Course Description

This course is designed to introduce basic information literacy skills, the course gives students both the technological skills and the critical thinking abilities needed to use print and electronic information resources found in libraries and on the Internet. Students successfully completing this course will be able to locate, critically evaluate and apply information in their academic courses and in their professional and personal life.

Learning Outcomes

1. Defining the object of information queries. Managing search tools and strategies (How to effectively search resources):

a). Students will be aware of the diversity of information resources and be able to identify the most useful or relevant to their research field.

b) Students should also become familiar with the interfaces, tools and strategies used in information seeking being able to perform advanced searches using a variety of strategies, operators, and limiters to improve their research.

c) Where to find it – resources

• Print materials (catalogues).
• Non book materials (catalogues).
• Online materials (databases - open access vs. Subscriptions).

2. Evaluating information sources:

a) Students should know how to examine and compare information from various sources – print or online – by applying appropriate evaluation criteria.

b) Students should be able to identify reliability, validity, accuracy, authority, timeliness, and points of view or biases among several evaluation criteria for information sources.

3. Plagiarism, citation and referencing:

a) Students should be able to understand the different elements and syntax of a bibliographic reference according to the different types of sources used.

b) Students should be able to recognize the existence of several standards for bibliographic references.

c) Students should be aware of the existence of some bibliographic management software.

d) Students should be able to recognize and avoid plagiarism and get acquainted with some of the plagiarism detection software available.

e) Students should know when/why to cite a source.

f) Students should know the publishing strategies and tools and how to improve their chances of being published.

Bibliometrics and Scientific Publishing:

a) Students should understand the context and use of bibliometrics in higher education.

b) Students should be able to identify the main metrics used in the evaluation and assessment of research.

c) Students should be aware of the main issues and limitations associated with bibliometric analysis.

Course Delivery

Online Webinar or F2F.  3-4 sessions, 60 mins each.

Facilitator:

Abdelhafid Barir is currently the Head Librarian of the SEA Library. 

He earned his master's degree in library  and information science in 2014.  Abdelhafid is an information management leader with over ten years of experience managing library and information services.  As the head librarian of SEA library, Abdelhafid is responsible for the planning and management of the library’s activities and provides leadership and expertise in strategic technology management to enhance the growth and effectiveness of the library’s services.

Abdelhafid specializes in academic library leadership and management, technology and education, reference and instructional services, best-evidence research techniques, theses, and institutional repositoriesAbdelhafid specializes in academic library leadership and management, technology and education, reference and instructional services, best-evidence research techniques, theses, and institutional repositories.

Award:

Participants need to attend all the sessions in order to receive the completion certificate.  Upon completion of this course, participants will receive corresponding PD hours and will get a completion certificate delivered by SEA. Participants must complete any assignment and/or assessment and participate actively during the online sessions, with their webcam on.