1. M02: Information Needs and Sources
Identify
Search
Evaluate
Use
Present
See also:
Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, Riedling.
Introduction to Information Literacy

2. Introduction to Information Literacy
Outline
The first step of an information research process:
Identify:
the problem
the information needs
The three major types of (formal) information sources in a society
Information is of great diversity and in various formats
The various related issues in acquiring appropriate information sources
Introduction to Information Literacy

3. Review: The Steps in an Information Research Process
Identify
To identify the problem and the information needs.
Search
To develop a search strategy and to search the information you need.
Evaluate
To evaluate the information obtained.
Use
To extract, summarize and analyze the information to solve the problem.
Present
Write a paper and give a presentation. Do not forget to cite the information sources.
Identify
Search
Evaluate
Use
Present
Introduction to Information Literacy

4. Identifying the Problem
Before starting to solve a problem, one has to understand the problem first:
State your problem in the form of a question
Identify the related concepts
Define and refine a topic:
The topic, when finished, should lead to a solution to your problem
Narrow or broaden your topic if needed
Introduction to Information Literacy

5. If you are free to choose a topic…
Select a topic that interests you and your group members.
Brainstorm all possible ideas with your group members.
Browse scholarly journals, books, newspapers, magazines, web resources, encyclopedia, etc. for ideas.
Example of online encyclopedia: Wikipedia
Introduction to Information Literacy

6. Identifying the Information Needs
What kinds of information do you need?
Considerations
Quality and quantity of information required
Currency of the information (important!)
Type of publications targeted
Type of information sources in a society
Nature of information
Primary vs. secondary, formal vs. informal
Format of information sources
printed, non-printed, web
Introduction to Information Literacy

7. Three Major Information Sources in a Society
Government
Academy
Private sectors
Introduction to Information Literacy

8. Introduction to Information Literacy
Government
Government is the first major producer of information in a society
Most of the information produced by the HK SAR Government is supported by government agencies at all levels.
The information generated may be used by government officials to make economic, social, and political policy decisions
HK citizens are able to access government information through the government public library depository system or the government web sites.
Introduction to Information Literacy

9. The Government Public Library Depository System
The Hong Kong Collection is a comprehensive collection of Hong Kong related materials.
It is mainly maintained among six public libraries: Hong Kong Central Library; The City Hall Public Library; the Kowloon Public Library; Shatin Public Library; Tsuen Wan Public Library; Tuen Mun Public Library.
Introduction to Information Literacy

10. Major Government Web Sites
Hong Kong SAR Government Information Centre (General Information)
Census and Statistics Department
Information Services Department
Information Technology Services Department
Intellectual Property Department
Introduction to Information Literacy

11. Introduction to Information Literacy
Academy
Research universities and colleges are the second major source of information in a society.
Researches take place in sciences, humanities, and social sciences (i.e. the three general disciplines) and a great deal of knowledge is produced and published in the form of books and scholarly journals.
Introduction to Information Literacy

12. Introduction to Information Literacy
Private Sectors
The private sector is the third major source of information in a society.
Commercial media organizations provide public access with a fee.
Note that much of the research done and the findings are confidential by corporate laboratories and business research firms (Why?)
Also much of the research is done in an economic, political and social background.
A research is done does not imply it will be published and accessible by the general public.
Introduction to Information Literacy

13. Information in Various Formats
Information can be accessible in three common formats:
Printed materials
Non-printed materials
Electronic forms
Introduction to Information Literacy

14. The Various Types of Printed Materials
Books
Periodicals
Popular magazines, professional and trade magazines, scholarly journals, newsletters, newspapers, etc.
Introduction to Information Literacy

15. Introduction to Information Literacy
Structure of a Book
Title Page
Verso Page
Table of Contents
Foreword, Preface and Acknowledgment Pages
Introduction
Appendices — may include listing of acronyms, abbreviations, illustrations, and other features
Notes and Bibliographies
Index
How can we make good use of these?
Introduction to Information Literacy

16. Introduction to Information Literacy
Periodicals
Materials published at regular intervals
Popular magazines
Professional and trade magazines
Scholarly journals
Newsletters
Newspapers
Think: What kind of information can we get from each of them? When are they useful?
Introduction to Information Literacy

17. Introduction to Information Literacy
Popular Magazines
General, or non-specialist nature
Geared towards the general public
Articles are shorter and cover variety of topics and are not signed.
Articles are reviewed by internal staff.
Lustrous appearance with many photographs and advertisements
Not good sources for academic research
Introduction to Information Literacy

18. Professional and Trade Magazines
Magazines that present information about a profession or a particular industry
Introduction to Information Literacy

19. Introduction to Information Literacy
Scholarly Journals
Specialize in a particular discipline; sponsored by academic or professional organization
Geared towards scholars, researchers and experts in an academic or professional community
Articles are longer and in-depth, written in academic style.
Covering report research, case studies, criticism with many notes and bibliography
Authored by experts in their fields of study
Articles are reviewed by an editorial board of esteemed scholars.
With serious, moderate look, fewer photographs or advertisements
Published bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually
Introduction to Information Literacy

20. Introduction to Information Literacy
Newsletters
Periodicals produced by a variety of groups with the objective of informing readers about the activities of the group concerned
Introduction to Information Literacy

21. Introduction to Information Literacy
Newspapers
Geared towards the general public
Articles are short and easy to understand
Materials focusing on current events, news, and popular topics of the day
Written by journalists and reviewed by internal staff
Good sources for secondary information; may also provide primary information in direct interviews
Introduction to Information Literacy

22. Non-printed Materials
Audio-visual materials; multimedia
Microform—microfilm and microfiche
Introduction to Information Literacy

23. Introduction to Information Literacy
Electronic Resources
Web sites (e.g. portal, news, informational, business/marketing, educational, entertainment, advocacy, personal, etc)
Electronic databases and reference tools available at University Library
Introduction to Information Literacy

24. Introduction to Information Literacy
Popular News Sites
BBC News
Financial Times
CNN
New York Times
Washington Post
Ming Pao
People News Network
Xinhua News Network
Introduction to Information Literacy

25. Other Considerations in Acquiring Appropriate Information Sources
Primary and secondary information
Formal vs. informal information
Purpose and audience of different information sources
Free and fee-based information
Introduction to Information Literacy

26. Primary and Secondary Information
Primary information
original and unedited information
Secondary information
edited information, or interpretation of an original source, second-hand versions
Can you name some examples in both cases?
Introduction to Information Literacy

27. Formal vs. Informal Information
usually sponsored and issued by academic or professional organizations
thus is more reliable and provides good sources for your information
includes government publications, government notices, historical documents, books, scholarly journals, statistical information from business research firms and corporations, etc.
Informal information
Usually related to personal views or opinions; may have bias.
May not be good sources of academic information.
Introduction to Information Literacy