Many of the LRC faculty also teach as adjuncts, so we are very sympathetic to your needs and problems. Here are some sites on our Web page which might help:

About Research Assignments

The DISADVANTAGE OF A LARGE TOPIC is that the student reads only a few sources--usually too few because there is no indication of how much is enough. They end up with a skewed, or even incorrect, idea of the topic. They don't know the key authors and publications in the field. They don't know the different issues and interpretations of the facts in the field. They don't know the shape and size and nature of the literature on the field. They have not even learned the extent of their own ignorance in the field.

Even worse, the student usually has a very bad experience. The literature available on a large topic is overwhelming. The impression given the student is that they will NEVER learn how to do research.

The ADVANTAGE OF A NARROW TOPIC is that the student can read everything available. They can become an authority, an expert in the field. They will have the experience of reading and analyzing the entire literature on a field. This can be quite enlightening. They can be asked to address the key issues in the field, who are the best authors in the field, and their opinion (after all, they are an expert) on the interpretation of the facts.

IN THE REAL WORLD, their boss will ask them to find out about something or some company. He won't mean to just read a LITTLE bit. He won't say,"Come back before you know everything." He will expect them to know EVERYTHING of importance. That requires reading EVERYTHING.

About LRC Instruction

Better yet, give them extra credit for taking the Information Research Certificate classes. They are free and do not take up your class time (Click for information on the IRC classes).

When students come to us individually for research help, we cannot give any of them enough time. When they come as a group we can cover much more ground.