Information-Seeking and Evaluation Skills

The following skills are objectives for JMU General Education Cluster One students:

• Determine when information is needed and find it efficiently using a variety of reference sources.
• Evaluate the quality of the information.
• Use the information effectively for an appropriate purpose.
• Employ appropriate technologies to create an information-based product.
• Use information ethically and legally.

Below are specific skills students must master to demonstrate competency.

Module 1— Orientation to JMU Libraries

The student will identify the following services, collections, and finding aids:

Carrier Library & East Campus Library Reference Circulation Media Resources

Library Delivery Service Library Home Page LEO Library Catalog Periodical Locator

Module 2 — An Introduction to Types of Information

The student will:

• Given a need for a particular type of information (i.e. overview, scientific research, news), identify and use an appropriate type of source, such as:
  • encyclopedia article
  • book
  • magazine article
  • journal article
  • newspaper article
  • primary source
  • government publication
  • book and movie reviews
  • statistics
• Differentiate among major finding aids typically used in libraries:  library catalog, research databases, Internet search engines.

Module 3 — Searching a Database

The student will:

• Define the terms database, record, and field
• Define 2 types of information databases: catalog and article database
• Determine the subject scope and years of coverage of a given database
• Compare and contrast a subject search and a keyword search
• Build a search strategy using AND, OR, NOT (Boolean operators)
• Define truncation, nesting, field-specific searching, and phrase searching
• Identify the main concepts of a research topic and generate a list of search terms

Module 4 — Interpreting Citations

The student will identify and interpret a bibliographic citation

• book
• article from magazine or journal
• newspaper article
• chapter in a book
• government publication
• web site

Module 5 — Using Internet Sources

The student will:

• Refine an Internet search to retrieve relevant and high quality results that fit an information need
• Characterize the value and limitations of searching the Internet versus library information sources.
• Compare and contrast a database search with an Internet search

Module 6 — Evaluating Sources of Information

The student will evaluate information using the following criteria:

• Authority of the author or producer
• Appropriateness of the date of publication
• Supporting documentation
• Purpose of the work
• Review process

Module 7 — Information Ethics: Citing Sources and Fair Use

The student will:

• Identify the bibliographic elements essential for properly citing an information source
• Define plagiarism
• Apply appropriate ethical guidelines to the use and citing of information

Module 8 — A Search Strategy for Research Papers and Speeches

The student will employ an efficient search strategy for a research paper or speech that includes:

• Choosing a topic and identifying its main concepts
• Narrowing the focus of the topic
• Identifying reference books, databases, and Internet sites appropriate for researching the topic
• Using a variety of sources
• Evaluating the sources found for appropriateness and quality
• Citing all sources using a consistent style.