1. Introduction to
Information
Literacy

2. In this tutorial, you will learn the
basics of:
• What information literacy is and why it is
important.
• How information is analyzed.
• How to develop a topic for research.
• How to evaluate information.

3. What is Information Literacy?
According to the American Library
Association (ALA), information literacy
is “the set of skills needed to find,
retrieve, analyze, and use
information.”

4. Why is Information Literacy
Important?
• Not all information is accurate,
authoritative, current, and reliable.
• Some information is biased,
misleading, out-of-date, or false.

5. Section 1: Analyzing Information

6. Categorizing Information
• Information can be organized by
subject matter, format, or both.
• Information can be categorized by
when it was produced, or who
produced it and for whom.

7. Information Formats
• Print • Multimedia
• Digital • Microform
• Audio/Video • Personal
Communication

8. Publications
Popular publications-
Publications to inform and entertain the general public.
Scholarly publications-
Publications that disseminate research and academic
discussions among professionals.
Trade-
Publications that allow practitioners in specific industries
to share market and product information.

9. Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary
Sources
Primary Source:
Words, images, or other materials created by a person (or persons) directly
involved in an activity or event.
Secondary Source:
Words, images, or other materials created as an analysis of events or ideas.
Tertiary Source:
Materials that compile secondary sources together.

10. Which of the following would be
an example of a primary source?
A. Movie Review
B. Encyclopedia
C. Chemist’s Lab Notes
D. Newspaper Article

11. Sorry, that’s not correct.
Please try again!

12. Great job!
The correct answer is
C. Chemist’s Lab Notes

13. Section 2: Topics of Research

14. What is research?
According to Cambridge Dictionaries
Online, research is “a detailed study of
a subject, especially in order to
discover (new) information or reach a
(new) understanding.”

15. Determining a Research Topic
First step is to understand the basic
requirements of the project, paper, or
presentation.

16. Research Project, Paper, or
Presentation Requirements
• Description?
• Analysis?
• Scope?

17. Refining a Research Topic
• Choose one aspect of a topic that is of
interest to narrow research.
• Examine encyclopedia articles or
other reference materials for ideas
and possible subtopics.
• State topic as a question to answer.

18. Background Information
• Once a research topic/question has been
established, the next step is to find
background information on that topic.
• There are many different types of resources
that can be used to find basic, background
information on a research topic.

19. Information Desired Where to Find Information
Statistics Data books/Handbooks
Definitions Dictionaries
Brief articles/explanations Encyclopedia
Events/Dates Chronologies
Bibliography Formatting Style Guides

20. Which of the following will help
you choose a topic for research?
A. Project Requirements
B. Scope of Project, Paper, or Presentation
C. General Sources
D. All of the above

21. Sorry, that’s not correct.
Please try again!

22. Great Job!
The correct answer is
D. All of the Above

23. Section 3: Evaluating
Information

24. Why is evaluation important?
• Not all information is credible.
• Not all information is appropriate for
each project, research paper, or
presentation.

25. Elements to examine to evaluate
information:
• Author’s credibility • Objectivity
• Publisher’s credibility • Currency
• Intended audience • Overall quality
• Scholarship

26. Author’s Credibility
• What are the author’s credentials?
• What are the author’s other works?
• Is the author associated with any
institution?

27. Publishers
Types of publishers:
• Commercial
• University Presses
• Associations, Societies, Businesses, and
Industries
• Government Bodies
• Web Publishers

28. Objectivity
• Is the goal or objective of the
publication clearly stated?
• Does the information seem to exhibit a
particular bias?

29. Currency
• When was the information published?
• Has the information been updated or
revised?
• Does the information update other sources?

30. Overall Quality
• Is the information • Are any charts,
accurate and pictures, tables, or
complete? diagrams clearly
• Is the information presented?
organized in a clear,
well-organized
manner?

31. In considering an author’s credentials,
one should:
A. Try to determine the author’s affiliations.
B. Determine if the author has written anything
else on the topic.
C. Only read the most recent publications by the
author.
D. Determine whether the author has written
on at least three different subjects.

32. I’m sorry, that’s not correct.
Please try again!

33. Great job!
The correct answer is
A. Try to determine the author’s
affiliations.

34. The End