Information Literacy Definition
An information literate person is able to identify their specific information needs and locate and retrieve information from the abundance of available sources. They must be able to critically evaluate the reliability and accuracy of the information found, and synthesize and communicate newfound meaning from their accumulated sources.
Resources for Students
Listed below are six principles of information literacy. Click on the attached files for more information about each principle:
1) Authority is constructed and contextual: Think critically about information. Ask questions about an author or organization's purpose. Consider a variety of diverse ideas and perspectives before reaching a conclusion.
2) Information creation as a process: The format of an information source determines how it is perceived, how we weigh its value.
3) Information has value: Demonstrate academic integrity by crediting the work of others; be a good information creator and consumer.
4) Research as inquiry: Research is a continual process; be flexible, curious, and creative; be persistent even when you feel stuck.
5) Scholarship as conversation: You are a contributor to scholarly conversations, as such, do your homework and take the time to learn and understand issues so you can participate meaningfully. Understand that not all voices are privileged and seek to understand why.
6) Searching as strategic exploration: Be prepared to revise your search strategy when you don't find the answers immediately. Use an organizational system to help you manage all the threads of your research.
Rubric
Attitudes of Information Literate People
- Be open to diverse perspectives and opinions
- Search beyond the easily found sources and instead concentrate on authoritative sources
- Approach ALL information with a skeptical eye
- Respect the original ideas of others and give credit accordingly
- See yourself as a information creator, not just an information consumer
- Research is not easy; persist despite setbacks
- Know when to ask for help
- Seek out conversations/debates in your area of interest and learn the lingo
- Be curious and creative
Source Evaluation
Evaluate all sources of information: be a skeptic! You can employ a variety of tools to do so, such as:
The 5Ws:
Who? Who is the author, how are they an authority on this topic?
What? What's this publication really about? How is it relevant to YOUR paper? What's the purpose of the article? To persuade or to inform? What is the author's tone?
When? When was this document published? How soon after the events happened? This helps to understand the context.
Where? Where was this piece published? A newspaper, journal, book, blog? Does the publication reveal something about the bias of the author or of the publisher?
Why? Describe the purpose of this document? Who is the intended audience? Why does it enhance your paper?
KEE: Credibility Checklist
1. Knowledge (of author or organization)
a. Educational credentials (what degree/certification does the author have and does it relate to the subject they are writing about
b. Look at their vocabulary: do they use technical/discipline specific terms to demonstrate expertise?
c. Publication history: what else have they written on this topic? Demonstrates their comprehensive knowledge of a subject.
2. Experience
a. Where has the author worked/volunteered?
b. How does their work history shape their understanding of a subject?
3. Evidence
a. What proof do they provide for their claims? (e.g.) data, statistics, personal observations/experience, intuition, research studies, etc.
b. How current is the data provided?
c. Who published the data? Does the publisher of the content reveal any potential bias? (e.g.) is the publication known to be especially liberal or conservative, or to have a specific agenda?
CRAAP Test
CRAAP Test for evaluating websites from Chico State Library: Helps you to objectively assess the websites you find.