POGIL Activity: Using Web of Science to Perform a Topical Literature Search

Abstract

This POGIL activity introduces students to the use of Web of Science to perform topical literature searches using the refine filters, identifying and organizing relevant sources using the sort filters and the analyze results feature.  The activity is intended for use by undergraduate students involved in science writing.  Though the topic of the exercise is an instrumental analytical technique, the exercise can be adopted and adapted for use in other STEM disciplines.  The activity requires that students have access to laptops or desktop computers and a URL for the Web of Science.  This activity has been used successfully twice to date in 65-minute classes with 19 and 46 science and engineering majors. 

• Level: Undergraduate
• Setting: Classroom
• Activity Type: Learning Cycle
• Discipline: Chemistry
• Course: Analytical Chemistry
• Keywords: information literacy, Web of Science, literature search