Plant-Based Information: Research Strategies

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)

• 1 - Realize your information need
  • Log into D2L and access the course syllabus
  • Comprehend the assignment criteria (i.e., How many pages?)
  • Recognize the sources required (i.e., Library databases or Internet sites?)
• 2 - Discover your topic
  • Realize that you have to produce a paper or assignment and have an information need
  • Discover the topic that you want to research and write a paper or give a speech about
  • Explore topics that interest you and investigate exciting subjects that align with your pathway
• 3 - Create your thesis
  • Develop an argument or establish a unique point of view to shape the focus on your paper
  • Consider the opposing viewpoints of issues & controversies
  • Construct a foundation that will support your argument or thesis
• 4 - Research your topic
  • Start with a wide net using broad terms and research with your topic authentic inquiry
  • Create keywords to use in your academic search (e.g., technology, prisons, vegetarian food)
  • Make connections and ask questions based on new information discovered in the research
• 5 - Evaluate your research
  • Consider each aspect of the source and inspect the author, date, publisher, and purpose
  • Check web domains of internet sources (e.g., .edu. .gov, .org, .com) and consider the five W's
  • Run the source through CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) to evaluate
• 6 - Credit your sources
  • Use information that you located and evaluated effectively by crediting all sources with proper citations
  • Understand that students in academic institutions must cite sources to avoid plagiarism and ensure quality
  • Credit the credible references that were used to help you co-create new knowledge when you share your research findings

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)