Information Literacy at SKL for Graduate Students
Course Syllabus
Spring 2010
Instructors for Turkish speaking Students:
Ersan Dur : edur@ku.edu.tr Ext: 1327
Mithat Zencir : mzencir@ku.edu.tr Ext: 1660
Instructor for non-Turkish speaking students:
Sina Mater : smater@ku.edu.tr Ext: 1328
Purpose of the Course: This two week course is designed to introduce graduate students
to a wide variety of library resources, help them develop effective and efficient library
research skills, and assist them with successful completion of class assignments and thesis.
Course Description: This class will take students through the stages of a regular library
research. First lesson’s focus will be on understanding information literacy, defining sources
of information and using effective search strategies. Second lesson’s focus will be more on
evaluating information, finding statistics, thesis or images, being critical about Internet
resources and creating awareness about other library supported services. In addition,
students will learn bibliographic styles and how to use EndNote citation management
software.
Goals: An information-literate student at SKL will be able to:
1.
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Understand what information literacy is
Goals
Objectives
Standards
Content
2.
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Define the research topic, the need for information and resources
Defining sources of information (primary resources, reference resources)
Delineate formats of information
Differentiating among the types of reference sources (specialized encyclopedias,
article databases, citation indexes, bibliographies, library catalogs, web, search
engines, etc.) and the purposes of each
Using search terms appropriate to the research tool and the topic
Defining a manageable focus and timeline for completing the project


3. Develop and implement effective search strategies
 Using the library’s web site, online catalog, article databases, central search, and
other research tools effectively, in print and online

Advanced search techniques (Boolean operators, indexing, alert, citation, limitation,
save, print, export data)
4. Evaluate information
 Examining the content and the structure of the information
 Distinguishing between reliable and unreliable sources of information, scholarly and
popular sources, substantiated facts and points of view
 Using citation indexes to identify heavily cited sources and authors, and to find
sources that cite particular items. ( Impact Factor, Web of Science)
 Differences between Google / Google Scholar
 Intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism
5. Obtain additional sources and benefit from supported services
 Determining whether the information retrieved is relevant and sufficient for the
project or whether additional sources are needed
 Finding images
 Finding and obtaining dissertations (full text and print)
 Locating statistical sources
 Supported library services (ILL, Article Request, Inter-Campus Loan)
6. Organize and manage information
 Citation style
 Using EndNote citation management software
Course Calendar: The first lesson is scheduled for the beginning of the Spring Semester
2010, prior to the start of ENG500 Graduate Academic Writing course and the second
lesson will proceed the last ENG500 Graduate Academic Writing course of the semester.
Course Outline and Reading List:
Lesson 1: 15 February 2010
CLASS TOPICS
1. Understand what information literacy is
http://media.library.ku.edu.tr/reserve/resspring10/Information_Literacy/Bilgi_Okuryazarligi.ppt
Introducing the course content
An introduction to information literacy, goals, objectivities, standards
http://media.library.ku.edu.tr/sunum_dosyalari/Library_Tutorial.ppt
2. Define the research topic, the need for information and resources
 Defining sources of information: What are primary sources, reference sources?
http://www.wou.edu/provost/library/clip/tutorials/prim_sec.htm
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Using search terms appropriate to the research tool and the topic
 Determining keywords
http://www.wou.edu/provost/library/clip/tutorials/dev_topic.htm

Developing a realistic timeline of component tasks for completing your research project or
paper

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Differentiating among the types of reference sources (specialized encyclopedias, article
databases, citation indexes, bibliographies, library catalogs, web, search engines, etc.)
and the purposes of each
Using techniques in appropriate databases to focus in on relevant sources, and eliminate
inessential "Database selection wizard"
Questions and Group Discussion
Lesson 2: 17 February 2010
3. Develop and implement effective search strategies
 Using advanced search techniques in library online catalogs
http://libguides.ku.edu.tr/data/files//26305/catalogsearch.pdf

Using advanced search techniques in databases (Boolean operators, indexing, alert,
citation, limitation, save, print, export data)

Focusing on scholarly, peer reviewed materials in electronic databases
http://www.wou.edu/provost/library/clip/tutorials/pop_schol.htm
 Using "Central search"
http://www.ku.edu.tr/ku/images/SKL/central_search.jpg
 Using the "Journal" to search or browse through particular journal titles in your field.
http://www.ku.edu.tr/ku/images/SKL/journals_search.jpg
Questions and Group Discussion
Lesson 3: 12 April 2010
CLASS TOPICS
4. Evaluate information

Searching the web for scholarly materials; evaluating the results of Web searches for
accuracy and authoritativeness
http://www.library.georgetown.edu/tutorials/research-guides/evaluating-internet-content

Examining the content and the structure of the information

Differences between Google search and database search

Using citation indexes to identify heavily cited sources and authors, and to find sources that
cite particular items
http://science.thomsonreuters.com/training/wok/#recorded_training
 What is "impact factors"
http://thomsonreuters.com/products_services/science/free/essays/impact_factor/
 Understanding issues of academic integrity such as intellectual freedom; avoiding plagiarism
http://libguides.ku.edu.tr/content.php?pid=39627&sid=306723
5. Additional sources and supported services

Finding images

Locating statistical sources

Finding and obtaining dissertations

Using Interlibrary Loan services to access materials not in the SKL collections
http://media.library.ku.edu.tr/reserve/resspring10/Information_Literacy/ILL_services_update_January_19_2010_GGUN.doc
 Using Inter Campus Loan services
http://www.ku.edu.tr/ku/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=364&Itemid=3014&lang=en
Questions and Group Discussion
Lesson 4: 14 April 2010
6. Organize and manage information
What are the citation styles?
Using EndNote citation management software
http://www.endnote.com/training/tutorials/EndNoteX3/EndNote_X3.asp
Questions, Group Discussion and Survey
Assignment: A short survey will be e-mailed to the students before the course starts.
Returning the survey is mandatory and will help the instructor to calibrate the level during
the course. A similar survey will be asked to be filled after the second lesson.
Evaluation: Students with full attendance and complete assignments will be given a
certificate at the end of the course.