San Antonio, TX | March 2004 | T. Duckart

1. Defines and articulates the need for information. Outcomes include:
   1. Conferring with instructors and participates in class discussions, peer workgroups, and electronic discussions to identify a research topic, or other information need
   2. Developing a thesis statement and formulating questions based on the information need
   3. Exploring general information sources to increase familiarity with the topic
   4. Defining or modifying the information need to achieve a manageable focus
   5. Identifying key concepts and terms that describe the information need
   6. Recognizing that existing information can be combined with original thought, experimentation, and/or analysis to produce new information
2. Identifies a variety of types and formats of potential sources for information. Outcomes include:
   1. Knowing how information is formally and informally produced, organized, and disseminated
   2. Recognizing that knowledge can be organized into disciplines that influence the way information is accessed
   3. Identifying the value and differences of potential resources in a variety of formats (e.g., multimedia, database, website, data set, audio/visual, book)
   4. Identifying the purpose and audience of potential resources (e.g., popular vs. scholarly, current vs. historical)
   5. Differentiating between primary and secondary sources, recognizing how their use and importance varies with each discipline
   6. Realizing that information may need to be constructed with raw data from primary sources
3. Considers the costs and benefits of acquiring the needed information. Outcomes include:
   1. Determining the availability of needed information and makes decisions on broadening the information-seeking process beyond local resources (e.g., interlibrary loan; using resources at their locations; obtaining images, videos, text, or sound)
   2. Considering the feasibility of acquiring a new language or skill (e.g., foreign or discipline based) in order to gather needed information and to understand its context
   3. Defining a realistic overall plan and timeline to acquire the needed information
4. Reevaluates the nature and extent of the information need. Outcomes include:
   1. Reviewing the initial information need to clarify, revise, or refine the question
   2. Describing criteria used to make information decisions and choices

1. Selects the most appropriate investigative methods or information retrieval systems for accessing the needed information. Outcomes include:
   1. Identifying appropriate investigative methods (e.g., laboratory experiment, simulation, fieldwork)
   2. Investigating benefits and applicability of various investigative methods
   3. Investigating the scope, content, and organization of information retrieval systems
   4. Selecting efficient and effective approaches for accessing the information needed from the investigative method or information retrieval system
2. Constructs and implements effectively-designed search strategies. Outcomes include:
   1. Developing a research plan appropriate to the investigative method
   2. Identifying keywords, synonyms and related terms for the information needed
   3. Selecting controlled vocabulary specific to the discipline or information retrieval source
   4. Constructing 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)
   5. Implementing the search strategy in various information retrieval systems using different user interfaces and search engines, with different command languages, protocols, and search parameters
   6. Implementing the search using investigative protocols appropriate to the discipline
3. Retrieves information online or in person using a variety of methods. Outcomes include:
   1. Using various search systems to retrieve information in a variety of formats
   2. Using 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
   3. Using specialized online or in-person services available at the institution to retrieve information needed (e.g., interlibrary loan / document delivery, professional associations, institutional research offices, community resources, experts and practitioners)
   4. Using surveys, letters, interviews, and other forms of inquiry to retrieve primary information
      
4. Refines the search strategy if necessary. Outcomes include:
   1. Assessing the quantity, quality, and relevance of the search results to determine whether alternative information retrieval systems or investigative methods should be utilized
   2. dentifying gaps in the information retrieved and determining if the search strategy should be revised
   3. Repeating the search using the revised strategy as necessary
5. Extracts, records, and manages the information and its sources. Outcomes include:
   1. Selecting 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. Creating a system for organizing the information
   3. Differentiating between the types of sources cited and understanding the elements and correct syntax of a citation for a wide range of resources
   4. Recording all pertinent citation information for future reference
   5. Using various technologies to manage the information selected and organized
      

1. Summarizes the main ideas to be extracted from the information gathered. Outcomes include:
   1. Reading the text and selecting main ideas
   2. Restating textual concepts in his/her own words and selecting data accurately
   3. Identifying verbatim material that can be then appropriately quoted
2. Articulates and applies initial criteria for evaluating both the information and its sources. Outcomes include:
   1. Examining and comparing information from various sources in order to evaluate reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view or bias
   2. Analyzing the structure and logic of supporting arguments or methods
   3. Recognizing prejudice, deception, or manipulation
   4. Recognizing the cultural, physical, or other context within which the information was created and understands the impact of context on interpreting the information
3. Synthesizes main ideas to construct new concepts. Outcomes include:
   1. Recognizing interrelationships among concepts and combining them into potentially useful primary statements with supporting evidence
   2. Extending initial synthesis, when possible, at a higher level of abstraction to construct new hypotheses that may require additional information
   3. Utilizing computer and other technologies (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, multimedia, and audio or visual equipment) for studying the interaction of ideas and other phenomena
4. Compares new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added, contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information. Outcomes include:
   1. Determining whether information satisfies the research or other information need
   2. Using consciously selected criteria to determine whether the information contradicts or verifies information used from other sources
   3. Drawing conclusions based upon information gathered
   4. Testing theories with discipline-appropriate techniques (e.g., simulators, experiments)
   5. Determining probably accuracy by questioning the source of the data, the limitations of the information-gathering tools or strategies, and the reasonableness of the conclusions
   6. Integrating new information with previous information or knowledge
   7. Selecting information that provides evidence for the topic
5. Determines whether the new knowledge has an impact on the individual’s value system and takes steps to reconcile differences. Outcomes include:
   1. Investigating differing viewpoints encountered in the literature
   2. Determining whether to incorporate or reject viewpoints encountered
6. Validates understanding and interpretation of the information through discourse with other individuals, subject-area experts, and/or practitioners. Outcomes include:
   1. Participating in classroom and other discussions
   2. Participating in class-sponsored electronic communication forums designed to encourage discourse on the topic (e.g., email, bulletin boards, chat rooms)
   3. Seeking expert opinion through a variety of mechanisms (e.g., interviews, email, listservs)
7. Determines whether the initial query should be revised. Outcomes include:
   1. Determining if original information need has been satisfied or if additional information is needed
   2. Reviewing search strategy and incorporating additional concepts as necessary
   3. Reviewing information retrieval sources used and expanding to include others as needed
      

1. Applies new and prior information to the planning and creation of a particular product or performance. Outcomes include:
   1. Organizing the content in a manner that supports the purposes and format of the product or performance (e.g. outlines, drafts, storyboards)
   2. Articulating knowledge and skills transferred from prior experiences to planning and creating the product or performance
   3. Integrating the new and prior information, including quotations and paraphrasings, in a manner that supports the purposes of the product or performance
   4. Manipulating digital text, images, and data, as needed, transferring them from their original locations and formats to a new context
2. Revises the development process for the product or performance. Outcomes include:
   1. Maintaining a journal or log of activities related to the information seeking, evaluating, and communicating process
   2. Reflecting on past successes, failures, and alternative strategies
3. Communicates the product or performance effectively to others. Outcomes include:
   1. Choosing a communication medium and format that best supports the purposes of the product or performance and the intended audience
   2. Using a range of information technology applications in creating the product or performance
   3. Incorporating principles of design and communication
   4. Communicating clearly and with a style that supports the purposes of the intended audience
      

1. Understands many of the ethical, legal and socio-economic issues surrounding information and information technology. Outcomes include:
   1. Identifying and discussing issues related to privacy and security in both the print and electronic environments
   2. Identifying and discussing issues related to free vs. fee-based access to information
   3. Identifying and discussing issues related to censorship and freedom of speech
   4. Demonstrating an understanding of intellectual property, copyright, and fair use of copyrighted material
2. Follows laws, regulations, institutional policies, and etiquette related to the access and use of information resources. Outcomes include:
   1. Participating in electronic discussions following accepted practices (e.g., “Netiquette”)
   2. Using approved passwords and other forms of ID for access to information resources
   3. Complying with institutional policies on access to information resources
   4. Preserving the integrity of information resources, equipment, systems, and facilities
   5. Legally obtaining, storing, and disseminating text, data, images, or sounds
   6. Demonstrating an understanding of what constitutes plagiarism and does not represent work attributable to others as his/her own
   7. Demonstrating an understanding of institutional policies related to human-subjects research
3. Acknowledges the use of information sources in communicating the product or performance. Outcomes include:
   1. Selecting an appropriate documentation style and using it consistently to cite sources
   2. Posting permission-granted notices, as needed, for copyrighted material

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