Info Literacy Test: Focus On http://libguides.weber.edu/c.php?g=629813&p=4395783
MLA Citation
(Modern Language Association) Cite sources in English related formats.
Interlibrary Loan is on Worldcat
You can order from Interlibrary Loan on Worldcat.
Information Literacy
information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. refers to a set of characteristics that transform an ordinary student into a "wise information consumer/creator" and "life long learner". Information literacy is more than just a general education requirement; "information literate" is something you become.
According to U.S. law,
once a work is created, it is copyrighted. The creator of the work has the right to determine how his/her work may be used, with one exception; this exception is known as fair use.
The construct of information literacy is made up of a set of six interconnected core concepts that cover ideas about information, communication, research, and scholarship, and focuses on students as both consumers as well as creators of information. These are:
1. Authority Is Constructed and Contextual 2. Information Creation as a Process 3. Information Has Value 4. Research as Inquiry 5. Scholarship as Conversation 6. Searching as Strategic Exploration
2 things you won't find in the library catalog:
1: ELECTRONIC RESOURCES: such as electronic books and streaming music. These may be found using OneSearch. 2: ARTICLES: The Stewart Library catalog will list the titles of the magazines, newspapers, and journals found in the library, but will not provide information on the articles in them. EX: the catalog will tell you that we have copies of the New York Times and Vogue, but it will not provide you information on the articles in these periodicals. You can find articles on specific topics using article databases or OneSearch.
Worldcat
A database that includes items from libraries all over the world.
Finding the Stewart Library Catalog
A link to the Stewart Library catalog can be found on the Stewart Library home page by clicking on the icon that looks like a book, or by clicking the Search link at the top.
Google Scholar
A search engine that provides an easy way to search for scholarly literature on the internet. Weeds out general websites, linking you to some of the scholarly sources you would see in article databases like Biological Abstracts, JSTOR, or Academic Search Premier.
Q: Is the material on Google Scholar the same as the material in the library's databases? (In other words, which one should I use?)
A. Not always. If you want to do a more comprehensive search, use library databases in addition to Google Scholar because Google Scholar does not include all of our databases.
3 Boolean Operators:
AND, OR, NOT. Both words show up with AND, OR can be this or this but doesn't have to be both, NOT contains only one not the other so the order of it matters.
http://utahsonlinelibrary.org/ provides three subsets of resources which are:
Academic Pioneer, which is geared toward college students (https://ualc.net/) • K-12 Pioneer, which is intended for use by primary and secondary school students and teachers (http://onlinelibrary.uen.org/) • Preschool Pioneer, for children ages 3-6 (http://preschool.uen.org/)
Phrase
An idea that includes more than one word to describe the concept. Examples are concepts like "global warming", "stem cell", or "gun control". Phrases should be kept short, only 2-3 words in length.
Call Numbers
Are like address for books, to help us find books in the library.
Cite Sources
Citing sources in the proper format can make your papers appear more credible, and show you've done your research.
Synonyms
Different authors may use different terms to describe the same information.
Subject Focused Databases
Ex: Art Full Text, Criminal Justice Abstracts, Education FullText, and MEDLINE
Two types of Worldcat:
Free open version, and more powerful subscription version. worldcat.org is open to anyone, but for a more powerful subscription version of worldcat go to library website, library catalog, and then click worldcat.
To access Stewart Library's Online Database . . .
Go to library website and click Article Databases search alphabetically or subject list or eJournal search (search by topic or title).
Searching
Here, you'll choose keywords from your research topic, formulate search statements, and use these in catalogs and databases to find books and articles on your topic. Sometimes, if you are either not finding enough - or finding too much - information, you'll re-investigate and revise your question or thesis again.
Phrases and Keywords Example
How might education (key word) in correctional facilities (phrase) play a role in reducing recidivism (key word)?
Currency
How new (current) information is.
Researching Info that is too broad or too narrow
If it's too broad, you'll be overwhelmed. It is important that your topic is not too narrow, as you will have a hard time finding enough information
If I can't find the article I want?
If you can't find it order it from the Interlibrary Loan and it will be sent to you electronically in 24 - 48 hours (if you want a paper copy it will take longer).
How to get/find full text on Google Scholar:
In many cases you may have access to the full text of these articles through the Stewart Library. By setting 'Scholar Preferences' to specify the items that might be in the Stewart Library, Google Scholar will show you which items are full text.
How to site sources in APA
Last Name, First Initial. Middle Initial. (Date). Title. Title of Journal in Italics, Volume number in italics (issue number not in italics), page range for article. doi number/web address
How to do Works Cited (MLA)
Last Name, First Name. "Title." Title of Journal in italics, volume. and issue number (date): Pages of article. Database in italics. Web. date accessed.
3 types of Call Numbers
Library of Congress, Dewey Decimal, and Superintendent of Documents Call Numbers.
Library Catalog
Lists items owned by a particular library and its branches. The Stewart Library catalog will locate items owned by the main campus library in Ogden and the library located on Weber State's Davis campus.
Citing a Paper in APA format
Make sure list starts on a new page with References bolded in the middle at the top.
Materials in the Public Domain Include:
Most federal publications (e.g., Congressional reports, Supreme Court decisions). • Works where the copyright has expired. This one is tricky because the law keeps changing and it's different in the U.S. from other countries. In the U.S., this includes all works published or recorded before January 1, 1923 and some works published between 1924-1964. While a work like Tom Sawyer may be in the public domain, a specific version of the work may still be copyrighted or the introduction and the notes may be copyrighted. • Things NOT protected under copyright. This includes short phrases (e.g., "Make my day" from the movie Dirty Harry) and facts, theories and ideas (someone's interpretation or writings about facts, theories and ideas IS copyrighted). • Works where the author has explicitly declared that the work is in the public domain (e.g., some free music downloads, free software).
Bias
Most information is biased to some degree. The trick is to be aware of the bias and work with it.
Copyright Infringement
Music piracy or other copyright infringement is illegal. In an academic setting, it's also considered unethical. If you choose to engage in this activity, be prepared to deal with any consequences. While most lawsuits involve major players like published authors or radio stations, the Recording Industry Association of America and other groups have been pursuing lawsuits against private individuals, especially college students.
Boolean Operators
Named after 19th century George Boole. A form of logic used in library databases and some search engines.
Works Cited (MLA)
New page with Works Cited bolded and centered at top.
Weber State University has outlined an institutional definition of information literacy as it applies to our students, and this definition is based on these six core concepts. Students have achieved a basic level of information literacy when they have met the following four outcomes:
OUTCOME 1: RESEARCH AS AN EXPLORATORY PROCESS OUTCOME 2: SCHOLARSHIP AS COMMUNICATION OUTCOME 3: CRITICALLY EVALUATE INFORMATION OUTCOME 4: ETHICAL USE OF INFORMATION
The Library Catalog Includes . . .
Records for physical items found in the library, including books, CDs, maps, and videos. The catalog shows where they are located in the library and tells you if an item is available or checked out.
Plagiarism
Taking the work of another person and claiming as your own. Copying another's work without giving attributions. Using a paper you already used.
You can find ideas for topics in a number of places. Here's a list to help you get started:
Textbooks - Great for an overview of topics. If you are taking an interesting course, look in your textbook for topic ideas, or ask your professor. Reference books - Browse the reference area and look for encyclopedias or other reference sources that will give you background on a variety of topics. Also a good way to identify specific areas of the subject you might be interested in pursuing. Magazines and newspapers - Periodicals are good sources for exploring current events issues. Journals - These are best for exploring more scholarly topics. Ask a librarian for recommendations. General or subject specific article database - Great if you already have a topic in mind. Academic Search Premier is a good general database to start with if you aren't sure where to look. CQ Researcher - For argumentative papers. Presents both sides of the story for controversial topics. Google - Use Google to help you narrow down a topic if you already have a general idea of what you want to research.
There are a number of Boolean operators.
The ones you will learn in this course are AND and OR. It is a good idea to capitalize Boolean operators when you use them in a search.
Popular and Scholarly Sources
Think of popular and scholarly sources in terms of the audience and content. An article which reviews and summarizes a large number of research studies would be a secondary source. If that article was written for scholars or researchers in a field and listed numerous references, it would be a scholarly secondary source.
Don't confuse primary and secondary sources with popular and scholarly sources.
Think of primary and secondary sources in terms of the author—did the author experience the event he's writing about or write with first-hand knowledge of research he conducted?
Keywords
are the main ideas in your research question or thesis statement, and these are the words that you will use to search for information on your topic.
Intellectual property rights
are the rights of a creator to control the works he or she has created. These can be books, articles, music, software, paintings, games, plays, photographs, and movies.
Article Databases are . . .
available only to individuals affiliated with the university, unlike the library catalog, which can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
General Databases
cover a wide range of subjects. Ex: Academic Search Premier
Information Literacy (According to the ACRL)
emphasize flexibility, individual growth, critical self-reflection, and collaboration. a "set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning".
Evaluate
evaluate the quality of that information. Sometimes when you get to this stage, you might realize that the information you found is not adequate. Perhaps the sources are not in agreement, or maybe you question their credibility. In this case, you'll go back to search and locate additional sources
primary sources
first-hand accounts or reports written by the person or people who experienced the event. A primary research article will be one in which the authors of the article are the same people who conducted the research, analyzed the results, formed some conclusions, and reported their findings and methodology in the article. Primary sources may also include such things as diaries and journals, autobiographies, memos, photographs, and eyewitness newspaper articles written at the time of the reported event.
Penalties for cheating range . . .
from failing a test or assignment, to receiving an E for the class, to expulsion from the university.
Documenting
give credit to the sources by documenting them with proper citations.
Some Databases will . . .
have other types of information in addition to periodical articles. For example, some include entries from reference books (e.g., dictionaries and encyclopedias), collections of images, pamphlets or brochures, or specific reports, such as SEC filings or papers presented at conferences.
investigating
involves identifying what it is you need to research, understanding the parameters of your assignment, and stating your research need as either a focused research question or thesis statement.
Fair use
is a limitation on the copyright holder's rights. It is the fair use doctrine that allows you to quote information, use pictures, etc.
Falsification/misrepresentation:
is giving information that is false in some way. EX: Incorrect citing of research sources is a common example of accidental falsification.
Locating
locating the information that you've identified using your search tools in libraries or on the Web. You will use a variety of library services and collections to help you find your sources. If, after looking them over, you decide that you still need more information (or different information), you'll search again to find other sources.
Peer-Reviewed
means 2-3 specialists in the field have approved the publication. Peer reviewed (or refereed) is found in scholarly sources.
Editted
means at least one other person looked at the information and okayed it. Editing is mostly found in popular sources.
Truncate
means to 'chop off'. When you truncate, you chop off the end of a word so the computer can search for multiple endings. Truncation is a great way to broaden your search and pick up more results
Google Scholar CHART
o ACCESS: Anyone with internet connection can access, but users affiliated with universities may be able to access more full text. o FOCUS: Focus is on scholarly sources like journal articles, especially in science and technology, but is not the best source for popular information. o SEARCH OPTIONS: Basic keyword/phrase searching with few advanced search features. o RESULTS: Sorted by relevance, which may pull up older results first. o PRINTING/EMAILING/DOWNLOADING: Not available. o SOURCES: Full list is not provided by Google, but does include scholarly journal publishers and universities. o FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Some documents are freely available to anyone, some require affiliation with a university, and some are not available without payment Note: Look for Full-Text @ My Library links on Google Scholar. These are already set up on campus. To set up at home, see directions by clicking the Google Scholar link on the library's home page. o ARTICLE AUTHORITY: Groups different versions of the same article together, including versions written prior to publication.
Library Article Databases CHART
o ACCESS: Users must be affiliated with an academic or public library to access. o FOCUS: Provide both scholarly and popular sources of information on a wide variety of topics. o SEARCH OPTIONS: Databases allow more sophisticated search options for customized searches and more relevant results based on available limits. o RESULTS: Can be sorted several different ways. o PRINTING/EMAILING/DOWNLOADING: Available. o SOURCES: Each article database has a specific source list. o FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Many databases provide full text, and interlibrary loan service can obtain those items not available in full text at the library or online. o ARTICLE AUTHORITY: Provides the official published version of the article.
Most journals in the Stewart library can . . .
only be accessed through online databases.
Google Scholar includes scholarly materials such as . . .
preprints, theses, books, technical reports, etc. These materials come from a variety of different sources, including academic publishers, professional societies, and universities.
If I'm not on campus and am going to use a database I will be . . .
prompted to put in my Weber Username and Password
Secondary sources
review and summarize the research conducted by others. Articles in which the authors study and analyze past events they did not experience themselves are also considered to be secondary sources. Other examples of secondary sources include encyclopedia articles, biographies written by someone other than the subject, and textbooks.
Utah's Online Library provides . . .
statewide access to newspaper, magazine, professional journal articles, encyclopedias, video, photographs, maps, charts, and graphics. It serves Utah's public schools and academic institutions, as well as patrons of public libraries.
Article Database
takes information from periodicals (magazines, newspapers, and journals) and makes it searchable.
using quotation marks around phrases,
the computer looks only for the phrase and not for the words separately.
Public Domain
the work is no longer protected by copyright, but you must still give credit for public domain works or you are guilty of plagiarism.
When articles are NOT available in full text via Google Scholar . . .
they can be obtained through Interlibrary Loan instead of paying a publisher.
Utilizing
utilizing the information for a specific purpose. This might be a paper, speech, presentation, or research project. Here, you will communicate what you found to a particular audience. Even at this stage, as you begin synthesizing what you found and begin writing, you may see the need to find additional information to fill in missing pieces, which will require you to search, locate, evaluate, and document additional sources.
Examples of cheating:
• Copying homework, a test, or an assignment from another student • Plagiarizing by downloading information or entire papers from the Internet • Cell phone cheating by text-messaging answers to other students, taking a picture of the test and e-mailing it to another student, or downloading information from the Internet 3 • Getting test questions, answers, or a paper from a student in a previous period or school year • Bringing a permitted graphing calculator into a test loaded with answer material which was previously input into the computer portion of the calculator • Instant Messaging while completing homework to divide the work amongst several classmates
there are a few things that are important to remember when using truncation:
• Different databases use different truncation symbols. Most use an asterisk (*), but a few use exclamation points, question marks, and dollar signs. Use the database help screens to determine which symbols are appropriate. * ! ? $ • Truncation only picks up word ENDINGS, NOT SYNONYMS. For example, truncating after the 'n' in science (scien*) will find science, sciences, and scientific, but it will NOT find the words biology, chemistry, or astronomy. • Be careful where you place the truncation symbol. You don't want to overtruncate (or cut too much) and you also don't want to undertruncate (cut too little).
To assess relevancy, ask yourself the following questions:
• Is the information related to your topic? If you are writing a paper on ballet, an article on ballroom dancing won't be useful. • Is there enough information? With very rare exceptions (e.g., statistics or specific facts), you need at least 2-3 paragraphs of information for the source to be useful. • How will you use the information? Will you use it to support your research question? As an example? • Is it the right kind of information? If you are required to use scholarly articles, then articles from magazines and newspapers won't work, and neither will books.
What CAN you do with Fair Use?
• Quote brief passages from a book, article or website if you give proper credit • Copy a map or chart into a research paper if you give proper credit • Use a small snip of music if you give proper credit • Use an image if you give proper credit • Use downloads and software that are explicitly labeled by the creator as free to use. • Make copies for your own use (e.g., ripping music from legally purchased CDs or music downloads to another format such as MP3s, burning a "mix" CD from music that you legally own, or printing/downloading/photocopying a journal article for your own use.)
What CAN'T you do with Fair Use
• Sharing copyrighted files (unless you have explicit permission, preferably written and signed, from the owner of the material) • Posting copyrighted material on a website without permission • Selling (most commercial uses of copyrighted material require special licenses from the copyright owner)
Examples of Falsification
• You need at least one book and one article for your paper. You can't find a book that looks good, so you make up a title and cite it in your reference list. Your instructor verifies your citations and fails you for the assignment. • You are doing an experiment and your results don't turn out the way you thought they would so you make up results that support the hypothesis. • You are doing an experiment but don't have time to get the results so you ask a classmate who did a similar experiment if you can use their results. • You think a quote came from one source but it really came from another and you accidentally cite it wrong. • You combine perfectly cited sources with copied text from sources that you don't cite. • You make up a quote by an author that sounds like it could have come from the author of a source because it better supports your thesis. • You accidentally misinterpret the argument of a source and cite that argument as what the author said.
Here's an example of how truncation works in a database:
• You search for the word advertisement and retrieve 23 results. All of these have the word advertisement in them. • You truncate the term like this: advertis* You retrieve 850 results showing variants after the 's', such as ◊ advertisE ◊ advertisED ◊ advertisER ◊ advertisES ◊ advertisING ◊ advertisEMENT ◊ advertisEMENTS
Information may be considered "high quality" if it meets all or most of the following criteria:
• relevance ** • accuracy/credibility of the content • author credibility • source credibility • references/documentation • objectivity or bias • currency