Teaching Research and Information Literacy (TRAIL) - Think Like a Researcher: Instruction Resources

Originally in the TRAIL curriculum, we used the Knowledge Cycle module from the Research Process Tutorial (RPT) series.  Note: This series was retired in Dec. 2020. This has since been replaced with a new module titled Understanding the Information Cycle.

Course Learning Outcome:  Demonstrate information literacy and be able to work with evidence

Goal:  Increase students’ awareness of the speed of publishing behind different sources

Specifically, students will be able to

• recognize the speed and oversight with which source types are created.
• recognize the benefits and limitations of source types in the information cycle. 
• identify the impact of information production on source-type reliability and availability.

Tutorial:

1. Use the Understanding the Information Cycle module from the Starting Your Research Series.

2. Assign individually or do together in class.

3. You may wish to follow the tutorial with a discussion about the challenges some students may have with finding scholarly information depending on their research question.  This can lead to a broader discussion about available sources.

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Understanding the Information Cycle

Answer the following questions based on what you learned by completing the Understanding the Information Cycle Tutorial.

• What kind of information sources might you find if you were researching the events of September 11, 2001?
• How would those sources differ from what you might find if you were researching the events of  January 6, 2021 at Capitol Hill?