Information literacy encompasses the essential skills and competencies needed to effectively locate, assess, and utilize information sources. This multifaceted concept encompasses a wide range of abilities, including:

  • Identify and challenge assumptions
  • Evaluate evidence and draw logical conclusions
  • Consider multiple perspectives on an issue

Note: While the terms “information literacy” and “digital literacy” are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some important distinctions between the two. Digital literacy encompasses a broader set of skills for effectively using digital technologies, platforms, and media. This can include creating, sharing, and collaborating using various digital tools and content.

Why is Information Literacy Important?

The immense volume of information readily available in our digital age makes it vital for individuals to develop strong information literacy skills. With the proliferation of online content, it has become increasingly challenging to distinguish credible, factual sources from those that may be inaccurate, biased, or intentionally misleading.

Academic journal articles and other published works are not always immune to these issues—some may reflect a particular ideological viewpoint or agenda rather than present objective, well-researched information. Beyond the academic realm, we are also confronted with the growing problem of “fake news”—deliberately falsified or distorted content that sows disinformation and manipulates public opinion.

Furthermore, the rise of “native advertising” techniques, where advertisements are designed to seamlessly blend in with regular editorial content, makes it easy for readers to unknowingly consume promotional material without realizing it.

Key Information Literacy Skills

Cultivating the following skills is central to becoming an information-literate student:

Finding Sources

Navigating the wealth of available information is critical in the research process. Developing the skills to locate and access relevant sources efficiently is essential for producing well-informed, evidence-based work.

When conducting literature searches, you must first consider the type of sources you require. At the beginning of your research, you may seek out tertiary sources, such as encyclopedias or handbooks, to gain a broad overview of your topic. 

As your research progresses, you will likely need to identify and consult primary and secondary sources, such as scholarly articles, books, and reports, which you will then cite in your work.

To ensure you are accessing credible and relevant sources, consider the following strategies:

  • Website Evaluation: Look for websites with reputable domain extensions, such as .edu or .gov, which indicate the source is an educational institution or government agency.
  • Search Engine Selection: When searching for academic literature, utilize specialized search engines like Google Scholar, which provide access to peer-reviewed journal articles and other scholarly resources.
  • Database Navigation: Familiarize yourself with the databases and journal collections available through your institution’s library. Identify those that are most relevant to your field of study.

Effective literature searches require the following:

  • A clear and well-defined research problem or question
  • Knowledge of the critical databases, journals, and other relevant sources for your topic
  • The ability to employ Boolean operators and other search techniques to refine and expand your query

Evaluating Sources 

In our information-rich world, critically evaluating the quality and credibility of sources is an essential skill. Reliable, unbiased information is the foundation for informed decision-making and robust scholarly work. By applying a systematic approach to source evaluation, you can filter out misinformation and ensure the integrity of your research.

One widely recognized framework for assessing the credibility of a source is the CRAAP test. This acronym represents the key criteria to consider:

  • Currency: Is the information up-to-date and reflective of the most recent developments in the field?
  • Relevance: Is the source relevant to your research question or topic of interest?
  • Authority: Is the author or publisher recognized as an expert or authoritative voice on the subject matter?
  • Accuracy: Is the information well-supported by evidence and free from factual errors or unsubstantiated claims?
  • Purpose: What is the overall purpose or bias of the source? Is it intended to inform, persuade, or promote a particular agenda?

The relative importance of each CRAAP criterion may vary depending on the academic discipline and the specific context of your research. For example, in the sciences, the currency of a source is often of paramount importance as scientific knowledge evolves rapidly. An older source may still be relevant in the humanities if it offers a seminal or influential perspective.

Citing Sources

Just as you look for sources supported by evidence and provide correct citations, your work should provide relevant and accurate citations when you quote or paraphrase a source.  

Citing your sources is important because it:

  • Enables you to credit the original authors
  • Enhances the credibility of your work
  • Allows readers to verify and further explore the information you’ve presented
  • Demonstrates your engagement with the scholarly conversation on a topic

The most common citation styles are:

  • IEEE style: Commonly used in engineering and computer science    
  • Vancouver style: Predominant in medicine and life sciences  
  • Harvard style: Often used in business, management, and social sciences

It’s important to know what citation style your institution or publication requires. The specific information needed in a citation depends on the source type and the chosen style. Below is a Harvard-style example.

Example: Harvard in-text citation

Antioxidants in olive oil may help explain the low cardiovascular mortality rates observed in southern European Mediterranean regions (Covas et al. 2009).

Example: Harvard reference entry

Covas, M.I., Konstantinidou, V. and Fitó, M., 2009. Olive oil and cardiovascular health. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 54(6), pp.477-482.