Understanding that research is a NON-linear process that requires critical thinking and evaluation of a range of information sources and the flexibility to change paths as understanding and knowledge develop.
Practices: Learners who are developing their information literate abilities:
- determine the initial scope of the task required to meet their information needs;
- identify interested parties, such as scholars, organizations, governments, and industries, who might produce information about a topic and then determine how to access that information;
- utilize divergent (e.g., brainstorming) and convergent (e.g., selecting the best source) thinking when searching;
- match information needs and search strategies to appropriate search tools; • design and refine needs and search strategies as necessary, based on search results;
- understand how information systems (i.e., collections of recorded information) are organized in order to access relevant information;
- use different types of searching language (e.g., controlled vocabulary, keywords, natural language) appropriately;
- manage searching processes and results effectively.
Dispositions: Learners who are developing their information literate abilities
- exhibit mental flexibility and creativity;
- understand that first attempts at searching do not always produce adequate results;
- realize that information sources vary greatly in content and format and have varying relevance and value, depending on the needs and nature of the search;
- seek guidance from experts, such as librarians, researchers, and professionals;
- recognize the value of browsing and other serendipitous methods of information gathering;
- persist in the face of search challenges, and know when they have enough information to complete the information task
From the (ACRL Information Literacy Framework,2015, p.9)
