What will you learn?

Objectives:

After completing the five steps of this course, you will be able to:

recognise when you need information

find the correct information

evaluate the information found

understand the legal implications when using information

communicate the information effectively

STEP 1:

After completing step 1, you will be able to:

recognise your need for information,

critically think about your topic and need,

read about your topic and start making notes,

defining keywords by:

drawing a mind map,

select broader and narrower subject terms,

identify different spellings or words.

understand that the financial cost of information is an important issue,

apply the following searching tools:

boolean logic

truncation

phrase searching

STEP 2:

After completing step 2, you will be able to:

know where to find the correct information,

understand the difference between information finding tools and information sources,

recognise and use different information sources.

STEP 3:

After completing step 3, you will be able to:

critically evaluate information by looking at:

fact vs opinion

authority of the information

the publishing body

currency of the information

understand the difference between popular and academic periodicals

understand primary and secondary sources

apply critical reading skills

be able to eliminate irrelevant information

STEP 4:

After completing step 4, you will be able to:

legally use the information found by:

understanding plagiarism and

applying copyright law

STEP 5:

After completing step 5, you will be able to:

write an assignment (including correct referencing)

give a presentation with slides or transparencies

design a poster

design a brochure

design a display

understand e-communication

applying correct writing styles