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Information Literacy at CSM Library

CSM Library Information Literacy Tutorial

The CSM Library Information Literacy Tutorial is a non-graded, self-paced Canvas course created, updated, and managed by CSM Librarians for ENGL100 and 105 students. The tutorial is based on the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy (see below) and prepares students to be information literate. Topics in the tutorial include (but are not limited to):

  • Creating a Research Plan
  • Research Strategies and Strategic Searching
  • Refining Search Scopes and Narrowing your Topic
  • Background Research vs. In-depth Research
  • Using Wikipedia and Google as Research Tools
  • Types of Sources: Scholarly, Traditional, Non-traditional, and Everyday
  • Identifying Your Information Need and Locating Appropriate Sources
  • Search and Exploration Strategies
  • Evaluating Sources, Evaluation Strategies
  • Identifying Misinformation and Recognizing Bias
  • Lateral Reading and Website Evaluation
  • The Scholarly Conversation
  • Citing Sources and Plagiarism

CSM Info Lit Tutorial Outline

The following is a detailed outline of the CSM Information Literacy Tutorial

  1. Part 1: Getting Started with Research
    • Why Information Literacy Matters
    • Life in the Information Age
    • What is Scholarly Conversation?
    • How Does Scholarly Conversation Work?
    • Find Your Voice  
  2. Part 2: Research Strategies
    • Creating a Research Plan
    • Pre-Research
    • In-Depth Research, Outlining, and Writing
    • Pre-Research Strategies
    • Be strategic about early Search Terms
    • Refining Your Search Scope
    • How to Narrow Your Topic
    • Background Research vs. In-Depth Research
    • Locating Useful Sources for Background Research
    • Refine Your Paper Topic
    • Getting Started with Wikipedia/Google
    • Transitioning from Google/Wikipedia to Databases  
  3. Part 3: Sources of Information
    • Types of Sources
    • Traditional Scholarly Sources
    • Non-Traditional Research Sources
    • Everyday Sources
    • Identifying Your Information Need
    • Identifying the Appropriate Sources
    • Types of Sources: Background
    • Types of Sources: In-Depth
    • The Open and Hidden Web
    • Locating Reliable Sources for Your Information Need
    • Locating Reliable Sources for Your Information Need: Bias
    • Locating Reliable Sources for Your Information Need: Considerations  
  4. Part 4: Searching for Information
    • The Searching Mindset
    • Exploration Strategies
    • Choosing a Database
    • What are Keywords?
    • Vocabulary Important Concepts
    • Searching with Keywords
    • Try Synonyms
    • Where To Find Additional Keywords
    • Refining Search Results  
  5. Part 5: Evaluating Information
    • Evaluating Sources
    • Identifying Misinformation
    • News Evaluation Strategies
    • The Importance of Effective Website Evaluation
    • Using Lateral Reading
    • Best Practices for Lateral Reading
    • Differentiating Lateral Reading From Other Evaluation Techniques  
  6. Part 6: Citing Sources
    • Academic Integrity
    • Plagiarism
    • Why Citing Sources is Important
    • Scholarship as a Conversation
    • How Do You Cite?
    • MLA 8th Edition Citation Style
    • MLA In-Text Citations
    • Incorporating In-Text Citations
    • Works Cited Page