Games: Story Cubes

How to Play the Story Cubes Game

1. Roll the Cubes: Click the "ROLL" button to generate a random set of story elements.

2. Understand the Categories

Each cube represents a different aspect of your story:

• Task: The stage or action in the research process.
• Focus Area: The key aspect of source credibility and evaluation.
• Concern: A potential bias, ethical issue, or digital challenge to consider.
• Feeling: An emotion that influences the perspective or reaction.

3. Create Your Story

Use the words on the cubes as prompts to create a short story, research scenario, or discussion.

4. Repeat & Explore

Roll again for fresh ideas and new challenges.

5. Discuss & Reflect

Share your story and discuss how each element influences real-world research.

Need guidance? Ask your librarian or try the Ask A Librarian service.

(Choose a number between 1-11 for the first category "Task," 1-13 for the second category "Focus Area," 1-12 for the third category "Concern," and 1-15 for the fourth category "Feeling" to select a random question in the event the JavaScript of the game above isn't working) 

1. Task

   1. Defining a research topic
   2. Choosing search terms
   3. Exploring sources
   4. Evaluating sources
   5. Identifying gaps in research
   6. Refining a research question
   7. Understanding different perspectives
   8. Synthesizing information
   9. Citing sources correctly
   10. Presenting findings
   11. Reflecting on research choices

2. Focus Area

   1. Credibility of a source
   2. Author's authority
   3. Purpose of a source
   4. Bias in information
   5. Publication type & format
   6. Relevance to research
   7. Date of publication
   8. Fact-checking claims
   9. Intended audience
   10. Distinguishing scholarly vs. popular sources
   11. Impact of funding or sponsorship
   12. Accuracy of data
   13. Representation of diverse perspectives

3. Concern

   1. Algorithm bias
   2. Misinformation & disinformation
   3. Digital divide
   4. Censorship & restricted access
   5. Paywalls & accessibility barriers
   6. Marginalized voices in research
   7. Corporate influence on research
   8. Systemic bias in publishing
   9. Ethical dilemmas in information use
   10. Plagiarism & academic integrity
   11. Privacy & data security in research
   12. Echo chambers & filter bubbles

4. Feeling

   1. Overwhelmed
   2. Curious
   3. Frustrated
   4. Confident
   5. Anxious
   6. Relieved
   7. Skeptical
   8. Determined
   9. Doubtful
   10. Eager
   11. Lost
   12. Empowered
   13. Hopeful
   14. Discouraged
   15. Enlightened