What will you learn?

Objectives:

After completing the five steps of this course, you will be able to:

define your need for information

find the correct information

evaluate the information found

understand the legal and ethical implications when using information

communicate the information effectively

STEP 1:

After completing step 1, you will be able to:

define your need for information,

think critically about your topic and need,

read about your topic and start making notes,

define keywords by:

drawing a mind map,

selecting broader and narrower subject terms,

identifying different spellings or words

understand that the financial cost of information is an important issue.

STEP 2:

After completing step 2, you will be able to:

know where to find the correct information,

understand the difference between information finding tools and information sources,

recognise and use different information sources

apply the following searching techniques:

boolean logic

truncation/wildcards

phrase searching

STEP 3:

After completing step 3, you will be able to:

evaluate information critically by looking at:

fact vs opinion

the authority of the information

the publishing body

the currency of the information

understand the difference between popular and academic periodicals

understand primary and secondary sources

apply critical reading skills

eliminate irrelevant information

STEP 4:

After completing step 4, you will be able to:

access and use information ethically and legally by:

understanding plagiarism and

applying copyright law

STEP 5:

After completing step 5, you will be able to:

write an assignment (including correct referencing)

give a presentation with slides or transparencies

design a poster

design a brochure

design a display

understand e-communication

apply correct writing styles