ACRL

An information literate individual is able to:

Middle States

An information literate student:

Determine the extent of information needed

ZONE 1

Thinks about framing the research question so that it is appropriate for the

breadth and depth required for the research project, in the context of available

resources and time for research

Asks questions for clarification after receiving an assignment

Knows how to seek help from faculty members, reference librarians, and others

outside the institution

Access the needed information effectively and efficiently

ZONE 2

Knows where to start looking for information, is aware of a broad range of

information sources (e.g., electronic and print periodicals, chapters in books,

government documents, archival material, and microfilm), and can distinguish

among the various types of resources (e.g., scholarly work, informed opinions of

practitioners, and trade literature)

Is familiar with major reference collections in his or her discipline and selects

from among them appropriately

Conducts electronic database searches effectively (e.g., knows how to use

quotation marks, Boolean operators such as or/and/not, and other technical

strategies)

Knows how to use discipline-specific strategies for field searches, such as

archaeological recovery

Evaluate information and its sources critically

  ZONE 3

Knows how to evaluate information sources

Incorporate selected information into one’s knowledge base

ZONE 4

Is able to select key points from retrieved information and summarize them,

rather than simply repeating material from research

Evaluates and explains or resolves contradictory information;

Is able to develop new insights or theories, or discover previously unknown facts,

based on material he or she already knew and the new information

Recognizes that a set of specific information literacy skills is transferrable and can

be applied throughout life, for both professional and personal learning objectives

Use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose

ZONE 5

Confidently explores the recursive nature of the information literacy process

to conduct research

Uses high-quality content and reflects evaluative thinking in the context of the

student’s academic level and discipline, as evidenced during classroom

discussions, when writing papers, creating displays, or when speaking or

performing publicly

Understand the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally

ZONE 6

Understands what plagiarism is and some of the complexities of copyright law,

the ethical use of information, intellectual property, etc.

Has learned how to cite material appropriately and develop a bibliography

p. 8