IRIS 42: Information and Research Instruction Suite for two-year colleges
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Learning Outcomes

What are Learning Outcomes?

The IRIS42 modules are guided by the principles of the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education. Whereas these standards provide the depth to satisfy the needs of higher education students through post-doctorate, the IRIS modules are built on a modified version that addresses the specific needs of students in two-year institutions.

Standard One: The information literate student determines the nature and extent of the information needed

ACRL Outcomes & Indicators

Module

1.1 Identifies a research topic or other information need

1.2 Develops a thesis statement and formulates questions based on the information need

1.3 Explores general information sources to increase familiarity with the topic

1.4 Identifies key concepts and terms that describe the information need

1.5 Knows how information is formally and informally produced, organized, and disseminated

1.6 Identifies the purpose and audience of potential resources (e.g., popular vs. scholarly, current vs. historical)

1.7 Differentiates between primary and secondary sources, recognizing how their use and importance vary with each discipline

1.8 Defines a realistic overall plan and timeline to acquire the needed information

 

Information Types

Subject Encyclopedias

Books and e-books

Magazines/Journals

Primary/Secondary

Deep/Invisible Web

World Wide Web

 

Standard Two:
The information literate student accesses needed information effectively and efficiently

ACRL Outcomes & Indicators

Module

2.1 Develops a research plan appropriate to the investigative method

2.2 Identifies keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed

2.3 Selects controlled vocabulary specific to the discipline or information retrieval source

2.4 Constructs a search strategy using appropriate commands for the information retrieval system selected (e.g., Boolean operators, truncation, and proximity for search engines; internal organizers such as indexes for books)

2.5 Implements the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages, protocols, and search parameters

2.6 Selects appropriate search system(s) to retrieve information in a variety of formats

2.7 Uses various classification schemes and other systems (e.g., call number systems or indexes) to locate information resources within the library or to identify specific sites for physical exploration

2.8 Uses specialized online or in person services available at the institution to retrieve information

2.9 Selects among various technologies the most appropriate one for the task of extracting the needed information (e.g., copy/paste software functions, photocopier, scanner, audio/visual equipment, or exploratory instruments)

2.10 Creates a system for organizing the information

2.11 Differentiates between the types of sources cited and understands the elements and correct syntax of a citation for a wide range of resources

2.12 Records citation information for future reference

Research Team

Boolean Operators

Periodical Indexes

Library Catalogs

Search Strategies

Call Numbers

Web Search Tools

Google Books

Google Search Tips

Wikipedia

 

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

ACRL Outcomes & Indicators

Module

3.1 Examines and compares information from various sources in order to evaluate reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view or bias

3.2 Investigates differing viewpoints encountered in the literature

Evaluating Information:

 

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

ACRL Outcomes & Indicators

Module

4.1 Organizes the content in a manner that supports the purposes and format of the product or performance (e.g. outlines, drafts, storyboards)


Annotated Bibliography (future release)

 

Standard Five
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.

ACRL Outcomes & Indicators

Module

5.1 Identifies and discusses issues related to privacy and security in both the print and electronic environments

5.2 Identifies and discusses issues related to free vs. fee-based access to information

5.3 Identifies and discusses issues related to censorship and freedom of speech

5.4 Demonstrates an understanding of intellectual property, copyright, and fair use of copyrighted material

5.5 Follows laws, regulations, institutional policies, and etiquette related to the access and use of information resources.

5.6 Legally obtains, stores, and disseminates text, data, images, or sounds

5.7 Demonstrates an understanding of what constitutes plagiarism and does not represent work attributable to others as his/her own

5.8 Selects an appropriate documentation style and uses it consistently to cite sources

5.9 Posts permission granted notices, as needed, for copyrighted material

Plagiarism: