Standard 3: The information literate student evaluates information and its sources critically and incorporates selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
EVALUATES information
Performance Indicators:
- The information literate student summarizes the main ideas to be extracted from the information gathered. Outcomes include:
- Reads the text and selects main ideas
- Restates textual concepts in his/her own words and selects data accurately
- Identifies verbatim material that can be then appropriately quoted
- The information literate student articulates and applies initial criteria for evaluating both information and its sources. Outcomes include:
- Examines and compares information from various sources in orde3r to evaluate reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and point of view or bias
- Analyzes the structure and logic of supporting arguments or methods
- Recognizes prejudice, deception, or manipulation
- Recognizes the cultural, physical, or other context within which the information was created an understands the impact of context on interpreting the information
- The information literate student synthesizes main ideas to construct new concepts. Outcomes include:
- Recognizes interrelationships among concepts and combines them into potentially useful primary statements with supporting evidence
- Extends initial synthesis, when possible, at a higher level of abstraction to construct new hypotheses that may require additional information
- Utilizes computer and other technologies (e.g. spreadsheets, databases, multimedia, and audio or visual equipment) for studying the interaction of ideas and other phenomena
- The information literate student compares new knowledge with prior knowledge to determine the value added contradictions, or other unique characteristics of the information. Outcomes include:
- Determines whether information satisfies the research or other information need
- Uses consciously selected criteria to determine whether the information contradicts or verifies information used from other sources
- Draws conclusions based upon information gathered
- Tests theories with discipline-appropriate techniques (e.g. simulators, experiments)
- Determines probable accuracy by questioning the source of the data, the limitations of the information gathering tools or strategies, and the reasonableness of the conclusions
- Integrates new information with previous information or knowledge
- Selects information that provides evidence for the topic
- The information literate student determines whether the new knowledge has an impact on the individiual's value system and takes steps to reconcile differences. Outcomes include:
- Investigates deferring viewpoints encountered in the literature
- Determines whether to incorporate or reject viewpoints encountered
- The information literate student validates understanding and interpretation of the information through discourse with other individuals, subject-area experts, and/or practitioners. Outcomes include:
- Participates in classroom and other discussions
- Participates in class-sponsored electronic communication forums designed to encourage discourse on the topic (e.g., email, bulletin boards, chat rooms)
- Seeks expert opinion through a variety or mechanisms (e.g., interviews, email, listservs)
- The information literate student determines whether the initial query should be revised. Outcomes include:
- Determines if original information need has been satisfied or if additional information is needed
- Reviews search strategy and incorporates additional concepts as necessary
- Revises information retrieval sources used and expands to include others as needed