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Information literacy for researchers assess yourself

Are you an information literate researcher? Take a look at the statements and examplesbelow, and grade yourself from 1 -5, where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent. Use some of thesuggested support to boost your knowledge and confidence.

Statement Example Grade

I analyse my information needsbefore I start looking forinformation

I define keywords and phrases,use mind mapping techniques,talk to relevant colleagues, findbackground information

See the section Finding the Focus in the Research Observatory

http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxUse the Finding Information section of the Universitys Study Skillssite.http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspx

I choose sources appropriately I dont just stick to GoogleorGoogle Scholar. I try usingdifferent sources of informationsuch as books, databases,reports, websites as appropriate

I am familiar with the bestdatabases to use for my research

I know which databases areavailable at UWE to support myresearch, and who to ask foradvice in their use

For assistance in selecting appropriate resources, have a look at the librarys web pages for yoursubject athttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject.aspx.You can also contact your subjectlibrarians; see the list athttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject/subjectlibrariansstudents/byfacultyandsubject.aspx

I can exploit databases effectivelyand efficiently

I can use advanced databasesearching if I need to. I cancombine keywords and limitsearches

I think about my search strategy,and can make changes if I needto

I reflect on what is working andchange my approach ifnecessary

I know how to ask questions tohelp me retrieve information

I can use appropriate language,and re-phrase if necessary.

For a quick reminder of search strategies and search techniques, have a look at the FindingInformation section of the University Study Skillssite.http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxSign up for the session Guide to searching and storing the literature, via the events page

http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43

I can gather brand new datawhen required

I can design and create surveys,gather data, carry out interviews.

Information is available in the Research Methods section of the Research Observatory

http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxUse Library Search to locate books or journal articles on research methodology

http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject/subjectlibrariansstudents/byfacultyandsubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject/subjectlibrariansstudents/byfacultyandsubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject/subjectlibrariansstudents/byfacultyandsubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/yoursubject.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspx

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http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/

I know how to keep up to datewith newly published information

I know how to access generaland subject specific currentawareness services

Information on general current awareness services can be found athttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/currentawareness.aspxIndividual subject specific databases will also often provide their own current awareness services.I understand how to interpretinformation from differentresources

I understand how searchengines rank results, I know howto choose appropriate resultsfrom a database search, I cansort results sensibly.

I understand that differentsources provide different typesand quality of information

I can explain the differencesbetween scholarly journals,professional journals andpopular journals

I evaluate the quality of theinformation that I find

I use appropriate criteria such ascurrency, bias and authority toassess information

For information on how to evaluate information sources, try visiting the Reviewing the Literaturesection of the Research Observatory:http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderRoom.aspx?Context=7&Area=1&Room=2or the Evaluating Information section of the University Study Skillssite.http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspx

I can understand the information

that I find, and can analyse andsynthesise it appropriately.

I can summarise, reword and

collate information from severalsources

Information is available via the Synthesising the Literature section of the Research Observatory:http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspx.

I recognise the legal and ethicalaspects of using other peopleswork

I understand copyright andplagiarism, and can referencematerials correctly.

For a quick reminder about copyright and plagiarism, visit the Plagiarism section of Reading andWriting at the University Study Skillssite.http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxOr, have a look at the Plagiarism and IPR section of the Research Observatory, available via

http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxFor help with referencing styles, see the Guide to Referencing section of the University Study Skillssitehttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxWorkshops on using Refworks(a reference management system) are run throughout the year atFrenchay and Glenside, with occasional sessions at Bower Ashton. Book onto a workshop via theform athttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx,or sign up for a Guide to Searching andStoring the Literaturesession via the events pagehttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43

I am aware of the scholarlycommunication debate

I can explain why there is amovement to publish material onopen access

I understand the role of researchrepositories I know about local and nationalrepositories, and how to access

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/currentawareness.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/currentawareness.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderRoom.aspx?Context=7&Area=1&Room=2http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderRoom.aspx?Context=7&Area=1&Room=2http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?categoryID=43http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/findinginformation.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderRoom.aspx?Context=7&Area=1&Room=2http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/currentawareness.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/

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them.To access UWEs Research Repository, visitwww.eprints.uwe.ac.uk.For more information on open access publishing, and other repositories, visithttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/researchrepository.aspx

I understand the need to manage

my research data

I can manage my data in an

appropriate, safe and effectiveway

Data management is emerging as a critical consideration for researchers. For more information visithttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/datamanagement.aspxFor lots of general advice, visit the website of the national experts at the Digital Curation Centre atwww.dcc.ac.ukFor UWE specific guidance, see web pages athttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/researchers/manageresearchdata/managingresearchdata/guidance.aspxFor an introduction, sign up for the workshop Data management best practice

http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?page=2&categoryID=43

I can access communicationnetworks in my research area

I know about appropriate mailinglists, conferences, professionalnetworks

For some general information, have a look athttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/networkanddevelop.aspx

I can write in a way which isappropriate for my intendedaudience

I understand different writingstyles

See the Conclusions and Reflection section of the Research Observatoryhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspx

General advice on using the Library is available at all times via the online Ask a Librarianservice, athttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/

Adapted with permission from Being an Information Literate Researcher. Moira Bent & Helen Blanchett, Newcastle University.

http://www.eprints.uwe.ac.uk/http://www.eprints.uwe.ac.uk/http://www.eprints.uwe.ac.uk/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/researchrepository.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/researchrepository.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/datamanagement.aspxhttp://www.dcc.ac.uk/http://www.dcc.ac.uk/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/researchers/manageresearchdata/managingresearchdata/guidance.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/researchers/manageresearchdata/managingresearchdata/guidance.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/researchers/manageresearchdata/managingresearchdata/guidance.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?page=2&categoryID=43http://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?page=2&categoryID=43http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/networkanddevelop.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/networkanddevelop.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderHomePage.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/networkanddevelop.aspxhttp://info.uwe.ac.uk/events/eventlisting.aspx?page=2&categoryID=43http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/researchers/manageresearchdata/managingresearchdata/guidance.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/researchers/manageresearchdata/managingresearchdata/guidance.aspxhttp://www.dcc.ac.uk/http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/datamanagement.aspxhttp://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary/servicesforresearchers/researchrepository.aspxhttp://www.eprints.uwe.ac.uk/