Information Competence in the Sciences

TITLE: Information Competence in the Sciences

ABSTRACT:

This multi-campus project of the California State University will collaborate on the identification of a core list of scientific information literacy competencies and the subsequent development of integrated web-based modules which can be used both by teaching faculty and librarians in course integrated instruction. The target audience is students in general education science classes for nonscience majors and lower division science classes. While focused on classes offered in the CSU the same modules can also be used in community colleges and potentially in high school science classes. Funding is provided by the Commission on Learning Resources and Instructional Technology. Completion date is February 1, 1999.

Project Director:

Robert Sathrum

Natural Resources Librarian and Chair, Information Services

University Library

Humboldt State University

Arcata, CA 95521-8299

Voice: 707-826-5600

Fax: 707-826-3440

Email: rls2@axe.humboldt.edu

Project Associates:

Christina Peterson

Life Sciences Librarian

Robert D. Clark Library

San Jose State University

One Washington Square

San Jose, CA 95192-0028

Voice: 408-924-2727

Fax: 408-924-2701

Email: peterson@email.sjsu.edu

Lakshmi Ariaratnam

Science Reference and Instruction Librarian

Meriam Library

400 West First Street

Chico, CA 95929-0295

Voice: 916-898-6882

Fax: 916-898-4443

Email: lakshmi_ariaratman@macgate .csuchico.edu

Sharon Chadwick

Physical Sciences Librarian

University Library

Humboldt State University

Arcata, CA 95521-8299

Voice: 707-826-4955

Fax: 707-826-3440

Email: ssc1@axe.humboldt.edu

Marie de Angelis

Professor and Chair, Department of Oceanography

Humboldt State University

Arcata, CA 95521-8299

Voice: 707-826-5621

Fax: 707-826-4145

Email: mad1@axe.humboldt.edu

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Background

The Purpose of the Baccalaureate Degree as articulated by the CSU Academic Senate (10/11/96) includes as its first point the acquisition of "...knowledge and skills appropriate for lifelong learning". Included within this point is the statement that "...graduates should be able to locate, evaluate, analyze, synthesize, and create information, ...think critically, understand the scientific method, communicate their work effectively and integrate and apply knowledge from various fields."

Science is one of these major fields of knowledge. In the CSU 21% of all student majors are in scientific or technical fields. In addition there are general education requirements in science that must be met by all other students. The world is increasingly shaped by science and technology and a level of scientific literacy is a necessary outcome of education. The American Association for the Advancement of Science in its 1989 report on Science for All Americans discusses the overall need for scientific literacy, including the need to understand the scientific enterprise. The production and use of scientific information has individual, social, and institutional dimensions which students need to understand in order to be productive either in science as a chosen discipline or as a general member of society.

Goals and Objectives

The overall goal of the project is to identify a set of core scientific information literacy competencies and develop a series of web-based modules and exercises which can be used by high school, community college, and CSU students.

Specific objectives to be addressed include:

• unique characteristics of the scientific literature, including publication formats, structure of the scientific paper and peer review
• objective stance of the researcher
• importance of internal documentation and citation of relevant literature
• understanding of the ethical, legal and sociopolitical issues surrounding scientific information
• ability to critically evaluate sources of scientific information

Correlation with Existing CSU Information Competency Projects

This project is intended to build upon the seven core information competency skills already identified in Information Competence in the CSU: a Report by identifying core competencies common to scientific information literacy. The intent is two fold--to equip nonscience majors with a basic understanding of scientific information and to serve as a base for upper division information competencies in specific scientific disciplines. CSU San Marcos has developed a list of competencies for general education science information literacy as part of its information literacy program. Some discipline specific competencies have been developed as part of the existing project on "Information Competence Implementation through Interactive Instructional Materials".

Send comments and suggestions about this page to: Robert Sathrum
Last Updated: September 9, 1999