Learning Online: Researching Your Project
Improve your online research skills and your ability to critically analyse sources of information.
- Duration2 weeks
- Weekly study2 hours
- LearnFree
Learning Online: Researching Your Project
In this course, you’ll explore the rich and diverse range of information available to you online, how to use search tools effectively, and the ways in which you can begin to assess information that you might want to use in your studies. Using a wide range of learning activities, you will be challenged to dig deeper and think critically about the information that you find online.
This course is just one of a series about ‘learning online’, which introduces you to the essential skills and tools you need to study online.
Syllabus
Week 1
Finding information online
Welcome
Before you get started, take some time to think about what you’d like to gain from your online research.
What are you searching for?
In this activity, reflect on why research skills are important, and consider how to approach your own searches.
Searching the internet
In this activity, you’ll learn more about conducting an online search effectively.
Conducting your research
In this activity, you will explore how to conduct your research and make the most of your online research.
Summary
To close this week, you will be introduced to some of the options for studying at the University of Leeds. You also look forward to next week.
Week 2
Finding and using sources
Finding and using sources
In Week 2, you will look in more detail at how to use and critique the information you find in your searches.
Where to find sources
In this activity, you will explore the types of source you can use and what types may be appropriate for different uses.
Critically evaluating your sources
In this activity, you will develop your critical thinking skills and explore an approach to evaluating sources.
Constructing your own opinion from your sources
In this activity, you will explore how to use other people’s ideas in you work correctly, from avoiding plagiarism to building your own opinions.
End of course summary
You’ve reached the end of this course, you can test your understanding and then look forward to the next course in the Learning Online series, or further courses from the University of Leeds.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and learn at your own pace. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Assess and record your current level of knowledge regarding searching and researching online.
- Identify and discuss your search engine of choice.
- Explore methods of using search tools more effectively to locate appropriate sources.
- Perform web searches using different ‘operators’ and advanced search options.
- Discuss the benefits of using a wide range of online sources for researching subjects.
- Demonstrate effective use of multiple sources to contribute information in a collaborative environment.
- Assess the quality and appropriateness of information found online to help determine its validity and contribute an example to the discussion.
- Identify sources which need to be up-to-date and relevant in order to be of use when researching. Demonstrate an understanding of some of the core principles of how to critically assess a source.
- Explore an information journey and produce a timeline relating to a topic of your choice.
- Assess your post-course knowledge of researching by participating in the test which concludes the course.
Who is the course for?
This course is part of the Going to University collection which has been specifically designed for students at schools and colleges. They provide a taster of undergraduate study at the University of Leeds and help students to decide which subject to study at university.
Completion of the courses will also enhance students’ university applications.
The courses can also be used as a teachers’ classroom enrichment resource.
Courses in this collection are also great for people that want an introduction in the specific subjects discussed in each course.
Who will you learn with?
Educator, University of Leeds.
I lecture in History, specialise in Curriculum Design and build Digital Literacy and Digital Scholarship modules. I also lead the University's Liberal Arts programme.
Learning Advisor at Skills@Library, University of Leeds.
Who developed the course?
University of Leeds
As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.
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