Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to “recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.” (ALA, 1989)
Authority Is Constructed and Contextual
Information Creation as a Process
Information Has Value
Research as Inquiry
Scholarship as Conversation
Searching as Strategic Exploration
Identify your information need (CHECK the syllabus)
Approach the research process with curiosity
Select a research topic that interests you
Formulate a plan for locating credible, reliable, scholarly information
Begin with a broad search using your topic as a keyword (i.e., "technology")
Use the filters to narrow the results based on your information need
Ask questions about the source that you have located
Locate an author and recognize a date
Analyze the source critically
Determine the credibility based on your evaluation
Provide in-text and full citations for all sources
Credit your references and give props to the authors
Create new knowledge based on the information that you located and evaluated
Share your research findings with classmates and professors
Source: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Ask yourself these questions when evaluating sources for credibility:
WHO is the author? Is there an author listed? What are the listed author's qualifications?
WHAT is the content? Does the source contain information that is relevant to your research topic?
WHEN was the information written? Is the information timely? Has the content been updated recently?
WHERE is the source coming from? Is the web domain a .org (organization), .edu (education), .gov (government)?
WHY was the information published? Is this an entertainment or a scholarly, academic information source?
Evaluate all resources critically when performing academic research for college assignments.
.edu - Education
.gov - Government
.org - Organization (non-profit)
.com - Commercial
Currency
Relevance
Authority
Accuracy
Purpose
Source: International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)