Research Assistant Training

Summer 2014

Professionalism

Communication
Make sure you get clarity on all your assignments:
o Always find out when the assignment is due.
o Always learn what format the professor desires
for the results. (Just copies of the sources? A
memorandum? An email? An oral briefing?)
o Ask to repeat the essentials of the assignment
back to the professor in your own words.
Use your professors preferred communication
method (e.g., in person, telephone, memorandum,
email), but remember:
o In-person contact can resolve questions and build
your working relationship.
When reporting on results and/or asking questions in
person or over the phone, organize your thoughts
beforehand; anticipate questions the professor is likely
to ask and be prepared to answer them.
Ask questions in batches if possible rather than
piecemeal.
Write professionallyspelling, grammar, tone,
format, etc.in all communications, including email
(even if your professor does not).
Make sure your professor knows your end date;
remind her as it draws closer.
Work Process and Work Product
Use your Bluebook.
Start with secondary sourcesdont reinvent the
wheel.
Keep a research log for each project.
Keep an assignment log that notes a brief description
of the assignment, date assigned, deadline, and where
your work is stored.
Use the legal research database your professor prefers
(if any), but go beyond it.
Scrub your written work. Reread more than once.
Time permitting, you may want to set it aside for a
half-day or more and reread again.

PERSPECTIVE
This is an important step in your
careertreat it that way.
It can feel like school, but it is a job.
Remember that in your interactions
with professors, classmates, librarians,
administrators, and staff, you are
establishing your professional
reputation.
Do your job well, and your professor can
serve as a valuable reference and
recommender.

EFFECTIVENESS
Be organized.
Be reliable.
Be on time for all meetings.
Show good judgment.
Earn trust.
Use good time management skills.
Beat deadlines.
Be self-aware and self-regulating.
Show energy and positivity.
Maintain a balanced workload:
o Let your professor know if you need
more to do, but
o Do not over-commit.
Use library resources:
o Research guides and LibGuides.
o Inter-Library Loan.
o Legal and other databases.
o Reference librarians.
Spend time in the building.