Searching for Information
Modules:
- A Research Process
- Searching for Information
- Retrieving Information
- Evaluating Information Resources Found and Retrieved
- Ethical Use of Information
Links to:
Searching for Information
Information is available in a multiplicity of formats and types, and from a multiplicity of sources; not everything is in electronic format via the World Wide Web. Types and formats of information can be viewed as "information containers." "Tools" are available to search the information containers; students master searching "skills" using these tools to discover the information in the containers. Finally, a student evaluates their search results to determine if the search process should be revised to improve the results.
There are four sub-modules to help a student learn about searching for information:
- formats and types of information (the information containers)
- searching tools, including the online catalog, indexes and databases, and the Web
- searching skills, knowing which tool to use and how to search it, and
- evaluating the search strategy to improve the results
We recommend you begin by reviewing the various formats and types of information.