COURSE OUTLINE FOR MODULE 2: INFORMATION SEARCHING TECHNIQUES
Methods of Instructions: Lecturers, demonstrations, practical sessions, group assignments and seminars
Methods of Evaluation: Assessment will be done through written tests and examinations
Module Content
1. Introduction to information literacy
- Define data and information concepts
- Define and articulate the need for information (concept mapping and other techniques, formulating an effective research question, using general and subject encyclopedias)
- Identify potential sources of information (i.e. primary, secondary, tertiary, reference, and in-house literature)and their availability at the library
- Differentiate between free web, invisible web, and fee-based e-resources
2. Search and retrieve information
- Overview of library services, library website and library guides on e-resources
- Construct and implement searching techniques: use googlelogy, boolean operators, phrase, wildcards, field searching
- Search library catalogue and other academic databases (such as, HINARI, CABI)
- Open access journals and repository: search free and/or open access e-resources including e-journals and e-books
- Other different publishing models that help make content more widely available
3. Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
- Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
- Formulate a well-built clinical question including types of questions and studies
- EBP searching strategies that could improve PubMed retrieval, and other EBP resources, such as Cochrane and Trip
4. Evaluate information and its sources critically
- Evaluate information and its sources based on pre-scribed criteria, such as reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness and point of view or bias
- Reviews information retrieval sources used and expand to include others
5. Legal and ethical use of learning and scholarly information resources
- Citations and reference overview, and the standard international referencing (e.g. APA)
- Intellectual property rights issues in scholarly information, information policy and privacy
- Educational copyright and fair use principles in e-learning environments
Reference Materials
Anderson, T. & Elloumi, F.,Theory and practice of online learning. Athabasca University,Athabasca
Cox, C.N. & Lindsay, E.B. , Information literacy instruction handbook.: ACRL, Chicago
Devine, J. & Egger-Sider, F., Going beyond google: the invisible web in learning and teaching, Facet, London
Godwin, P. & Parker, J.,Information literacy meets Web 2.0. : Facet, London.
Informing Science Institute. Advanced principles of effective e-learning. Informing Science Press, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Jones, B. L., Web 2.0 heroes. Wiley Publishing Inc, New York
Milam, P. S.,InfoQuest: A new twist on information literacy. Linworth,Worthington
Richardson, W., Blogs, wikis, podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Corwin Press, New York
Rosenberg, M. J., E-learning: strategies for delivering knowledge in the digital age.McGraw-Hill, New York
Whitworth, A.,Information obesity. Chandos, Oxford