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INFORMATION LITERACY By

Cosmas Kemboi

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Table of Contents MODULE TITLE: KCAU 001: INFORMATION LITERACY ........................................ 6 LECTURE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION LITERACY ......................... 8 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 8 1.3 Introduction to Information literacy.......................................................................... 8 1.3.1 Basic concepts.................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................... 8 1.3.3 Development of information literacy ............................................................... 10 1.3.4 Definition of information literacy .................................................................... 11 1.3.5 Characteristics of an information literate individual ....................................... 11 1.3.5 Why information literacy is important in higher education ............................. 12 1.3.6 Benefits of information literacy ....................................................................... 13 1.3.7 Role of information in the information/knowledge society ............................. 13 1.3.8 Characteristics of the information/knowledge society..................................... 13 1.4 Activities ..................................................................................................................... 14 1.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 14 1.7 Suggestion for further reading ................................................................................ 15 LECTURE TWO: SOURCES OF INFORMATION ....................................................... 16 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 16 2.3 Sources of Information ........................................................................................... 16 2.3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 16 2.3.2 Print Resources ................................................................................................ 16 2.3.3 Digital Resources ............................................................................................. 16 2.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 16 2.3.4 Reference Sources............................................................................................ 17 2.3.5 Non-Reference Sources ................................................................................... 17 2.3.6 Other sources of information ........................................................................... 18 2.4 Scholarly and non-scholarly resources ................................................................... 18 2.5 Periodicals (Journals, newspapers and Magazines) ................................................ 18 2.5.1 Journals and Journal Articles ........................................................................... 18 2.5.2 Magazines and Magazine Articles ................................................................... 19 2.6 Electronic Resources Provided by KCA University Library .................................. 20 2.7 Choosing sources of information ............................................................................ 22 2.8 Activities ................................................................................................................. 23 2

2.9 Self – Test Questions .............................................................................................. 23 2.10 Summary ............................................................................................................... 23 2.11 Suggestion for further reading .............................................................................. 23 LECTURE THREE: REFERENCING ............................................................................. 24 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 24 3.3 Referencing ................................................................................................................. 24 3.3.1 Definition of referencing.................................................................................. 24 3.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 24 3.3.2 Types of referencing styles .............................................................................. 25 3.3.4 American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. ...................... 25 3.3.5 The importance of referencing in academic writings ...................................... 26 3.4 Citations ...................................................................................................................... 27 3.4.1 Direct quotations .............................................................................................. 27 3.4.1.2 Block Quotations .......................................................................................... 28 3.4.2 Paraphrased citations ....................................................................................... 29 3.6 Secondary Referencing ........................................................................................... 30 3.7 References List........................................................................................................ 30 3.7.1 Compiling References...................................................................................... 30 3.7.2 References of print book .................................................................................. 31 3.7.3 References of journal article ............................................................................ 32 3.8 Digital object identifier (doi) .................................................................................. 32 3.9 References vs Bibliography .................................................................................... 33 3.10 Activities ............................................................................................................... 33 3.11 Self – Test Questions ............................................................................................ 33 LECTURE FOUR: INFORMATION SEARCH STRATEGIES ..................................... 35 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 35 4.3 Information Search Strategies ................................................................................. 35 4.3.1 Definition of searching .................................................................................... 35 4.3.2 Boolean operators ............................................................................................ 35 4.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 35 4.3.3 Truncation and Nesting .................................................................................... 38 4.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 38 4.7 Suggestion for further reading ................................................................................ 38 LECTURE 5: ORGANIZATION AND LOCATION OF INFORMATION ................... 39 3

5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 39 5.3 Organization and Location of Information from the Library.................................. 39 5.3.1 Finding Information in a Resource Collection................................................. 39 5.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 39 5.3.3 Library layout and organization ....................................................................... 40 5.4.5 The Martin Oduor-Otieno Library Organization ............................................. 41 5.4.6 Finding Books by Call Numbers...................................................................... 42 5.4.7 Library catalogue (OPAC) ............................................................................... 43 5.4.8 Library Collections .......................................................................................... 44 5.5 Activities ................................................................................................................. 44 5.6 Self – Test Questions .............................................................................................. 44 5.7 Summary ................................................................................................................. 45 LECTURE SIX: EVALUATION OF INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SOURCES......................................................................................................................... 46 6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 46 6.3 Evaluation of Information Sources ......................................................................... 46 6.3.1 Criteria for judging information source ........................................................... 46 6.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 46 6.4 Activities ................................................................................................................. 49 6.5 Self – Test Questions .............................................................................................. 49 6.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 49 LECTURE SEVEN: SYNTHESIZING ASSIGNMENTS AND RESEARCH REPORTS ........................................................................................................................................... 50 7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 50 7.3 Synthesizing assignments and research reports ...................................................... 50 7.3.1 Synthesizing the Information ........................................................................... 50 7.3.2 Present the information task (e.g. writing the essay) ....................................... 50 7.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 50 7.3.3 What is the best way to present the synthesized information? ........................ 51 7.3.4 Appraise the Completed Task .......................................................................... 51 7.4 Activities ................................................................................................................. 52 7.5 Self – Test Questions .............................................................................................. 52 7.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 53 7.7 Suggestion for further reading ................................................................................ 53 LECTURE EIGHT: PLAGIARISM ................................................................................. 54 4

8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 54 8.3 Plagiarism ............................................................................................................... 54 8.3.1 Definition of Plagiarism................................................................................... 54 8.2 Specific objectives: ................................................................................................. 54 8.3.2 Types of Plagiarism ......................................................................................... 55 8.3.3 Tips on how to avoid plagiarism...................................................................... 55 8.4 Activities ................................................................................................................. 56 8.6 Summary ................................................................................................................. 57 8.7 Suggestion for further reading ................................................................................ 57 APPENDIX I: APA REFERENCING STYLE GUIDE AS PER THE 6TH EDITION OF THE APA MANUAL, 2010 ............................................................................................. 58 APPENDIX II: Format for writing World-Class Essay Assignments/Term Papers......... 68 APPENDIX III: CITING OTHER PEOPLES’S WORK ................................................. 72

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MODULE TITLE: KCAU 001: INFORMATION LITERACY

Introduction Welcome to this module of information literacy. The purpose of this module is to help you gain information literacy skills. These are essential skills that will eguip you with skills such as ability to recognize when information is needed, ability to locate, ability to evaluate, ability to reference and use effectively the needed information. It will help you to be able to access and locate information required for the other modules that you have registered. It is expected to enhance your overall academic performance. We hope that this module will give you the necessary skills and knowledge to be become a lifelong learner and independent thinker. The examination will be (70% exams and 30% CAT) 0.5 or as prescribed in other examination rules. This is a half module as it is combined with HIV and AIDS module. Objectives By the end of this unit you should be able to: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii)

Explain the role of information in the society Explain the role of information literacy in your studies and professional career Describe how information is organized, stored, retrieved and disseminated. Describe the information sources and resources for your studies Articulate your information needs and formulate an effective search strategy. Evaluate the quality of information for your studies Apply referencing in academic writings Avoid plagiarism in academic writings

Recommended Readings Idiodi, E.A. (2005). Approaches to information literacy acquisition in Nigeria, Library Review. 54(4), 223 – 230 KCA University Library. (2012). APA referencing style guide as per the 6th edition of the APA manual, 2010. Nairobi: KCA University Library KCA University Library. (2013). Collections. Retrieved on 30th July 2013 from www.kca.ac.ke 6

KCA University Library. (2013). Downloads. Retrieved on 30th July 2013 from www.kca.ac.ke KCA University Library. (2013). E-resources. Retrieved on 30th July 2013 from www.kca.ac.ke Lau, J. (2008).IFLA Publications: Information Literacy: International Perspectives. Berlin, DEU: K. G. Saur Retrieved from www.ebrary.com Machet, M. (2012). Mastering of information skills in the 21st century. Pretoria: Unisa Press Neville, C. (2010). The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. Retrieved from www.ebrary.com Okiki, O.O., & Iyabo, M. (2013). Impact of information literacy skills on academic staff research productivity in Nigeria Federal Universities. Information and Knowledge Management, 3(2)

Retrieved from www.iiste.org

The University of Sydney. (2011). Your guide to APA 6th style referencing. Retrieved April 30, 2013 from http://sydney.edu.au/library/subjects/downloads/citation/APA%20Complete_2012.pdf

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LECTURE ONE: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION LITERACY 1.1 Introduction Welcome to the lecture on introduction to information literacy. We shall begin the study of this lesson by understanding the basic concepts. We will further explain the importance of information literacy in higher education. 1.2 Specific objectives: At the end of the lecture you should be able: 1) to define basic concepts in information literacy 2) to explain the importance of information literacy in higher education 3) to describe characteristics of information literate individual 4) to explain the development of information literacy 5) to explain the characteristics of information and /or knowledge society 6) to know and explain information literacy skills

1.3 Introduction to Information literacy 1.3.1 Basic concepts a) Information needs: If you are unable to answer a question or solve a problem within your frame of reference, you know that you need more information. As an information literate person, you will know that you need accurate and appropriate information to help you make intelligent decisions. For example to: 

Find a job,



Vote in an election,



Obtain a bursary,



Do an assignment,



Prepare for exam,



Write your project, among other needs.

b) Information awareness: This is the knowledge base and skills framework you utilize when you use information. Information literacy is possible only if you have an awareness of the role of information in society and in your own life. Information skills are based on a very strong awareness of the role of information in your life. This awareness encompasses your knowledge of what information is and why it is 8

important, as well as your knowledge and skills which enable you to know where and how to find information. c) Information skills: Accessing, evaluating and using information are fundamental skills for information literacy. We group these skills together and call them information skills. To be information literate, you need to be capable of doing several things with information. The skills should enable you to: (i)

Be aware of and understand the information environment e.g library, databases, printed, e-resources, among others

(ii)

Recognize when you need information

(iii)

Understand the role of information in your own life

(iv)

Know where and how to find relevant information from different sources

(v)

Evaluate information sources, among other skills

d) Lifelong learning (LL): This is continuing on path of education throughout life. Lifelong learning implies that whatever knowledge and skills you acquire through learning; these should be effective throughout your life and enable you to continue learning throughout your life. Lifelong learning and information literacy go hand in hand in. You acquire information skills through learning and because they are transferable skills, you can use them throughout your life in various situations. Think about reading and writing skills! It has been argued that lifelong learning is not only learning for professional development, but it also includes learning for personal and civic duties. We need to upgrade our skills and knowledge to enhance our capacity to be more attractive not only to the current employer but also to the market. Information literacy is a ‘prerequisite’ and ‘essential enabler’ for lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is intertwined with self directed/independent learning and participation. The American Library Association states that information literate people … know how to learn because they know how knowledge is organized, how to find information and how to use information in such a way that others can learn from them. They are prepared for lifelong learning, because they can always find the information for any task or decision at han...