ENGL 1102 Information Literacy Outcomes Critically evaluate information using applicable

criteria Appropriately use information to fulfill the

identified need

Library research

What do I want to know?Define an information need and develop a strategy

How do I find it?Know where to look Implement search strategy

How do I know if it’s right for me?Evaluate information before you use it

Define an information need

Review your assignmentHow many sources? What type(s)? What is the audience? What is the intended purpose?

Brainstorm for ideasTalk to friends; browse web; read newspaper

Identify main topic and related conceptsUse a thesaurus; break down by subtopic

Put it all togetherDevelop a search strategy

Search strategy Use “ “ or ( ) to keep words together & in order, i.e., “senior citizens” or (senior citizens)

Connect with Boolean operators

AND = narrow

OR = expand

NOT = exclude

• AND is automatically used by Google and other search engines to combine terms.

• Sometimes a program will use a + or – to substitute for AND or NOT

PUT IT INTO PRACTICEDeveloping search terms

Search terms Use these anywhere

CONCEPT 1

Main topic

CONCEPT 2

Related concept

CONCEPT 3

Subtopic

AND AND

OR

synonym

OR

synonym

OR

synonym

OR

synonym

OR

synonym

OR

synonym

KNOW WHERE TO LOOKBooksArticlesOnline resources

Books comprehensive information historical perspective expert analysis find book titles in the CSU Catalog

CSU Catalog

NOTE: You can use Boolean logic in both basic and advanced searches.

Articles contemporary or new information narrowly focused perspective may be popular, trade, or scholarly find articles in a database

citation full-text

Articles

How to find: Articles

General, multidisciplinary databases

Academic Search Complete

Select Advanced Search

Search Strategy = adoption AND rights AND “gay parents”

different ideas connected with AND

Use suggested subject terms for brainstorming

Search Strategy = adoption AND (rights OR laws) AND (“gay parents” OR homosexuals)

similar ideas connected with OR

Remove limiters by clicking the orange X

Limit results by availability, type, or date

Article Access Level

Detailed Record

Online Resources today’s information broad, variety perspective questionable reliability and stability find resources from reliable online sources

How to find: Internet ResourcesSearch engines not all created equal!

Subject directories organized links to resources

Professional & Trade organizations websites provide industry news, directories, etc.

Know Your Domains

Extension Type

.edu Educational institution

.org Non-profit service organizations

.gov Government agency

.mil Military entities

.biz Businesses

.com Commercial organization

.net Internet service providers

Critically evaluate information using applicable criteria

EVALUATING INFORMATION

Evaluating InformationAuthorityCurrencyContent

Audience Purpose/Scope Objectivity/Bias Accuracy Quality

TIP: Trust no one!

Evaluate: AuthorityWho wrote the information?What are his/her/their credentials? What affiliations, if any, does the author have?

Is contact information provided?Who published the work? Who sponsored the work?

Evaluate: CurrencyWhen was the work published? Are there multiple editions? Examine currency of references

NOTE: Old ≠ Bad! ex: Historical information does not need to be revisited as often as technological information

© 2012

Evaluate: Content

Who is the intended audience? What is the purpose? What is the scope? Examine objectivity Examine for accuracyIs the information verifiable? Evaluate overall quality

Authority Currenc

y

Content

Content

Authority

Authority

Currency

Content

Content

Authority

Currency

Content

Content

Authority

Authority

Currency

Content

Authority

Currency

Putting it all together Know your assignment Clarify your topic Be flexible in your search Critically evaluate your resources

Next steps

Appropriately use information to fulfill the identified need

Go to: http://clayton.libguides.com/ENGL1102 for tips on citing sources and avoiding plagiarism