INFS 1020 - Research Skills and Information Literacy

Credits: 1
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This course introduces students to effective techniques for locating, evaluating, using, and citing information sources. Students have the option of focusing on research needed for another course or choosing an area of personal interest to research. Coursework includes the use of library and free Web information sources.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into ENGL 0950  and RDNG 0950  or above OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher OR course placement into ESOL 0051  and ESOL 0052  and ESOL 1033  OR completion of ESOL 0041  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0042  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0043  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: Word processing skills or completion of OFFT 1001.

Major Content

1. Information in society - types, production, and organization

2. Information literacy - its definition and value

3. Finding a topic/Crafting the research question

4. Effective searching

   1. Library databases

   2. Library catalog

   3. Web

5. Evaluating information

6. Using information

   1. Plagiarism

   2. Copyright/fair use

   3. Citing sources/ bibliographies

1. describe a variety of information types, their production, and organization.

2. define information literacy and describe its value.

3. define a topic and research question of academic or personal value.

4. design search strategies to locate library and free Web information sources.

5. evaluate search strategies to locate library and free Web information sources.

6. critically evaluate information sources.

7. demonstrate the ability to use information effectively to meet an academic or personal need.

8. explain the concepts of plagiarism, copyright, and fair use.

9. cite sources accurately.

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