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IL Outcomes and Assessment | Library
IL Outcomes and Assessment | Library
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IL Outcomes and Assessment
National Information Literacy Standards, Competencies, and Frameworks by Discipline
Information Literacy in the Disciplines
Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education- ACRL
ACRL Framework Companion Document- Education
ACRL Framework Companion Document- Political Science, Public Policy, & International Relations
ACRL Framework Companion Document- STEM
ACRL Framework Companion Document- Writing and Literature
ACRL Framework Companion Document- Sociology
ACRL Framework Companion Document- Women & Gender Studies
The information-literate UCR student is an active, critical, and ethical participant in the use and creation of information for academic, professional, personal, and community success
About UCR Information Literacy Outcomes
In brief:
This set of Information Literacy Outcomes (ILO) is intended to aid faculty, librarians, instructors, and students in identifying the essential skills, knowledge, and values that collectively demonstrate information literacy (IL). The ILOs can be used to integrate IL into existing curriculum; design IL lessons and learning objects; and assess IL development. These goals and outcomes map to the national standards for IL, the
Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education
, as well as aspire to reflect the unique culture and values of teaching and learning at UC Riverside.
UCR Information Literacy Outcomes
Recognizing information needs
a. Refining a broad topic into a research question, argument, or search query
b. Identifying information needs according to the research question
c. Using reference and research tools to develop a research question or search query
d. Editing and building upon an initial research question/query throughout the information-seeking process
This looks like:
As a student
Developing a search strategy based on the assigned research question
Using digital library resources to research the background of topic
Adding new evidence or information based on peer/instructor feedback on initial drafts or versions of an assignment
As a lifelong learner
Seeking resources from a professional/industry organization to develop a new skill for work
Using resources such as government websites or commercial search engines to research background information on a political candidate’s voting record
Accessing reliable sources for researching a medical diagnosis or condition
Seeking out relevant information
a. Locating known information sources using citation or other information/metadata
b. Strategically design a search by choosing an appropriate search method (keyword, subject information, descriptive information, controlled vocabulary, etc…)
c. Applying iterative search techniques, such as editing search queries, and recursive search techniques, such as updating or adding keywords, based on initial search results
d. Distinguishing between and selecting information sources appropriate to the context, including essential information tools of the discipline
e. Knowing and using library and information support services and resources, including reference services and research guides
f. Implementing a system to organize information searches, saved sources, and used citations
This looks like:
As a student
Tracing the references found in an assigned reading to identify additional sources
Identifying and locating a key journal by title for their field
Using a formal (Zotero, EndNote) or informal (blank document, spreadsheet) system to organize sources used for an assignment
As a lifelong learner
Visiting the county website for information on government services
Selecting keywords and search terms from a travel article to plan a trip
Using an internal information source such as a wiki or intranet to locate human resources policies at work
Evaluating information through a critical and contextual lens
a. Selecting information sources based on accuracy, credibility, and relevancy
b. Explaining how power, privilege, bias, and capital impact information creation, access, and use
c. Critiquing models of information access for their ability to facilitate or restrict information seeking
d. Practicing self-evaluation to counter bias and information silos
e. Practicing open-mindedness when encountering new or conflicting information
This looks like:
As a student
Describes their thought process for including selected citations but not others in a “Works Cited” list
Uses alternative sources for course materials, such as course reserves or library collections
Investigates outlier or conflicting information through other sources
As a lifelong learner
Accesses news media from a diversity of sources and in a variety of formats
Critiques internet and social media sources for promoting and hindering information access and spread of mis/disinformation, and uses accordingly
Navigates new models of information ownership and access such as licensing, streaming, and consumer data privacy impact their daily information use
Integrating existing information in the creation of new information
a. Identifying existing arguments in information sources to expand, critique, and/or draw conclusions
b. Selecting types and formats of information to meet different information communication needs
c. Integrating information through different methods such as quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing
d. Integrating information for different purposes, such as background information, presenting existing arguments, or method development and application
e. Considering format, audience, and purpose when creating new works for dissemination
This looks like:
As a student
Accesses a variety of sources, such as peer-reviewed empirical research, scholarly books, government data, or primary sources as appropriate to their information need
Successfully uses the conventions of the format and the discipline when creating new information, such as a poster, research paper, report, or slide presentation
Analyzes or critiques an argument or claim based on evidence
As a lifelong learner
Creates effective information visualizations for work
Fact-checks news, politicians, and organizations
Uses information sources like public libraries, online videos, and community groups to develop a hobby or skill
Valuing the ethical and sustainable use of information
a. Articulating the many reasons for citations, including how different citation styles reflect the diverse needs and values of their disciplines
b. Applying style guides to effectively cite in traditional contexts, or to find effective solutions for less-traditional contexts
c. Understanding the legal and ethical issues surrounding permissions, copyright, privacy, collection of personal information, “big data”/large language models, and human subjects
d. Respecting cultural, legal, and ethical differences related to access, use, and dissemination of information
e. Advocating for transparency and privacy in the collection and use of personal information
This looks like:
As a student
Correctly uses style conventions of the discipline to cite new and non-traditional sources, such as social media
Demonstrates cultural humility when interacting with information from individuals, institutions, or communities beyond their own
As a lifelong learner
Practices stewardship of their personal information, including awareness of how regulation and legislation impact the collection and sale of that data
Follows legal, ethical, and best practices when using information in a work environment
Critiques the development of new information technologies for their ethical implications, such as AI
Tools for Information Literacy Assessment
Information Literacy Assessment Rubric
Useful for assessing projects such as term papers, research posters, and assignments that require additional sources, this tool also includes outcomes mapped to other national information literacy standards.
Identifying Artifacts for Information Literacy Assessment
Useful for assessing projects such as term papers, research posters, and assignments that require additional sources