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Research and Critical Inquiry Microcourse (RCIM)

The Research and Critical Inquiry Microcourse (RCIM) serves as an introduction to the Albertsons Library and research skills that will not only help your students with their papers and projects but will also help them navigate information used in their personal lives and future employment.

Teaching these important critical thinking skills to first-year students improves the quality of resources they use in assignments, and in turn, improves learning. Information literacy and college-level research skills are intertwined with intellectual foundations, specifically Boise State’s ULO 3 Critical Inquiry: collecting and organizing evidence/data/reasons and evaluative reasoning.  

In the RCIM, they will view content and complete tasks in four content areas including:

  • The Albertsons Library
  • Strategies for searching
  • Learning how to use available tools to find quality sources
  • Evaluating sources

After completing the RCIM, they will receive a completion badge that they can upload into your Canvas course in order to receive credit for their work. 

Getting Started

Access the RCIM at the following links:

UF100: https://boisestatecanvas.instructure.com/courses/35182 

UF200: https://boisestatecanvas.instructure.com/courses/35191

Students will be automatically enrolled in the Research and Critical Inquiry Microcourse.

To verify that you have been successfully enrolled in the course:

  • Log into Canvas after the course opens.

  • Click on Dashboard or Courses (scroll down to select “All Courses”), and you will see Research and Critical Inquiry Microcourse listed there.

If you think you may not have been enrolled, first check both the Dashboard AND Courses tabs in Canvas and then email librarybadges@boisestate.edu.

FAQ for Faculty

Q: Who should I contact if I have questions about the RCIM?

  • All questions may be sent to librarybadges@boisestate.edu. For help with course content, quizzes, and assignments, please direct your students to visit Bronco Learning Commons to speak to a librarian (Mon-Thurs, 10am-4pm) or use the library's chat reference service available in the bottom corner on the library's homepage (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

Q: Why do we include information literacy skills in the UF curriculum?

  • Information literacy is one of the most important critical thinking skill areas that first-year college students should engage with. Information literacy and college-level research skills are intertwined with intellectual foundations, specifically Boise State’s ULO 3 Critical Inquiry: collecting and organizing evidence/data/reasons and evaluative reasoning.  Teaching information literacy skills improves the quality of resources that students use in assignments, and in turn, improves learning.

Q: How many library badges are there?

  • Students earn 1 overall course badge. The following is an overview of the modules: 
    • Introduction
    • The Library & Research Basics
    • The Internet & Natural Language Searching
    • Library Databases & Keyword Searching
    • Lateral Reading & Generative AI
    • Conclusion
    • NOTE: students must also complete the 2 assignments located in the Final Assignments and Badge section at the end of the course.

Q: Are students required to do the Introduction and Conclusion also?

  • Yes, both the Introduction and Conclusion have assignments/quizzes and are part of the course.

Q: Who is required to complete the RCIM?

  • All UF 100 students are required to complete the RCIM during the semester they are enrolled as a UF 100 student. All UF 200 students will be required to provide verification of completion. If they are unable to do so, they will be required to complete the RCIM during UF 200.

Q: Do CWI transfer students who completed the CWI library badges need to complete the Albertsons Library RCIM?

  • We have created a module specifically for College of Western Idaho transfer students. Please see the information sent in the email at the beginning of the semester for more information, as well as the "Earn Your CWI Transfer Badge" tab above. Contact us if you need assistance.

Q: When should I assign the RCIM?

  • Students find information literacy skills most meaningful if they can immediately apply them to a required project that involves locating outside sources. You may decide to align your coursework with your students’ completion of the RCIM. 

  • UF 100 lead faculty and UF 200 faculty should assign it during their courses and set the due date for their students.

  • Contact Lizzy Borges (elizabethborges@boisestate.edu) or Georgann Kurtz-Shaw (georgannkurtzsha@boisestate.edu) if you would like assistance developing projects or assignments that utilize the skills taught in the RCIM.

Q: How do students get started on the RCIM?

  • The library curriculum is available in the Canvas learning management system. See links to our "Quick Start Guides" in the box above for the most up-to-date information. Students should be pre-enrolled in the course, but it will not be available to them until it opens each semester.

Q: How long will it take students to complete the RCIM?

  • Most students report that the course can be completed in approximately 3-4 hours. Because some assignments require manual grading, students can expect to see their Grades section updated in Canvas M-F, within 24-48 hours after completing the online activities.

Q: How will I know if my students earned the library badge?

  • Create an assignment in your UF course site, and ask students to submit  a screenshot of their badge certificate page with the window visible that has their name and/or email address and time/date of completion listed. 

  • Students should upload their certificate by your due date.