About the Author
- Page ID
- 409946
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Abo
ut the Author
Dr. Brandee Idleman is a Research & Instruction Librarian and Guided Pathways Coordinator at Irvine Valley College in Southern California. She earned a Doctor of Education from Northeastern University, where her research examined asynchronous information literacy learning in the Canvas learning management system. She also holds a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama, where she was inducted into Beta Phi Mu, the international honor society for library and information studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in European History from Dickinson College, where she was a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society.
Throughout her career, Dr. Idleman has focused on helping students become confident researchers, critical thinkers, and effective academic writers. She developed Irvine Valley College's asynchronous information literacy program, which has awarded more than 35,000 micro-credentials, and created the college's first honors-level library course, currently approved as a transfer-level critical thinking and research writing course.
As both a librarian and educator, Dr. Idleman teaches research, information literacy, and academic writing while leading campus initiatives that improve student success and equitable access to higher education. This textbook reflects her commitment to making research practical, accessible, and relevant for today's college students.
About This Book
This textbook was written to support LIB 20H Critical Thinking and Research Writing Honors at Irvine Valley College. The course develops advanced critical thinking, research, and academic writing through an iterative, evidence-based process. Students learn to formulate meaningful research questions, locate and evaluate scholarly and professional sources, synthesize diverse perspectives, and construct thesis-driven arguments across disciplines. The course culminates in a substantial research project presented as either a conference-ready paper or a multimedia presentation.
While designed for an honors-level research writing course, this book is intended for any student who wants to become a more thoughtful researcher, critical consumer of information, and effective academic writer. Its emphasis on information literacy, evidence-based reasoning, and ethical scholarship provides a foundation for success in college, professional careers, and lifelong learning.