UMass Amherst

Research Literacy Tools

The Research Literacy Tools are intended to prepare students for the demands they will face in more advanced academic work, including Capstone Courses and Independent Projects as well as future graduate study, and in the professional workplace. Specifically Research Tools provide instruction in these areas:

  • The conventions of effective and ethical research: source evaluation, accurate and honest documentation, and accepted methods of research presentation such as literature reviews and research logs.
  • The development of interdisciplinary thinking: learning how to effectively locate, assess, and synthesize different types of research from various information communities.

In order to help students further their research and understanding of current research methods, the Research Literacy offers an extensive set of research tools, developed in collaboration with the Dean's Book Course.The library database research guide and resources for researchers provided here are a user-friendly way to participate in intellectual community at Commonwealth College.Knowledge of research methods and conventions is essential not just for those intending to go to graduate school. Today's informed citizens and professionals are required to move between multiple interdisciplinary research perspectives using a range of technological research tools. These real life problem-solving skills extend into all personal, workplace, and community contexts.

 integrated brain

Research -
The Fourth "R"

Hot Tip for Researchers

"How can I search the Internet more ethically?"

Explains standard criteria for evaluating Web sites

Click Here!