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Information Literacy Skills - Delicia T. Greene- Syracuse University

Criteria  Proficient Competent Developing

Assessing Information Need

  • Narrows down broad research topic to a more specific research topic (refines research topic)
  • Creates questions that guide the research topic
  • Determines how certain information sources (primary &/or secondary) can meet the information need (sees clear connection between the need and the information that a particular resources provides)
  • Refines research topic depending on familiarity with topic
  • Creates questions depending on familiarity with topic
  • Familiarizes with how frequently used information sources (primary &/or secondary) can meet the information needs
  • Uses broad topic for research
  • Lacks ability to narrow research topic (Research topic is too broad for accurate searching; does not refine research topic)
  • Lacks the use of guide questions for research topic
  • Lacks ability to distinguish between certain information sources (primary &/or secondary)
Accessing Information Resources
  • Uses a wide variety of medium (both print and online resources) to access information
  • Uses a wide variety of information searching options (basic, advanced, Boolean, etc.) and determines which search approach is more suitable
  • Uses information resources that are tailored to the information need (familiarity with the types of information particular resources provide)
  • Uses medium (both print and online resources)that he/she is familiar with (uncertain of best sources  that meets the need) (tends to not branch out to other sources)
  • Uses a wide variety of resources but is not familiar with the most suitable resource
  • Uses a limited number of medium to access information
  • Uses limited information searching options (Uses basic search option)
  • Lacks ability to tailor the search approach to meet research needs
Using Information
  • Balances between the use of original thoughts & new ideas in the document
  • Uses new information to extend/build upon original thoughts & ideas
  • Uses new information that is topically connected to the existing work and weaves it into the document in a fluid manner
  • Paraphrases as oppose to using “direct quotes” (Relies less on new information to make argument or claims)
  • Relies on the new information when  unfamiliar with the topic; relies more on original though when familiar with the topic
  • Uses new information is topically connected to the existing work however it may not be fully weaved into the document in a fluid manner
  • Uses a combination of paraphrases and “direct quotes”
  • Relies mostly on the new information in the document
  • Lacks ability to use new information to extend/build upon original thought & ideas
  • Uses new information in place of own ideas
  • Uses new information that is not topically connected to the existing work (Document lacks fluidity)
  • Uses mostly “direct quotes” (Relies mostly on direct quotes to make argument or claims)
Evaluating Information
  • Distinguishes accurately between authoritative sources and non authoritative sources
  • Uses key features in determining authority
  • Understands that authoritative sources are deemed worthy of acceptance by readers (the importance of using authoritative sources)
  •  Distinguishes between authoritative sources and non authoritative sources that he/she is familiar with
  • Uses both authoritative and non authoritative sources
  • Lacks ability to distinguish between authoritative sources and non authoritative sources
  • Uses non authoritative sources
  • Lacks awareness of identifying key features that determine authority
  • Lacks knowledge of the importance of using authoritative sources
Using Information Ethically & Legally
  • Cites  & references information appropriately that is paraphrased or quoted directly
  • Cites & references various forms of information (blogs, journal articles, news papers, encyclopedias, etc.) accurately
  • Uses the appropriate manual of style necessary for a particular audience
  • Includes footnotes, citations, & bibliographic references for all sources used
  • Cites & references appropriately the majority of information that is paraphrased
  • Cites & references accurately  various forms of information (blogs, journal articles, news, etc.) that he/she is familiar with
  • Uses the appropriate manual of style most often
  • Includes footnotes, citations, & bibliographic references for all sources
  • Lacks the ability to distinguish between paraphrasing or quoting directly
  • Cites & references information inaccurately that is paraphrased or quoted directly
  • Lacks the ability to cite & reference various medium (blogs, journal articles, news, papers, encyclopedias, etc.)
  • Uses inappropriate manual of style for a particular audience
  • Excludes footnotes, citations, & bibliographic for sources used in the document