Catalog Description

Hours: 18 lecture
Description: Development of information literacy skills for academic and personal research. Emphasis on identifying, locating, evaluating and using information resources. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Use efficient and effective search strategies to access information.
  • CSLO #2: Locate information in a variety of sources.
  • CSLO #3: Distinguish between different information source types.
  • CSLO #4: Critically evaluate the quality of sources by looking at authority, currency, relevancy, accuracy and purpose.
  • CSLO #5: Recognize several ethical and legal issues related to the use of information.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

18

Outside of Class Hours

36

Total Student Learning Hours

54

Course Objectives

1. Determine nature and extent of information needed based on assignment requirements
2. Use reference sources to gather background information
3. Identify different types of information sources such as books, eBooks, periodicals, videos
4. Use the library catalog to locate books
5. Use Academic Search Premier or other library database to find periodicals
6. Distinguish between popular and scholarly sources
7. Identify relevant keywords for topic
8. Describe the difference between keyword and subject searching in databases
9. Use limiters in Discover! to modify search results
10. Use database advanced search screen to focus and limit search results
11. Access and email full text resources through Discover!
12. Describe the use of interlibrary loan services for materials not available through the local library
13. Evaluate a web site based on the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) or other evaluation criteria
14. Describe plagiarism and give a real-life example
15. Identify elements of a citation
16. Use MLA, APA or other citation style to create annotated bibliography

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: 1. What questions or avenues of research do these prompts provoke? Hint: You are not answering the questions. You are asking further questions. Be thorough, but you are not required to exhaust all possibilities. And you have some freedom here. Comment on 2 other student responses. In your comments, try to build out even further--add to them--their suggested research avenues. · What was the economic impact of the railroads on 19th century United States? · How has technology affected our levels of connectedness to others?
          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Multiple choice quizzes, based on readings, lectures, videos. Example: In the databases (do a Discover search), look up this article: “My Tree Stays Tree: Sylvia Plath and Ovid’s Daphne.” Who is the author? a. Ranger, Holly b. Johns, Kevin c. Dreyer, Lisa d. Stephens, Maria
          • Problem Solving Examinations
            • Example: After an internet vs. database lesson, students will be asked to identify characteristics of specific search results: Do a Google search and a Discover search (now that you know how) for the following phrases: 1. "female serial killers" 2. "weight loss" Put the words in quotes so the results reflect this exact phrase. What do you notice about the results? Be specific. Say something as it relates to the kinds of assignments you might expect from an instructor. The results may be helpful or not helpful in different ways. Are there any ethical concerns? Trust concerns? Other comments?
          • Projects
            • Example: As a final project, students will complete a scavenger hunt. Through a systematic arrangement of tasks, which will include searching, analyzing, readings, comparing, formatting, this will demonstrate the acquisition of specific course skills and knowledge.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Lecture/Discussion
          • Distance Learning

          Lecture:

          1. Online lecture and video tutorial on using Discover to search for information in a variety of formats. Special emphasis on identifying and limiting by source types. Students will gain searching skills and demonstrate understanding by doing a guided exercise on searching in Discover. Students will also engage with and reflect on the intellectual aspects of knowledge acquisition and its use.

          Distance Learning

          1. Students will read online lectures and view videos about plagiarism and then discuss them with other students. Students will exchange perspectives on the discussion board. This will widen their appreciation for the complexities of interpretations, which, in turn, will be furthered by the instructor.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read chapter on,"Plan:Developing Research Strategies" in the course textbook and be prepared to discuss. 2. Use Discover to locate and read the articles "Student Attitudes Toward Concealed Handguns on Campus at 2 Universities" and "When College Students Pack Heat, the Danger Grows." Use the provided worksheet to analyze both articles looking for purpose, bias and authority.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          In a discussion post, describe how you determine the credibility of a source.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          1. Prepare an annotated bibliography of 10 sources (minimum of 3 different source types) on a chosen topic.

          Required Materials

          • Introduction to College Research
            • Author: Walter D. Butler, et al.
            • Publisher: Pressbooks
            • Publication Date: 2021
            • Text Edition: 1
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER: Yes
          • Information Literacy: Basic Research Skills
            • Author: Carol M. Withers
            • Publisher: San Diego City College
            • Publication Date: 2019
            • Text Edition: 1
            • Classic Textbook?: No
            • OER Link:
            • OER: Yes

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.