Graduate Information Literacy Module. National University of Ireland Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork
- Country
-
Ireland
- Learning Sector
- Higher Education
- EU Funding Programme
- This course is funded under the Higher Education Authorities (HEA) Strategic Innovation Funding (SIF) Programe 2007-2013 Transforming Ireland by the Irish Government and part financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan (NDP).
- Initiative Type
- Initiatives/projects aimed at development of IL as social objective;
- Literacy Area
- Information Literacy with the impact on Computer Literacy, Digital Literacy
- Geographical/Social Range
- National, for srudents
- Type of Institution
- University
- Contact Details
- Niall McSweeney
- Website
- www.informationliteracy.ie
Project Coordinator and Partners
This is the joint initiative of three universities and university libraries: the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Cork.
The content was developed by Subject Librarians in each of the participating Universities.
Background
The initiative is an attempt to improve the competence of trainee students at masters and doctoral levels, as well as post-doctoral young academic staff.
The module has been incorporated into the curricula, and is an example of a resource of credited courses available at universities collaborating with one another.
Core Objectives
The initiative is to provide literacy skills to postgraduate research students completing PhD or research Masters, as well as Post-Doctorate staff.
Details
The aim of the module is to enable users to:
- understand the significance of Information Literacy and its application to their research;
- enable audit and updating of current Information Literacy skills;
- expand and acquire a portfolio of Information Literacy skills;
- develop Information Literacy Skills, that will enhance the quality of research skills and expand career opportunities.
Results
A total of 6 units have been prepared:
- Unit 1 Resource Research Discovery
- Unit 2 Evaluating Research Resource Results
- Unit 3 Tracking Down Results & Keeping Up to Date
- Unit 4 Managing Your Information
- Unit 5 Ethics in Using Research Information
- Unit 6 Publishing/Disseminating Your Research
Each unit introduces the topic through a series of slides explaining the subject area, and then provides an opportunity to practice and explore its themes by means of short reflective tasks. The tutorials supplement the important work of the subject area librarian, and are designed to allow users to review each topic at their own convenience.
The Learning Outcomes are to:
- plan and undertake a comprehensive search and review of the literature;
- develop effective strategies to locate and access relevant information;
- analyze and critically evaluate research findings;
- demonstrate and apply a range of these skills as part of wider research portfolio;
- develop effective approaches to keep up to date with the latest research in research area;
- manage research information saving valuable time and effort;
- identify the legal and ethical issues relating to the use of information;
- publish and present information in an effective way;
- justify the application of information literacy skills to the specific research.