- Construct assignments that move beyond finding facts or collecting
other people’s ideas. It is important to develop assignments that
encourage students to generate their own ideas and conclusions. See creative suggestions about research papers from the University of Connecticut Library.
- Require students to locate information about specific course
concepts or readings rather than just collect and organize resources.
This will ask students to engage more fully with course materials as
well as teach the critical thinking skill of synthesis.
- Ask for an application of research to another component such
as current events or socio-political issues. Show a DVD on a relevant
topic and ask students to apply research to specific examples from the
film. A by-product of requiring components to be used in application is
that you do not need to change the assignments each semester, thus
preventing students from reworking a paper from former students. This
is especially pertinent to large lectures where the faculty member may
be relying on an evolving pool of teaching assistants. Consider putting
theory into practice through encouraging research into community-based
issues and perhaps including a Community Service Learning component in your course.