"I'm just wondering what to do:" Mentoring undergraduate students in an interdisciplinary research group

Aligning with the theme of "project based and transdisciplinary research instruction," this poster shares one model for situating a librarian within an interdisciplinary undergraduate research group, the Flight 93/ 9/11 Research Project at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education. Reviewing the literature in the field is often step one in conducting research in one’s own area of interest. How do we help undergraduates translate library research skills into comprehensive, publishable literature reviews? This poster addresses the application of “just in time” instruction and mentoring for undergraduates, as they develop their own research questions and write reviews of the literature. In this case, undergraduates’ mentors include a reference librarian, the faculty member heading the group, graduate student research supervisors, and practitioners from the field. Students choose projects based on their disciplines and post-undergraduate goals, and they create literature reviews that become parts of co-authored, peer-reviewed articles or conference poster sessions. Situating a reference librarian in the mix helps students learn and apply research skills using the tools at their disposal, specifically in their areas of interest. Librarian mentors also allow undergraduates the freedom of asking for specific help without leaving the building, the workspace, or the research group. Students build confidence founded in the freedom to make mistakes, and the freedom to ask “stupid” questions to mentors who are not "the boss," but rather colleagues and co-researchers. Producing publishable literature reviews also increases undergraduate students’ proficiency and confidence in reading, writing and using the research tools available to them, further preparing them for their future endeavors