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Information Literacy Framework for Faculty: Athens State Guidelines

This Guide is intended to help the faculty understand the Information Literacy Guidelines developed by the Learning Resource Committee and how these Guidelines incorporate the 2015 Framework for Information Literacy created by the ACRL

Athens State's Interpretaion of the ACRL Framework

Athens State University's LRC, tasked with adapting the Framework for our university's specific needs, have defined an information literate student as one who will develop an independent and efficient process for conducting research in diverse working environments which includes, but may not be limited to:

  1. Identifying an information need
  2. Locating pertinent information to meet that need
  3. Comprehending the information
  4. Evaluating the information
  5. Presenting the information appropriately and ethically

Graphic representation of Athens State's Interpretation

Information literacy framework interpreted by Athens State

The Five Steps In Detail and Mapped to the Framwork

  1. Identify an Information Need
    1. Comprehend the scope of the task [Frame 4]
    2. Develop a Research Plan [Frames 4, 6]
  2. Locate Information
    1. Understand how to access information (e.g. utilize print or technological resources such as appropriate academic databases, contact the appropriate expert) [Frame 6]
    2. Understand the distinctions, advantages, and limitations of various sources (e.g. primary versus secondary sources, peer-reviewed versus popular sources) [Frames 2,4, 6]
    3. Determine appropriate authoritative information sources to employ for a given project [Frames 2, 4]
  3. Comprehend Information
    1. Know the conventions (e.g. linguistic, visual, audio, gestural, spatial) and terminology of the discipline  [Frames 4, 5]
    2. Understand the methodology used to attain the data [Frames 4, 5]
  4. Evaluate Information
    1. Assess the appropriate currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose of each source, including practical limitations of the methodology [Frames 1, 4, 5]
    2. Understand the context for which the information was developed and published (e.g. current environment, historical, on-going scholarly discussion) [Frames 1, 5]
  5. Present the Information Appropriately and Ethically [Frames 2, 5]
    1. Produce original work applicable to the task that incorporates the research [Frame 4]
    2. Communicate effectively and appropriately for the task, which may include working within different modalities [Frame 3]
    3. Document sources fully using the appropriate citation style for the given task [Frame 3]
    4. Refrain from unlawful and unethical activities such as plagiarism and, where applicable, uphold professional standards including [Frame 3]:
      1. Preservation of confidentiality
      2. Disclosure of information deficiencies or conflict of interest