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PALNI Information Literacy: Learning Outcomes

This guide contains mapped versions of all PALNI LibGuides focused on Information Literacy.

About the PALNI IL Modules

The PALNI IL modules are a set of modules on the following topics available for use as LMS or LibGuide versions. Each module contains learning outcomes, course content, an activity, and a quiz. Modules can stand alone or be used in any combination.

Module 1: Forming Your Research Question

Learning Outcomes:

  • Select an effective research topic,
  • Generate questions related to a research topic,
  • Apply simple techniques to broaden or narrow a research topic, and
  • Identify key concepts and terms that apply to a given topic area.

Module 2: Searching for Information Online

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe what search engines are, the types of information you can access by using them, and how to access them.
  • Describe what library databases are, the types of information they contain, and how to access them.
  • Describe an appropriate use for Wikipedia in a research project.
  • Describe how you use keywords to search a library database.
  • Search the database Academic Search Complete for a scholarly article.

Module 3: Advanced Searching

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and consider contents of databases to choose the database most appropriate for your needs.
  • Identify and consider elements of database records to maximize search strategy.
  • Use multiple search boxes and field options in search strategy.
  • Use database Limiting and Narrowing tools to focus Results Lists.

Module 4: Evaluating Sources

Learning Outcome:

  • Evaluate resources to determine if they should be used for your assignment based on standard evaluation criteria

Module 5: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources

Learning Outcomes:

  • Distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary sources.
  • Determine when it is appropriate to use each type of source during a research project.

Module 6: Scholarly Articles

Learning Outcomes:

  • List the standard format of empirical scholarly articles. 
  • Effectively and efficiently read scholarly articles for maximum comprehension.

Module 7: Information Cycles and Communication Sources

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the cycle of information.
  • Recognize patterns in Information Cycles.
  • Differentiate between scholarly, trade, and popular communication.
  • Identify which resources are best for research, and
  • Use techniques for finding peer-reviewed articles.

Module 8: Misinformation and Media Bias

Learning Outcomes:

  • Critically evaluate news sources.
  • Identify 7 types of misinformation.
  • Recognize 7 forms of media bias.

Module 9: Organizing Sources

Learning Outcomes:

  • Construct an organization system for compiled research sources using note cards or online organization / citation management tools.
  • Employ ethical practices of incorporating sources into one’s own work through quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.

Module 10: Academic Integrity

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify the six values of academic integrity. 
  • Analyze strategies for maintaining academic integrity.

Module 11: Understanding Plagiarism & Citing Sources

Learning Outcomes:

  • Distinguish between the ethical use of a source and plagiarism.
  • Identify a citation and its basic elements.
  • Explain the purpose and benefits of citations.
  • Produce a citation from a source following a standard format.

Module 12: Copyright, Fair Use, & Public Domain

Learning Outcome:

  • Understand how copyright and fair use dictate the use of sources.

Module 13: Literature Reviews

Learning Outcomes:

  • List different ways to organize a literature review.
  • Discuss what should be included in each section of a literature review.
  • Successfully write a literature review.

Module 14: Scholarly Conversation

Learning Outcomes:

  • Define scholarly conversation.
  • Identify strategies for researching forward/backward.

Module 15: Information Has Value

Learning Outcomes:

  • Recognize the value of information as a means for understanding and negotiating the world.
  • Recognize issues of access to information sources.
  • Recognize how your information privilege affects your research.