
involved in poverty related initiatives.
4. What information does the Almanac provide on the war on poverty?
5. You may decide to focus your research on poverty as it relates to a country other
than the United States. Show us how to find a country profile on a country of
your choice and point out information about that country that would have
connections to the topic of poverty.
6. Finally, you know you will need to cite this source if you paraphrase, use a direct
quote or an image. Show us how to cite this source in APA or MLA style.
Jennifer Sias & Sabrina Thomas 2/2010
5