What is a Research Clinic? A Research Clinic is an opportunity for students to set aside dedicated work time for a specific research assignment and get one on one assistance from a librarian on their specific questions. They take place outside of class time; students will sign up for a Research Clinic based on their own schedules, meaning that each clinic has a mix of students from different classes working on different projects.
What happens in a Research Clinic? The librarian will introduce a brief ice breaker question regarding some aspect of attendees’ research experiences. Then the majority of the 70-minute session will be individual work time for students to do the research assignment indicated by their instructor. During this time the librarian will check in with each student for a 5-10 minute individual consultation, (high enrolled clinics will be attended by two librarians to ensure adequate one on one time.) To wrap up, students will complete an exit ticket that invites them to reflect on their experience of the session.
What are the benefits to students? There are as many research challenges as there are researchers. This format allows librarians to support students’ individual needs at the moment that they are doing their work. In seeking to create a low-stress, playful environment, we hope that students will have a productive and positive library experience and gain a better understanding of the sort of support librarians can provide.
When will the clinics be offered? From week 4 to week 10 of the semester. The total number of clinics offered will be based on the number of course sections participating. A minimum of three time slots will be available each of the weeks listed above, but possibly more depending on demand. We will endeavor to offer clinics during regular class blocks and at a wide variety of times. A schedule of clinic times will be published the first week of classes.
Where will the clinics be located? Research Clinics will be held in Lamson 102, on the main level of the library.
What do students need to do before the Research Clinic? Student will need to register for a Research Clinic outside of their regular class time and they will need to be aware of what assignment their instructor intends them to work on. Students may come to a Research Clinic still needing help refining their topic, but they must arrive knowing what assignment they should be working towards completing. Some instructors may assign Research Modules ahead of time, but this is not mandatory.
Who can attend research clinics? Anyone! If you know a student who wants to attend outside the requirements of a course, tell them they are welcome to do so! However, we expect that very few students would take the initiative to attend a Research Clinic on their own, so we rely on faculty who are teaching courses that have an individual research component to make the clinics a requirement or worth some credit for your course. Please note that we are NOT recommending Research Clinics for TWP. This is based both on our experience of the types of projects TWP students engage with and the prevalence of group work in TWP.
How will I know that students have attended a research clinic? The librarian(s) leading the clinic will collect exit tickets from each at the end of each session and contact the faculty member with attendance information.
What if a student is unable to make any of the Research Clinic times? In this scenario, we suggest that you allow students to substitute a scheduled one on one meeting with a librarian. While this won’t be exactly the same experience as a Research Clinic, students do report that their one on one meetings are very helpful. Appointments can be scheduled with the librarian of the student’s choosing.
OK, I’m in. What do I have to do? 1. Please make it clear in your course that attending a Research Clinic is required – we do not expect students will attend without this requirement – and provide students with the registration link. 2. Please contact Christin Wixson before the first day of class (date) if you will be requiring a clinic for one or more of your course sections. This will ensure that we offer enough Research Clinic times for the expected number of students. 3. Then talk with your students about what research project you expect them to work on while in the clinic.