GE INFORMATION LITERACY GOALS & COMPETENCIES:

AREA B - SCIENCES

GE Program and Area Distribution  | Area Competencies

Course Description

GOAL I: Student understands how information in the sciences is defined by experts, and recognizes how that knowledge can help determine the direction of their search for specific information.

Competencies learned:

  • Student knows how scientists communicate, research and publish.
  • Student can formulate a research question and form an appropriate search strategy for the assignment at hand.

GOAL II: Student understands the importance of the organizational content, bibliographic structure, function, and use of information sources in the sciences.

Competencies learned:

  • Student is familiar with the basic information sources present in the sciences (print & electronic).
  • Student can evaluate information in the sciences and the media's presentation of scientific research in terms of the author's credentials, timeliness, bias, etc.
  • Student knows the difference between and can create a bibliography, footnotes, references in the style used in the sciences.

GOAL III: The student can identify useful information from information sources or information systems used in the sciences.

Competencies learned:

  • Student can determine what type or kind of information resources their research requires and is aware of the implications of using those resources. Student knows when to change the topic or direction of their search.
  • Student can construct a search query using Boolean logic.
  • Student can use OPAC's and knows how to locate controlled vocabulary (LCSH, MESH, etc.) appropriate for the sciences.
  • Student can use electronic and paper indexes, bibliographies, etc., in the sciences to locate other information sources and are able to select the appropriate tool for their research needs.
  • Student can read bibliographic records in the sciences, especially those found in electronic information resources.

GOAL IV: The student understands the way collections of information sources in the sciences are physically organized and accessed.

Competencies learned:

  • Student knows how the science collection at CSUSM is organized and can locate materials in the collection.
  • Student knows that major science institutions and collections exist nationally, regionally and locally, and is aware that access and organization to these places may differ.
  • Student knows when it is appropriate to use interlibrary loan and other document delivery systems.
  • Student can locate science information sources on the Internet.
Area Competencies page GE Page

-Adapted from ACRL's Model Statement of Objectives for Academic Bibliographic Instruction

by Donna M. Ohr. and Gabriela Sonntag