Most students
come to CSULB without a clue regarding the steps of the research process
or the sophisticated discipline related materials available in Black Studies
and/or related interdisciplinary areas that can assist them with their
academic assignments.
Consequently,
the first step in training African American student scholars is to teach
the need to define and articulate a thesis, break a topic down by concept,
construct Boolean searches, and use general sources to refine the thesis.
Once mastered
these skills will greatly increase the success of students as they move
through the more advanced research steps which include clarifying or enhancing
of the thesis and search strategies, using various research databases,
physically locating materials in the library and online, and requesting
needed material from other libraries.
These active
learning information gathering and evaluation skills should be mastered
in the freshman and sophomore years of college. Without these skills students
will falter when faced with upper division Black Studies research assignments.
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