Decision Making


 

Decision Making:

 

1. 4. The information literate student reevaluates the nature and extent of the information need.

 

a.  Reviews the initial information need to clarify, revise, or refine the question.

 

Librarians assist students in refining their research based on the amount and type of information found or not found.

 

Examples:

Students can be directed to use the tools in a database such as EBSCO (thesaurus, subject major headings, etc.) to revise their search when they are not able to find sufficient information.

 

          Students can be directed to  use limiters in databases (full text, peer-review, dates, document type, etc.) when they need to narrow searches without

          refining search terms.

 

As students in ENG122 review issues surrounding the poem "Dulce Et Decorum Est," they learn about WWI and often realize that they need to find background information on the time periodin order to understandthe poem.  

 

b.  Describes criteria used to make information decisions and choices

 

Librarians provide criteria to assist students in evaluating information.

 

Examples: 

In a library instruction session, students are provided with an article and asked to evaluate it according to currency, authority, accuracy, relevance, and purpose.

 

The Library tutorial is always available to students at all locations; it was developed as a tool to support students' understanding of the research process, including how to determine seqarch criteria based on the assignment details provided by the teaching faculty.

 

3.7   The information literate student determines whether the initial query should be revised.       

 

b.  Reviews search strategy and incorporates additional concepts as necessary

 

Librarians demonstrate how searches may be limited or expanded by modifying search terminology or logic.

 

Examples:

In a library instruction session, the librarian guides students to use database features such as the advanced search option, subjects, and publication type.

 

c.  Reviews information retrieval sources used and expands to include others as needed

 

Librarians assist students in locating sources connected to the information at hand.

 

Examples:

In librarian instruction sessions, students are directed to the footnotes, bibliographies and online links from retrieved items to locate additional sources.