Information Skills

The following information is a guide to planning and presenting a successful research project.

PLANNING SKILLS

• What do I need to do?
• What resources do I need?
• How long do I have?
• How do I need to present my work?

LOCATION AND GATHERING SKILLS

Am I familiar with the organisation of the library?

• Dewey Decimal Classification order
• Alphabetical order
• Use of indices, contents pages, glossary etc.
• Format - books, periodicals, ephemera, statistical information

Am I familiar with IT sources of information?

• databases, CD Rom, Internet, etc

SELECTION AND APPRAISAL SKILLS

• Do I need up to date, authoritative information?
• Do I need different points of view?
• Is there any bias in the information I have gathered?
• Do I discard any information at this stage?

ORGANISATION AND RECORDING SKILLS

• Note-taking
• Precis / Summary / Abstract
• Citing quotations - compiling a bibliography

COMMUNICATION AND REALISATION SKILLS

• Have I understood the information?
• Can I communicate the information successfully?
• Am I presenting original work?

EVALUATION SKILLS

• Have I accomplished all I need to do?
• Have I used all relevant resources?
• Have I completed my work in the time frame?
• Have I organised and presented my work in the most helpful and appropriate manner?