Explain the assignment clearly, preferably in writing. BE SPECIFIC. Identify the purpose of the assignment and learning objectives for students.   Provide a grading rubric that is specific to the assignment.

If you expect students to use primary source material, be sure that students understand what you (or your discipline) mean by primary.   Be clear about differences between popular and scholarly resources, state differences between types of sources when there is a specific requirement to use (or not use) them.   If you discourage the use of “the Web”, be sure to clarify that web-based research databases subscribed to by the library are acceptable.

Check with your subject librarian to be sure that the library has the resources your students need to complete the assignment.   Ask your subject librarian to create a course guide so that students can easily identify resources.   Use Reserves when necessary to avoid having many students trying to access the same piece of information.

Make the assignment part of a real inquiry that is linked to course content. Teach research techniques, or invite your subject librarian to do it.   Do not assume students already know how to use the library. Despite their familiarity with Google, most students do not know effective search strategies.   Practice shaping topics into research questions and show your students what to look for when you research the literature on an unfamiliar subject.   Provide opportunities for feedback and reflection. Include a method for evaluating strategies (such as research log). Require students to exercise critical thinking in the research process.   Design assignments that require your students to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize the information they find.   Grade their bibliographies for quality of sources and balance, not just for style.   Have them develop criteria for judging the quality of sources (or present your own and discuss in class).

Most students will need guidance to complete library research assignments. Avoid telling students not to ask for help; libraries are complex institutions and it is expected that students will need assistance.   Encourage your students to consult with their subject librarian throughout the research process.   Encourage students to use the library's various service points to get help throughout the research process.

Include Emory College's Honor Code, which contains a policy on plagiarism, in the syllabus and discuss the role of documentation in a community of scholars.   Require that the students submit work in drafts to avoid plagiarism.   Anti-Plagiarism Strategies for Research Papers: a site by Robert Harris with strategies to combat plagiarism on research papers.