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Tutorials: Research Skills

Brainstorming Tool

CREDO Mind Map

credo mind map

This brainstorming tool can help you refine your topic or find related terms to help you with your research. Plus - it is really cool! Give it a try by clicking on the thumbnail above.

More Resources

Web Searching vs. Database Searching

Open Web Searching 
Library Databases
Searching entire free internet                                              
Searching sources selected for academic use
Hits ranked by popularity algorithm
Hits ranked by keyword relevance
Webpages created by anyone
Articles written by scholars, researchers, journalists, professionals
Commercial sites' purpose is to sell
Published materials that people pay to access
May hit paywall to read articles
Library provides access to quality materials

 

Consider your information needs when deciding where to search.

For more details see: 

Why Use the Library Databases?

Why Use the Library Databases?

What is Information Literacy?

Information Literacy encompasses the set of skills needed to search, retrieve, analyze and use information efficiently, effectively, and ethically. The Library ILC workshops provide a foundation of Information Literacy skills to support your academic and professional success.  

See here for the Library's Information Literacy Certificate (ILC) Workshops

Information Literacy...is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." 1

These abilities are important to employers because they are necessary for:

  • critical thinking
  • problem solving
  • innovative thinking and
  • lifelong learning2

More Resources:

1. Association of College & Research Libraries. Presidential Committee on Information Literacy. Final Report. (Chicago: American Library Association, 1989.)

2. Raish, V., Rimland, E. (2016). Employer Perceptions of Critical Information Literacy Skills and Digital Badges. College & Research Libraries; 1/1/2016, Vol. 77 Issue 1, p87-113, 27p

Digital Literacy & Media Literacy

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