This guide contains tutorials and quizzes for UK 101/201.

Information literacy may be referred to as inquiry, critical thinking skills, research skills, or lifelong learning. 
No matter which term you use, it is fundamental to making sense of the explosion of information available to everyone today. Learning the basic steps of the research process is a key component of information literacy.

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The research process is a series of steps. Most often you complete one step before moving onto the next. However, there may be times when you will need to return to a previous step or complete multiple steps simultaneously.

Step 1. Develop Your Topic   Developing a good research question can sometimes be the most difficult part of the research process. Watch Developing a Topic and take Quiz 1

Step 2. Search Strategies  What is a search term? Brainstorm for ideas. Watch Generating Search Terms and take Quiz 2

Step 3. Find Credible Sources  Learn why library research databases are your best choice for college level research. Watch What Is a Library Database? and take Quiz 3.

Step 4. Popular and Scholarly Sources  Learn the difference between Popular and Scholarly Articles. Watch Popular and Scholarly Sources and take Quiz 4.

Step 5. Evaluating Sources  How can you tell if a source is reliable and appropriate for your assignment? Watch Evaluating Internet Sources and take Quiz 5

1. Students will be able to define an information need in order to construct an effective research strategy. 

2. Students will be able to construct an effective research strategy in order to identify a variety of relevant information sources. 

3. Students will be able to identify and select relevant information sources in order to analyze and interpret the information. 

4. Students will be able to analyze and interpret information in order to evaluate, synthesize and draw conclusions.

Following the steps below will help you developing a good research question.

1. Select a topic
2. Develop research questions
3. Identify keywords
4. Find background information
5. Refine your topic

Take the Developing a Topic Quiz below.
Either save and email Or print and turn in it to your instructor.

Video used with permission from Cooperative Library Instruction Project under Creative Commons license cc-by-nc-sa.

Before you can begin searching for information in a print or online resource, you need to identify keywords related to your topic. Key terminology can be found easily by scanning:

• Your initial research questions,
• Encyclopedia and other articles used when conducting background research,
• Bibliographies found at the end of books and articles.

If you are still struggling, then try these suggestions:

• Use a thesaurus to identify synonyms.
• Find pictures related to your topic, then describe the picture.
• Brainstorm keywords with a librarian, your instructor, or a friend.

Take the Generating Search Terms Quiz below.
Either save and email Or print and turn in it to your instructor.

Video used with permission from Cooperative Library Instruction Project under Creative Commons license cc-by-nc-sa.

Article databases provide you with 24-7 access to thousands of popular magazine, newspaper, and scholary journal articles via the Internet.
The UK Libraries catalog is another type of database. It will show you resources owned by the UK Libraries and where they are located  and will also lead to books and other materials owned by Libraries worldwide.

• Find Books
• Find Popular & Scholarly Articles
• Check to see if there is a Research Guide that covers your subject area or topic.

Take the What Is a Library Database Quiz.
Either save and email Or print and turn in it to your instructor.

Video used with permission from Cooperative Library Instruction Project under Creative Commons license cc-by-nc-sa.

Once you have identified some key terminology, the next step is to find background information on your topic. Background research serves many purposes.

• If you are unfamiliar with the topic, it provides a good overview of the subject matter.
• It helps you to identify important facts related to your topic: terminology, dates, events, history, and names or organizations.
• It can help you refine your topic.
• Background research might lead you to bibliographies that you can use to find additional sources of information on your topic.

REFERENCE UNIVERSE indexes the contents of the entire reference collection, both print and electronic, owned by the University of Kentucky Libraries.
Reference Universe

START YOUR RESEARCH in REFERENCE UNIVERSE in the BOX BELOW (type any word/phrase, then press enter)

GALE VIRTUAL REFERENCE LIBRARY is an e-collection of full-text encyclopedias and other specialized reference sources on many different subjects. GVRL titles also show up in Reference Universe.

Call Number Explained

Take the Popular and Scholarly Sources Quiz.
Either save and email Or print and turn in it to your instructor.

Sample search terms for databases

anorexia and treatment
child soldiers
gambling and "economic aspects"
popular culture

When searching for journal articles, you will notice the Get Text button on many of your search results. Clicking on the Get Text button will open a menu page which will show you where you can find the full-text of the article.

Frequently Asked Questions about Get Text

Take the Evaluating Internet Sources Quiz.
Either save and email Or print and turn in it to your instructor.

Knowing how to find relevant, reliable, and accurate, information can help you make informed decisions about things like graduate school, a new car purchase, financial aid options and more.
Use the criteria below to evaluate the information you find on websites and other sources. 

Authority
Author shows evidence of a high level of expertise
Website has a strong affiliation with a credible organization

Accuracy
Information on this site is well documented
Additional research supports the information on this site.
The site displays correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Relevance
Website is strongly related to my topic.
Website offers comprehensive coverage of the topic.

Currency
The information on this site is current.
The website has been updated recently.

Objectivity
The purpose, intent and audience of the site is clearly stated.
On this site, facts are presented as facts and opinions are presented as opinions.

Functionality
The site is well organized and easy to navigate.
The links, images, and other media on this site are present and working.

Adapted from A Practical Guide to Information Literacy Assessment for Academic Librarians by  Carolyn J. Radcliff, et al. Westport, CT. Libraries Unlimited, 2007.

Video used with permission from Cooperative Library Instruction Project under Creative Commons license cc-by-nc-sa.