The Information Process

Finding, Collecting, and Using Information
Identifying and Locating Relevant Information
Identify Relevant Material
Where do you start looking?
What do you start searching for?
Locating Relevant Information
Think Critically About the Information Collected
Thinking critically involves:

* Distinguishing fact from opinion
* Recognizing bias and balance
* Being aware of the scope or censorship in an information source
* Understanding the authority or research on which the information is based
* Considering the currency of the information (when was it written - is it still relevant?)
* Considering the treatment. Is the information appropriate (language, style, level of complexity) for the audience you are addressing?
* Synthesizing and integrating the information you have read: bringing it all together, and relating what you have learnt to what you already knew.
Focusing the Information Search
Use Information to Help Focus the Search and to Find Further Information

Integrating Information Literacy into the Curriculum

Ideally, information literacy skills will be integrated into the curriculum across all disciplines. When theoretical concepts related to the development critical thinking and information literacy skills are implemented within the context of meaningful practice, the result is authentic learning that builds a foundation for lifelong, independent learning related to finding, using, and evaluating information tools, formats, sources, and products.