Information Literacy at Nicholls

Searching as Strategic Exploration

The Big Questions:

• What sources create information related to my information need?

• What search strategies and search tools will give me the information I require?

• Who are the experts that may aid me?

• Do I have enough information?

Understandings:

• Research skills will grow as one moves from a novice to expert researcher.

• Familiarity with information sources in a particular field is necessary to become an expert researcher.

• Information is organized for a purpose.

• Initial searches may not produce adequate results.  

• Guidance from experts may be required.

Student Learning Outcomes: The student will be able to...

• determine the extent of their information need.
• investigate and explain how information is organized for the purpose of understanding how to access it.
• access the information they need.
• determine when help is needed to find the necessary information.
• analyze their own privileges in access to information.

Searching as Strategic Exploration

Searching for information is often nonlinear and iterative, requiring the evaluation of a range of information sources and the mental flexibility to pursue alternate avenues as new understanding develops.

The act of searching often begins with a question that directs the act of finding needed information. Encompassing inquiry, discovery, and serendipity, searching identifies both possible relevant sources as well as the means to access those sources. Experts realize that information searching is a contextualized, complex experience that affects, and is affected by, the cognitive, affective, and social dimensions of the searcher. Novice learners may search a limited set of resources, while experts may search more broadly and deeply to determine the most appropriate information within the project scope. Likewise, novice learners tend to use few search strategies, while experts select from various search strategies, depending on the sources, scope, and context of the information need.

Knowledge Practices

Learners who are developing their information literate abilities

• determine the initial scope of the task required to meet their information needs;
• identify interested parties, such as scholars, organizations, governments, and industries, who might produce information about a topic and then determine how to access that information;
• utilize divergent (e.g., brainstorming) and convergent (e.g., selecting the best source) thinking when searching;
• match information needs and search strategies to appropriate search tools;
• design and refine needs and search strategies as necessary, based on search results;
• understand how information systems (i.e., collections of recorded information) are organized in order to access relevant information;
• use different types of searching language (e.g., controlled vocabulary, keywords, natural language) appropriately;
• manage searching processes and results effectively.

Dispositions

Learners who are developing their information literate abilities

• exhibit mental flexibility and creativity
• understand that first attempts at searching do not always produce adequate results
• realize that information sources vary greatly in content and format and have varying relevance and value, depending on the needs and nature of the search
• seek guidance from experts, such as librarians, researchers, and professionals
• recognize the value of browsing and other serendipitous methods of information gathering
• persist in the face of search challenges, and know when they have enough information to complete the information task