Information Literacy

Epistemology – Epistemologies – Theories of Knowledge

What is Epistemology? Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that investigates the nature, origins, and limits of human knowledge. It asks how we know what we know, what it means to know something rather than merely believe it, and where the boundaries of our knowledge might lie. In short, epistemology provides a framework for evaluating ...

Scholarship – The Scholars – Textual Research Methods

What is Scholarship? The core of scholarship is the belief that knowledge is created through reading, writing, and debating interpretations of texts. Scholars focus on texts and dialectic—the process of reasoning correctly—to generate, test, and defend the knowledge they produce. Unlike scientists, engineers, or social scientists who look outward for evidence, scholars look inward, relying ...

Critical Literacy Concepts

Critical literacy Related Concepts: Critical Thinking; Problem Solving; Critical Theory Educated readers engage in critical literacy practices: they question information They question it’s currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose (Blakeslee 2004): Currency Has the writer clarified the currency of the information? Relevance Is the information relevant? Authority What research methods were employed?How credible are the ...

NASA's Surface Temperature Analysis of Earth.

Information, Data, Content – Building Blocks Of The Digital Information Age

Definitions The terms “Information,” “Data,” and “Content” are often used interchangeably but have distinct meanings in the context of writing and communication: The progression from data, through information, to content reflects a writer or speaker’s effort to tailor information for particular audiences and situations. Related Concepts: Archive; Canon; Communication; Literacy; Semiotics Why Does Information Matter? ...

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ACRL Information Literacy Framework

What Are the Core Information Literacy Perspectives & Practices of Literate People? The ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) contends that there are six dispositions or practices you need to survive and thrive in an information ecology: Paul T. Corrigan, a professor of English, has suggested a seventh core concept: Empathetic Information Literacy FAQs ...

Popular vs. Scholarly Sources

What is the difference between popular and scholarly sources? There are a few key differences between popular and scholarly sources. One of the biggest reasons for the distinction is that your academic writing will most likely need scholarly work to support your thesis. Scholarly sources generally support their claims with research and other works that ...

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Plagiarism – Reimagining Authorship & Citation Practices in The Age of AI

How Has Plagiarism Typically Been Defined? Plagiarism has traditionally been defined as: Plagiarism can be intentional or accidental—whether it’s deliberate copying or carelessness, like not knowing citation rules. While the severity of offenses may vary, plagiarism invariably carries consequences in both academic and professional realms. A prominent example of these consequences unfolded in early 2024 ...

The CRAAP Test –  Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose

The CRAAP Test refers to the acronym “CRAAP” – Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (Blakeslee 2004). Educated, literate audiences consider the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose of information when trying to evaluate its credibility and reliability. Currency Current research may reinforce or, alternatively, repudiate prior research. Human knowledge — Relevance Does the information directly ...

Digital Literacy

Digital literacy concerns how individuals navigate and employ digital tools to consume and produce information. See AlsoMedium, MediaLiteracyVisual Literacy Writing spaces and technologies are constantly evolving. For example, over the years, writers have moved from writing on stone or bark or papyrus or paper or computer screens. For example, today, someone might shoot off a ...