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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide librarians with an approach to weeding, which reduces librarians' fears and concerns of withdrawing books from an academic collection.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a case study.FindingsThe paper outlines specific steps for implementing a weeding project, including developing criteria and procedures, garnering the support of administration, building librarian confidence in performing weeding, and encouraging teaching faculty involvement.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into the nature of the concerns and fears librarians face in weeding an academic library collection, and offers suggestions on how to build confidence and support for weeding among both librarians and academic faculty.

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Purpose-This study aims to explore how students conceptualize the research process, describing in their own words the strategies they used, as well as the successes and challenges they encountered. Areas of review include: thesis definition; search strategies; quality, variety and depth of resources; and source evaluation and citation. Design/methodology/approach-The study analyzes 76 essays written by undergraduate and graduate students, describing their research process. Quotations from the students' essays have been incorporated into the study results to provide a unique perspective from the researchers' own reflections on the processes and techniques they used to complete their research papers. Findings-Many students encountered difficulties when writing a rigorous research paper, even though they had previously completed research assignments for other classes. There was a clear indication that instruction and support from librarians continues to be valuable, even for experienced students. Practical implications-The students' reflections provide a better perspective on how students conduct their research for upper-level research papers and new insights on optimal timing for support services. The findings will be shared with faculty, along with strategies that librarians and faculty can utilize to improve students' research papers. Originality/value-The essays reviewed in this study provide a unique personal perspective as students reflect on their own behaviors during the research process. This research offers an alternative approach to faculty and librarian assessments of student papers and research skills.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to look at the research needs of undergraduate and graduate business students at Monmouth University. Design/methodology/approach -Students were surveyed regarding the types of business course assignments that require research and the number of sources which must be cited for these research projects. The information-seeking behaviors of business students used in gathering these sources were examined, looking at where these students began their research, which tools they used, and the challenges they faced in conducting research. The paper also investigated the students' preferred methods of seeking assistance in completing their research, as well as how they evaluated the credibility of sources they uncovered. Findings -Student research requirements for homework assignments were fairly evenly distributed between very often/often and sometimes/never. Overall, students noted that presentations required research very often or often. Only 2.35 percent reported no research for short papers, with graduate students representing the largest group who indicated no research required for short papers. By contrast, 81 percent of seniors responded that they conducted research for short papers either very often or often. When preparing long papers (over six pages), students most frequently reported that research requirements were required sometimes. During the qualitative phase of the project, students revealed their frustration with doing research on very specific topics assigned by professors. Originality/value -The results of this research can assist librarians in two important areas: collection management and instruction.