Information Literacy
Definition:
The abilities to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, effectively use, and communicate information in its various formats. The American Library Association
Goals of Information Literacy:
The information literate patron will know:
1. What kinds of informateion are out there and in what formats?
2. Where do I find this information?
3. How do I find this information?
4. How do I use this information?
5. How do I evaluate this information?
What kinds of information are available and in what formats?
Books
Journals
Documents* (some)
Newspaper Articles
Codes/Statutes
Websites
Statistics
Interviews*
Surveys*
And more....
Where do I find these sources of information?
Catalogs
Periodical Indexes
Subject Specific Databases
Directories
Search Engines - broadcast searching
How Do I find this information?
Search Protocols and Search Strategies
How do I use this information?
The Literature Search:
- Seek Balance
- Alter your search techniques/strategies when necessary.
- Using the formats and sources of information you have learned, search the available literature to see if it will support a research paper on your topic. Do Not settle on a topic until you have determined that there is sufficient information on your topic to support a research paper.
Defining and Refining a Topic:
Topic Stem:
police and ethics
- (police or "law enforcement") and ethics
- police and ethics and "community relations"
- police and ethics and training
Final Topic: Ethics Training for police officers in the context of community relations.
