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Introduction to Information Literacy

Information overload?!

Whether we’re looking at social media, catching up on tv, talking to others, trying to avoid "breaking news" notifications, or even waiting in line at the grocery store, information is everywhere. This immersion makes it harder to find what we're looking for, especially when we want trustworthy results quickly.

 

When we want to find new information most of us start with the internet, possibly through a search engine or a general knowledge site like Wikipedia. This is fine for starting a search, but it doesn't always lead to quality or even useful results. We tend to think that if something is, for example, the top result on the first page of Google, that source must be the most accurate.

As you’ve probably discovered, that is not always true.  The reasons for this are varied, but here's a quick summary of why: advertising, algorithms, and also--our human nature of wanting to take shortcuts. 

 

As confusing as the process can be, stick with it and it will get easier.  Start by reading about the "CRAAP Test" below and then explore the rest of the guide in order.

By going into your searches with an idea of how to use what you find, you will hopefully waste less time and generate better results. 

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