nformation Competency Module
English 424

The Information Competency Module for English 424 is two-fold. The primary focus is to increase student familiarity with the journals of the discipline of education, both paper and online, and the basic level journal indexes. The module will also provide a review of skills presumably acquired in lower division courses, including the use of the catalog to find books and journals, citing styles, and plagiarism. In addition, students will also learn the overall importance of information literacy and how to utilize the many resources which will remain accessible upon graduation.

Developing a Research Topic

Developing a research topic is the first and foremost important decision to be made. Determining the specifics of your topic will contribute to the success of your research. Whether you are establishing a thesis statement or simply selecting a topic of interest it is important to make this your first step toward the completion of a research paper.

Searching for a Book

The HSU Library Catalog is the database for the Library's collections. The data in the catalog include bibliographic information (author, title, publisher, data of publication, etc.), subject headings, location in the Library, and circulation status (whether the item is checked out or not, or if it is allowed to circulate). For this class you will be focusing on books located in the:

• Book Stacks (Education is primarily in L, second floor)
• Children’s Collection
• Curriculum Collection
• Reference Collection

Searching for an Article

• Browsing Journals - Although the format of journals is increasingly online, there is still a small collection of them available in the HSU Library.

• Using Indexes or Databases - Articles and education documents from journals, newspapers, and various agencies are indexed in databases. Click on Articles and Databases on the library’s homepage to view the list. Not every database is a full-text database which provides instant access to a complete article. Some databases provide only an abstract of an article. The researcher must then find the full-text of the article in another database or in a print version of the journal, if available.

Information Literacy Module for English 424 will focus on the following databases: Academic Search Elite, and Omnifile.

Each database will have the following in common:

• Clicking on the  next to the database name will provide detailed information on the database itself including: date coverage; journals indexed; and other such parameters

• Every database uses a variety of access terms such as keywords, author name, title, audience type, date, journal title, etc. The options vary from one database to another.

• Every database allows searchers to choose simple or more advanced search screens

• Every database provides “help” screens to help refine and improve searching

• Before searching indexes and catalogs, you should clarify the information you are seeking by developing a search strategy. Every database utilizes the concept of Boolean searching (the logical relationship among search terms, specifically: and, or, not)

Searching for a Journal

• Once an article has been identified in a database the full-text may be directly linked and immediately available. This will be evident by links such as:

HTML Full Text
 PDF Full Text

• Often, however, as is the case with journals indexed in ERIC, it will be necessary to locate the full-text in another database or in the periodical stacks located on the second floor of the library, or through Interlibrary Loan. This will be indicated by    or   

• By clicking on the “SFX” link above you will be immediately taken to another database or a list of databases (including the HSU online catalog) where you may locate the journal or referred to Interlibrary Loan.

• If you are not using a database and already know the name of a journal you may search for that journal title to determine its availability online or in print at the library.

• If a journal is unavailable at the HSU library you may obtain a copy of the article you need by requesting it through Interlibrary Loan.

Searching Pre-Selected Sites on the Internet

Librarians serve as bibliographers for specific disciplines and, as such, review and recommend books, journals, web sites and other resources for research.

Cold Searching on the Internet

Although “cold searching” on the Internet is one of the least effect means of obtaining scholarly, authoritative research, it is one of the most popular. Yet there is no denying that “web searches” can be meaningful and produce useful results.

Ethical Use of Information

Ethical use of information includes issues such as plagiarism, complete and proper bibliographic citations, fair use and accuracy.

Who Needs a Librarian?

Confucius said, "You know what you know and you don't know what you don't know.  That is knowledge” …and that is where librarians can be helpful. Whether you are just beginning your research or you think you’ve exhausted all resources available, a librarian can advise you of the many options beyond the obvious. Librarians are information specialists, trained to educate, illuminate, and disseminate ~ and, best of all, the service is free!