Information literacy is (a) the ability to recognize an information need that prompts the identification, organization, evaluation, and synthesis of data for the purpose of decision making and problem solving in academic, professional, and personal settings; (b) the understanding of ethical considerations and legal issues related to the use of information; and (c) incorporation of relevant technologies to address the need and usage of information.
Using information literacy to make decisions about your academic research assignments involves applying the research process:
Information literacy is a skill that students need for successful lifelong learning; being information literate will not only serve you well in your academic pursuits, but also within your personal and professional life. Finding and evaluating information will help you make decisions like buying a car and choosing where to live as well as determining what information you need for your academic assignments. In fact, academic research projects help you develop your information literacy skills by requiring you to practice the steps in the research process to find, evaluate, and use the information to complete your project.
Information literacy is also a skill you will need to be successful in your career. A survey of college graduates revealed that 78% felt that finding relevant information was an important work-related skill they learned in college, and approximately 90% indicated that information literacy skills were being used at least monthly to perform their current job (Travis, 2011). If these skills are regularly being used in graduates' careers, then it can be surmised that employers value employees who can successfully find and use information. With the amount of information available and increasing, information literacy skills become even more important.
This module is designed to provide you with questions to practice your information literacy skills. This is not for a grade.
Go to the Quiz tab. Read each question carefully, and indicate your response by clicking on the radio button next to the answer and then selecting "Submit." Feedback regarding your responses will be revealed below the answer once you click on the radio button.
You may work through this practice module as many times as you want.
For a detailed lesson on information literacy, please see the Research Process of Information Literacy tutorial.
References
Travis, T. (2011). From the classroom to the boardroom: The impact of information literacy instruction on workplace research skills. Education Libraries 34(2), 19-31.