Information Skills & Subskills--Musical Styles

(A Synthesis of Major Existing Models) Ruth V. Small & Marilyn P. Arnone, Turning Kids On To Research: The Power of Motivation, 2000, also used in S.O.S. for Information Literacy Web site Search Criteria)

Italics indicate electronic information skills and subskills.
Click here to see a list annotated by grade level

1. Definition

   Identifying the requirements of the research task or assignment.

   Determining the amount and type of information needed to complete the task or assignment.

   Considering potential topics.

2. Selection

   Narrowing the topic or question to be explored

   Specifying subtopics or related keywords.

3. Planning

   Formulating a search strategy.

   Identifying potential information sources.

   Creating a general framework for organizing information found.

   Identifying potential formats for presentation of results.

4. Exploration

   Accessing information resources.

   1. Understands parts of a book
   2. Understand shelf arrangement
   3. Understand classification system
   4. Use OPAC efficiently
   5. Use online periodical index
   6. Access electronic reference material, Internet, CD's
      1. Search engines—compare and contrast
      2. Follow links and layers in electronic sources
      3. Subject directories
      4. Tools & techniques specific to electronic information
      5. Boolian operators—“and, or and not”
   7. Accesses traditional reference resources
      1. Almanac
      2. Specialized dictionaries (Webster's, biographical, geographical dictionaries)
      3. Atlas
      4. Dictionary—guide words
      5. One-volume reference books (Use key word & topic headings)
      6. Encyclopedia index
      7. Periodical Index—Reader's Guide
      8. Indices to collections of short works
      9. Identifies specialized subject reference sources
      10. Biographical information
      11. Exploring a range of information resources.
      12. Understand hierarchy of information—general to specific
      13. Understands & is able to use inter-library loan
      14. Uses community resources, museums, human resources
      15. Rethinking research topic.
      16. Finalizing formulation of research topic.

• Collection

  Selecting most relevant information resources.

  Locating relevant information within selected resources.

  Reads purposefully—skims and scans

  Underlines key words

  Abide by acceptable use policy re. Internet, etc.

  Apply ethical conduct to information technology

  Extracting information from selected resources.

  View & download relevant Internet information

  Takes notes

  Takes notes with word processor

  Use proper citation

  Use proper citation—Noodle Tools, etc.

  Evaluating the accuracy, credibility, currency, and completeness of the information.

  Saving information for potential future use.

• Organization

  Analyzing and comparing data for evaluating relevance.

  Use spreadsheet, and/or database

  Filtering out irrelevant information.

  Summarizing and synthesizing gathered information.

  Outline, web, paraphrase, summarize

  Outline, cut and paste

  Create and refine thesis statement

  Sequencing selected information.

  Organizing information for presentation.

  Format word processed document with columns, headers, tabs

  Produce spreadsheet with assistance

  Chart a graph with assistance

  Use spell checker, grammar checker, thesaurus, etc.

  Create and use computer-generated graphics and art

• Presentation

  Selecting most appropriate format for communicating results.

  Use presentation software

  Use specialized computer applications for specific tasks

  Presenting results.

• Evaluation

  Evaluating the end product.

  Assess product for completeness, strengths and weaknesses

  Use rubrics for self/group evaluation

  Assessing the efficiency of the research process.

  Assess use of available time for task

  Make recommendations to improve results

  Determining future usefulness or applicability of the research process

  Facility/Computer Awareness Skills

  Learn care of computer

  Concept of a library

  Behavior and etiquette

  Lifelong Reading Skills

  1. Develop personal interests
  2. Recognize variety of literary forms:
     1. Folklore
     2. Poetry
     3. Drama
     4. Biography
     5. Autobiography
     6. Mythology
     7. Novels
     8. Short Stories
     9. Nonfiction
  3. Recognize genres of fiction:
     1. Adventure
     2. Fantasy
     3. Science-fiction
     4. Historical fiction
     5. Mysteries
  4. Recognize value of literary awards and reviews
  5. Set personal bookmarks
  6. Learn to use Virtual Library