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Research Support: Information Literacy

This guide aims to help you start your research project, getting your research published and choose the best journal to publish your manuscript. The UTP Information Resource Centre is committed to helping all users become more information literate. Librar

Introduction

 

What is “information literacy”? According to the Association of College and Research Libraries  (ACRL), it is “the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the information". This explanatory short video explains that information literacy can be divided into five separate components: identify; find; evaluate; apply and acknowledge.

"Identify" is about identifying the nature and extent of the information needed, as well as the sources and the differences among different sources. "Find" means the ability to find the needed information effectively among the variety of existing sources. "Evaluate" is about the ability to evaluate the information found and its sources critically. The fourth component - "apply" - is about applying the information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose. The fifth component of information literacy - "acknowledge" - is about acknowledging the sources of information you use, meaning understanding the ethical, legal, and socio-economic issues surrounding information. This last aspect also relates to freedom of speech and freedom of the media since it may deal with recognizing the limits and protections of free speech and censorship.

Target Users

No.

                                             Module Name                                                           

                          Target User                              
1. Module 1: Introduction to IRC New Students
2. Module 2: Searching Techniques New Students
3. Module 3: Access to E-Resources 

FYP I 

Postgraduates
4. Module 4: Getting Started with EndNote

FYP I 

Postgraduates

Your Trainers

  

Zarrul Syammer                   M Fadzly Aziz                      Zaidah Mahmud

     zarrul.mtalib@utp.edu.my      mfadzly.aziz@utp.edu.my     zaidah_mahmud@utp.edu.my

Topics Covered

1. Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)

2. Searching Techniques

3. Subscribed E-resources Collection

4. Remote Access Service

5. Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL)

6. Access to PETRONAS Technical Standards (PTS)

7. Tips to Evaluate Sources

8. UTPedia

9. Getting Started with EndNote

The Importance of Information Literacy

To become lifelong learners, we need to know not just how to learn, but how to teach ourselves.  We must acquire the skills necessary to be independent, self-directed learners.  An information-literate person should be able to: 

IDENTIFY information needs and determine the extent of information needed.  Clearly and concisely define the question to be answered, and realize that the question may evolve.

LOCATE and retrieve appropriate sources of information: 

  • Understand the structure of information: how is it produced, disseminated, organized, cataloged, stored, and retrieved, and how these factors vary by discipline.  For example, how do scholars or professionals keep up to date in and contribute to their field.
  • Use indexes and other search tools effectively and efficiently to find specific resources (e.g., select appropriate tools, formulate search strategies, use appropriate search techniques, evaluate results)

EVALUATE the information and its sources critically.

  • Understand different types of sources and formats, and how to use them.
    Evaluate the relevance and reliability of the information retrieved.

SYNTHESIZE the information retrieved, integrate it into one's current knowledge base, and successfully apply it to the original information needed.

PRESENT this newly acquired knowledge so that others can use it. 

  • Determine the audience's needs and the best presentation format; know the standards and criteria for presenting information in the relevant subject/field/discipline.
  • Properly cite sources: direct the audience to sources of further information and acknowledge one's sources.​

TRANSLATE these abilities and concepts to new projects and disciplines.