II.  Reaction — Information Literacy Definitions & Standards

A.  Definition:

"Information literacy has four components: (1) an attitude that appreciates the value and power of information, (2) an awareness of the diversity of information forms and formats, (3) an understanding that information is not necessarily knowledge until it has been analyzed, questioned, and integrated into the existing body of knowledge, and (4) a process to access and assess information critically and effectively."

McHenry, Stewart, and Wu, "Teaching resource-based Learning and Diversity," New Directions for Higher Education, no78 (Summer 1992), pp. 55-56.
 

B.  Standards:

Loosely excerpted from:
Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education
Approved by: ACRL Board, January 18, 2000.

1)    The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed.

defines and articulates the need for information.
    - can identify a research topic
    - identifies key concepts

realizes there is a variety of types and formats of information.
    - primary vs. secondary sources
    - informal vs. formal sources

is aware that there may be cost or investment
    - realizes that information may not be locally held or otherwise readily available.
    - use Interlibrary Loan?
    - learn a foreign language or statistical methods skill?

2)    The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently.

is aware of and selects appropriate investigative methods.
    - lab experiment, simulation model, interviews, literature database?
    - contacts trade or professional associations, experts or practitioners

uses effectively designed search strategies.
    - keywords, synonyms, controlled vocabulary
    - Boolean logic (AND, OR, NOT logical operators), truncation (wildcards), proximity

refines the search strategy if necessary.
 

3)   The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.

is able to summarize the main ideas from the information gathered.
    - thesis of works?
    - paraphrase main ideas
    - select appropriate passages for quotation.

critically evaluates both the information and its sources.
    - verify factual information through alternative sources
    - assess reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness
    - identifies prejudice, bias, deception, or manipulation
    - quality of the piece's logic

compares new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added or contradictions of the information.
    - contradict or verify earlier work?

determines whether the new knowledge has an impact on the individual's value system?
    - my experience Gertrude Himmelfarb

validates understanding and interpretation of the information through discourse with other individuals.
    - listservs, class discussion, electronic bulletin boards, etc.
 

4)    The information literate student, individually or as a member of a group, uses information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose.

effective planning and creation of a particular product or performance.
    - well thought outlines, story books, drafts

The information literate student revises the development process for the product or performance.

The information literate student communicates the product or performance effectively to others.
 

5)    The information literate student understands many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and accesses and uses information ethically and legally.

The information literate student understands many of the ethical, legal and socio-economic issues surrounding information and information technology.

The information literate student follows laws, regulations, institutional policies, and etiquette related to the access and use of information resources.

The information literate student acknowledges the use of information sources in communicating the product or performance.

From ACRL Web site (January 2000)