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Click for Library HomeResearch Skills for the Information Age (Libt 212)

Cuesta's Library/Information Technology program offers a great class that prepares students to become successful researchers and knowledgeable consumers of information.

Libt 212 - Research Skills for the Information Age

Libt 212 is an information literacy course for students wishing to improve their research skills. This course will prepare students to effectively address different information questions, problems or issues by providing them with the skills to locate, interpret, analyze, synthesize, evaluate and communicate information.

Upon completion of this course the students should be able to:

  • Recognize that an information need exists and define that need (i.e. question, problem or issue).
  • Formulate an appropriate research query and determine what information is needed to best address the question, problem or issue.
  • Identify potential sources of information and determine which sources of information contain the most appropriate information to address the question, problem or issue.
  • Differientiate different information sources and the type of information contained in each.
    1. Reference and periodicals.
    2. audio/visual.
    3. Internet.
  • Locate and retrieve relevant information in all its various sources and formats by using different information technology tools.
    1. Search Engines.
    2. Simple Boolean Logic/Keywords.
    3. Telnet/FTP.
    4. Indexes.
    5. Databases.
    6. Library Catalogs.
    7. Guides.
  • Analyze and evaluate the information discovered in different sources to determine its appropriate to the question, problem or issue at hand.
    1. Timelines, reliability, currentness, and authority.
    2. Fact, opinion, propoganda, point of view and bias.
  • Organize the information retrieved from different sources.
    1. Classify, group or label information.
    2. Recognize interrelationships among concepts.
    3. Identify points of agreement and disagreement among sources.
    4. Revise and redefine the information problem if necessary.
  • Solve or answer question, problem or issue from information gathered.
    1. Summarize information in students' own words.
    2. Paraphrase or quote important facts and details when necessary for accuracy and clarity.
    3. Draw conclusions based on information gathered and students' interpretation of it.
    4. Organize information into a coherent and logical response to question, problem or issue.
  • Communicate results and conclusions to the questions, problem or issue to others through the format most appropriate for the audience and purpose (i.e. written, oral, visual).
  • Determine how well the final product resolved the information problem and if the steps taken to reach the desired outcome were appropriate and efficient.
    1. Determine the extent to which the conclusion and project met the defined information need and/or satisfied the assignment (i.e. how well did I do?).
    2. Consider if the research question/problem, search strategy, resources, or interpretation should have been expanded, revised or otherwise modified (i.e. what could/should I have done differently?).
    3. Reassess understanding of the process and identify steps which need further understanding, skill development, or practice (i.e. how can I do better in the future?).
  • Apply skills learned to enable life long learning.
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