As part of our information literacy plan, the Landman Library has developed suggested outcomes for certain elements of the new Arcadia curriculum. If your course belongs to one
of the following curricular elements, please check off the appropriate element and read the associated outcomes. A librarian will be happy to talk with you more about these.
o Students will be able to critically evaluate information available on the free web so they can effectively determine which online sources are reliable and best meet their information need.
o Students will be able to identify,locate and utilize basic Arcadia University library resources and services. Emphasis will be placed on students gaining knowledge about how to access resources and staff assistance.
o Students will be able to identify a topic that is appropriate in scope and develop effective keywords to use when searching library databases for information. Other searching tecniques will also be discussed and modeled for
students to help them make better use of the features of an academic database.
o Students will be able to effectively evaluate database searches and alter search strategies based on an analysis of initial search results.
o Students will be able to differentiate between scholarly and popular articles and use this knowledge to
determine which type of sources is most suitable for their information need.
o Students will be able to identify the purpose of, and possible biases in, specific information sources
so that they can most effectively incorporate that information source into their work.
o Students will practice academic honesty and correct MLA citation style when citing references in their papers.
o Students will be able to discuss and reflect upon the cyclical nature of the research process. Recursive models of inquiry will be modeled for and practiced by students so they will be prepared to conduct sophisticated research.
o Students will be able to evaluate information sources using more advanced (or discipline specific) criteria, such as a knowledge of important authors and publishers in a particular field.
o Students will examine sources and types of information specific to their discipline, understand how information is produced in their discipline, and make use of cross-disciplinary research strategies where appropriate.
o The principles of academic honesty will be reinforced and students will practice proper citation style format for the discipline being studied.
o The outcomes covered in the other identified curricular areas help to give students a solid foundation in several fundamental areas of information literacy. By their senior year, Arcadia University students should be able to bring the general information literacy proficiencies listed below to the task of researching their senior capstone project. However, even though students will have learned general information skills earlier, it is recommended that students and faculty in Senior Capstone courses engage in a dialog with their liaison librarian because there are higher level skills that can be taught to help students refine their ability to conduct research and use information.
**A Faculty-Librarian will contact you to schedule instruction and to further discuss your needs.**