Love the Questions: Reclaiming Research with Curiosity and Passion

Tired of students turning in research papers with a mish-mash of copy-pasted facts and random quotes that demonstrate a lack of analysis and independent thought? If so, join Fraser in a journey to “reclaim research.” The author, a high school librarian, recounts her experiences seeing inadequate research instruction and lack of student engagement result in lifeless research papers. But Fraser maintains that we can do better, by asking students to read about a topic in-depth and continuously reframe their questions. She points out that the critical thinking skills honed through research will serve students well as they encounter issues, fake news, and advertisements as adults. Knowing how to research and ask questions will give them the skills needed to craft any argument. Fraser stresses that teachers should collaborate with librarians, and she details what libraries and librarians offer. She says that we must teach students to read academic articles in print and develop “stamina” for doing so, which they don’t acquire by skimming short passages online. She describes teaching students to avoid plagiarism and cite sources. Fraser includes some lessons and resources, as well as examples of student work.