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Information Literacy: Home

What you need to know to do research at the college level.

Tutorials in this guide

Click each tab to access these tutorials...

Getting started:

  • Deciphering your research assignment
  • What are popular and scholarly sources?
  • What are primary and secondary sources?

Topic development:

  • Developing a topic
  • How to use Wikipedia

Using Library databases:

  • What is a library database?
  • Generating search terms
  • Boolean searching

Using the Web:

  • Internet searching tips
  • Evaluating internet sources
  • Using Google scholar

 Documenting sources:

  • Why you need to cite sources
  • Incorporating sources into your paper
  • Voice markers
  • Deconstructing citations

How do I use this guide?

This guide is designed to give students some background knowledge for doing research at the college level, a frequent requirement in courses at LSC-O. Click each tab above and view the tutorials on each tab. The last tab links to a quiz on the main points covered in each tutorial.

What are the attributes of an information literate person?

An information literate person is able to:

  • Determine the type and extent of information needed
  • Fill information needs effectively and efficiently
  • Critically evaluate information and its sources
  • Select and use information to accomplish a specific purpose
  • Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding information
  • Access and use information ethically and legally.

Mastering this set of abilities and skills enables a person to become a more self-directed learner, which improves the quality of their learning and enables continuous learning over a lifetime.

How does information literacy relate to computer literacy?

Information literacy has significant overlap with computer literacy in our digital age, but it is a distinct and broader area of competence, more focused on information content, information types, sources, searching skills, and the critical thinking needed to evaluate, analyze, and use information to accomplish a purpose.  

The computer literate person has knowledge and experience with computers and related devices, the tools needed to find, process, and communicate information. A successful college graduate will be both information literate and computer literate.

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