Standard Two
The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.
Performance Indicators:
- The information literate student selects the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for accessing the needed information.
Outcomes Include:
- Identifies appropriate investigative methods (e.g., laboratory experiment, simulation, fieldwork)
- Investigates benefits and applicability of various investigative methods
- Investigates the scope, content, and organization of information retrieval systems
- Selects efficient and effective approaches for accessing the information needed from the investigative method or information retrieval system
- The information literate student constructs and implements effectively-designed search strategies.
Outcomes Include:
- Develops a research plan appropriate to the investigative method
- Identifies keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed
- Selects controlled vocabulary specific to the discipline or information retrieval source
- Constructs a search strategy using appropriate commands for the information retrieval system selected (e.g., Boolean operators, truncation, and proximity for search engines; internal organizers such as indexes for books)
- Implements the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages, protocols, and search parameters
- Implements the search using investigative protocols appropriate to the discipline
- The information literate student retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods.
Outcomes Include:
- Uses various search systems to retrieve information in a variety of formats
- Uses various classification schemes and other systems (e.g., call number systems or indexes) to locate information resources within the library or to identify specific sites for physical exploration
- Uses specialized online or in person services available at the institution to retrieve information needed (e.g., interlibrary loan/document delivery, professional associations, institutional research offices, community resources, experts and practitioners)
- Uses surveys, letters, interviews, and other forms of inquiry to retrieve primary information
- The information literate student refines the search strategy if necessary.
Outcomes Include:
- Assesses the quantity, quality, and relevance of the search results to determine whether alternative information retrieval systems or investigative methods should be utilized
- Identifies gaps in the information retrieved and determines if the search strategy should be revised
- Repeats the search using the revised strategy as necessary
- The information literate student extracts, records, and manages the information and its sources.
Outcomes Include:
- Selects among various technologies the most appropriate one for the task of extracting the needed information (e.g., copy/paste software functions, photocopier, scanner, audio/visual equipment, or exploratory instruments)
- Creates a system for organizing the information
- Differentiates between the types of sources cited and understands the elements and correct syntax of a citation for a wide range of resources
- Records all pertinent citation information for future reference
- Uses various technologies to manage the information selected and organized
From the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards