Experiences with Information Literacy Topical Module (2021)
Copyright © 2021 Trustees of Indiana University
Developed in collaboration with college and university librarians, this module asks students about their use of information and how much their instructors emphasized the proper use of information sources. This module complements questions on the core survey about higher-order learning and how much writing students do.
1. During the current school year, about how often have you done the following?
Response options: Very often, Often, Sometimes, Never
a. Completed an assignment that used an information source (book, article, website, etc.) other than required course readings
b. Worked on a paper or project that had multiple smaller assignments such as an outline, annotated bibliography, rough draft, etc.
c. Received feedback from an instructor that improved your use of information resources (source selection, proper citation, etc.)
d. Completed an assignment that used the library’s electronic collection of articles, books, and journals (JSTOR, EBSCO, LexisNexis, ProQuest, etc.)
e. Decided not to use an information source in a course assignment due to its questionable quality
f. Changed the focus of a paper or project based on information you found while researching the topic
g. Looked for a reference that was cited in something you read
h. Identified how a book, article, or creative work has contributed to a field of study
i. Considered the credibility of an information source
j. Verified an information source by comparing it to other sources
k. Identified information that was biased, misleading, or deceptive
l. Used information you found on social media in a paper or project
m. Combined information found on social media with other sources
2. During the current school year, how much have your instructors emphasized the following?
Response options: Very much, Quite a bit, Some, Very little
a. Not plagiarizing another author’s work
b. Appropriately citing the sources used in a paper or project
c. Using scholarly or peer-reviewed sources in your course assignments
d. Questioning the quality of information sources
e. Using practices (terminology, methods, writing style, etc.) of a specific major or field of study
3. How much has your experience at this institution contributed to your knowledge, skills, and personal development in the following areas?
Response options: Very much, Quite a bit, Some, Very little
a. Using information effectively
b. Recognizing biased, misleading, or deceptive information
c. Evaluating the credibility of your information sources