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Information Literacy Outcomes

These outcomes are the skills and knowledge expected upon completion of each TALON module.

Outcomes for Module 1: Library Virtual Tour

  1. Is familiar with Library collections and locations.
  2. Knows which service points are available and the assistance that is provided at each.

Outcomes for Module 2 : Topic Development and Source Selection

  1. Determines what information is needed. (Selects a research topic.)
  2. Identifies the important concepts, subjects, and keywords of the research topic.
  3. Demonstrates an understanding of the differences between general and subject specific sources and when to use each.
  4. Understands that various types of information (e.g. popular/scholarly, primary/secondary) are suitable for different research needs.
  5. Knows that books, reference materials, periodicals, and websites are the four main types of materials in which information is located.

Outcomes for Module 3: Background Information

  1. Identifies and selects appropriate reference resources for locating information on a topic.
  2. Understands the purpose of different types of reference sources and when to use each. For example, one would consult a dictionary for word definitions, an almanac for facts and statistics, or an atlas for map information.
  3. Knows how to locate reference materials using an online catalog, a subject research guide, or by browsing a selected subject area for print reference sources.

Outcomes for Module 4: Performing Effective Searches in Electronic Databases

  1. Understands the structure and purpose of databases.
  2. Can effectively and efficiently search databases.

Outcomes for Module 5: Using the Library Catalog

  1. Understands the purpose of a library catalog and recognizes what a catalog does and does not include.
  2. Comprehends and uses access points to search the catalog.
  3. Interprets call numbers and the various fields of catalog records.
  4. Can locate materials in Simpson Library.
  5. Realizes that many libraries' catalogs are accessible on the Internet.

Outcomes for Module 6: Finding Periodical Articles

  1. Identifies the several types of periodicals.
  2. Understands the purpose of periodicals and how they are invaluable to researchers.
  3. Recognizes the differences between popular magazines and scholarly journals.
  4. Can find periodical articles by using indexes and databases and locate the articles in Simpson Library.
  5. Understands the differences between bibliographic, abstract, and full-text databases.
  6. Can select appropriate indexes or databases, depending upon research needs.

Outcomes for Module 7: Locating Information on the Internet and World Wide Web

  1. Understands what the Internet is and its various functions.
  2. Uses search tools such as directories, virtual libraries, and search engines to locate information on the Internet.
  3. Can select, evaluate, and manage information found on the Internet.

Outcomes for Module 8: Use of Information

  1. Critically evaluates information sources by checking their authority, currency, accuracy,
    documentation, scope, presentation, and objectivity.
  2. Understands the concepts of intellectual property, copyright, public domain, and fair use.
  3. Realizes that presenting or copying someone else's original work as your own constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is ethically and legally wrong.
  4. Selects an appropriate citation style and organizes the citation's elements in the appropriate format (MLA, APA, or Chicago/Turabian).

Concept & Design by Laurie Preston
Content Authored by
Laurie Preston & Jack Bales
Reviewed/Updated
Simpson Library
University of Mary Washington
1801 College Avenue
Fredericksburg, VA 22401-4664
540-654-1125