IC @ GCC

To access individual modules, use the tabs on the left side of this guide

Overview

These videos from ProQuest Research Companion (PQRC) provide strategies and examples on how to find, evaluate, and use information. tools and checklists for each module to help with the research and writing process. All videos are less than 5 minutes long and are followed by tools and checklists to help with the research and writing process.

How can PQRC enhance instruction in your classes?

Created by writing instructors and librarians, with input from students, PQRC supports information literacy instruction and practical application through tools and learning videos. The video scripts are written in a concise, conversational style that appeals to students, leading to better retention and learning outcomes.

Embed a PQRC Video Using HTML/Embed Code

All videos in ProQuest Research Companion can be embedded on your own site. Each video has an "Embed this Video" link to the lower left of the video interface as seen below.

Simply click on the link and copy the code.

Creating an embedded playlist:

To create an embedded playlist to be used on your own site, the following steps are required:

Each video has an "Embed custom playlist" link to the lower left of the video interface as seen here.

When this link is used, the interface to add more videos will appear as shown here:

The videos are separated by topic and a playlist can be created using videos from different topics. For example, see the following screenshot showing two videos being selected:

To get the code required to embed a playlist, click on the Embed Playlist box. If you select the Auto-Play feature (included in the code) it will cause the videos chosen to play consecutively.

Embed A PQRC Video in Canvas

Upload A PQRC Video in Canvas

Find Information

Where Do I Start?

• Feeling overwhelmed? (1m 21s)
• Ten basic terms (1m 31s)
• Scholarly arguments (1m 39s)
• Pep talk (0m 32s)

How Do I Choose A Topic?

• Finding a topic you're curious about (2m 38s)
• The trouble with strong opinions (1m 31s)
• Asking questions (2m 42s)
• Finding a gap in the research (1m 48s)
• Narrowing your topic (2m 47s)
• Marijuana legalization example (2m 21s)
• No easy topics (0m 58s)

Where do I Find Information?

• Finding information (0m 35s)
• Places you can go (1m 41s)
• The open web (3m 11s)
• The physical library (2m 23s)
• The digital library (2m 50s)
• Beyond the internet and library (2m 01s)
• Searching the open web (2m 02s)
• Searching your library resources (2m 28s)

Evaluate Information

How do I evaluate sources? (22m 09s)

• Evaluation (0m 45s)
• Identifying source types (2m 12s)
• Primary and secondary sources (2m 20s)
• Peer review (1m 59s)
• Scholarly journals (2m 38s)
• Scholarly books (1m 45s)
• Non-scholarly periodicals (2m 30s)
• Non-scholarly books (1m 16s)
• Websites (2m 46s)
• Publications from governments, international organizations, and NGOs (2m 48s)
• Social media (1m 10s)

What counts as evidence? 

• What information will prove your claim? (1m 09s)
• Confusing "evidence of" with "consistent with" (1m 49s)
• Confusing feelings of certainty with evidence (2m 35s)
• Confusing anecdotes with evidence (2m 07s)
• Finding evidence (0m 37s)
• Expert testimony as evidence (1m 57s)
• Statistics as evidence (2m 26s)
• Scientific studies as evidence (2m 43s)
• Matching data to claims (0m 47s)

Use Information

How do I write a thesis statement? (11m 18s)

• Thesis statements as debatable claims (2m 01s)
• Provable (1m 51s)
• Difficult to refute (2m 00s)
• Addresses competing claims (1m 50s)
• Educates readers (0m 52s)
• The mechanics of writing a good thesis statement (1m 44s)
• Relevance test (1m 00s)

How do I organize my argument? (14m 05s)

• Beyond the five-paragraph essay (1m 22s)
• Two audiences (2m 06s)
• Introduction (2m 06s)
• Context (1m 18s)
• Definitions (1m 02s)
• Subclaims and evidence (1m 36s)
• Refutation of counterarguments (2m 46s)
• Conclusion (1m 49s)

How do I avoid plagiarism and find my own voice? (15m 33s)

• Balancing act (1m 14s)
• Plagiarism (2m 03s)
• Two kinds of citations (1m 18s)
• Things to cite (2m 03s)
• Finding your voice (0m 44s)
• Introducing sources (2m 30s)
• Summarizing (1m 06s)
• Paraphrasing (1m 24s)
• Quoting (2m 33s)
• Rules for citing (0m 38s)

What do I look for when I revise? (11m 59s)

• Why revise? (0m 48s)
• The hard work of global revision (0m 57s)
• Basic ideas (1m 38s)
• Organization (0m 59s)
• Cutting (0m 52s)
• The benefits of local revision (1m 03s)
• Paragraphs (1m 00s)
• Sentences (1m 59s)
• Words and phrases (1m 16s)
• Formatting (0m 49s)
• When are you done? (0m 38s)

How can I do better next time? (16m 06s)

• A time for reflection (2m 28s)
• Reflecting on your end product (3m 30s)
• Reflecting on your end product (cont.) (3m 00s)
• Reflecting on your process (2m 45s)
• Reflecting on your process (cont.) (2m 59s)
• Making your argument your own (1m 24s)