McNair Scholars: Information Literacy Modules

Given a research assignment and topic, students will be able to select the appropriate type of information source based on knowledge of the information cycle

Students will be able to plan a search strategy using subject databases including basic broadening and narrowing techniques, such as:
- identifying keyword terms,
- using AND and OR,
- and using synonyms and related terms.

Using advanced search strategies in a library database, students will demonstrate how to focus an information search by applying strategies that include:
- exact phrases,
- subject terms,
- combining subject and keyword terms,
- and truncation.

Students will be able to demonstrate how to maximize Google Scholar searches using:
- Scholar Preferences,
- Advanced Scholar Search options, and
- Google Scholar results links.

Students will be able to classify an original research study using the following criteria:
- structure of a study,
- quality of the references,
- author's credentials,
- publishing or distribution status,
- and sponsoring organization.

Students will be able to analyze the steps used in conducting a literature review that include:
- investigating topics,
- identifying effective search terms,
- searching library catalogs,
- searching library databases,
- identifying open web sources, and
- selecting appropriate sources.

Students will be able to manage references for academic assignments using the following RefWorks features:
- Create & Organize Folders
- Export citations from library resources
- Format bibliographies and in-text citations with Write-N-Cite

Given examples of the following sources, students will be able to accurately demonstrate how to use reference entries and parenthetical citations based on styles found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (2010):
- books,
- articles from print journals,
- articles from electronic journals, and
- information found on web pages.

Given examples that include the following, students will be able to identify what constitutes plagiarism in their academic work and how to avoid the common causes of plagiarism when they use:
- direct quotes,
- paraphrased text,
- or summarized text.