Step 2: Source Information Literacy

Source Where can you look for information to help answer your search question? Information sources can include people as well as written and electronic materials. Colleagues, family, friends, books and online databases are all potentially valuable sources of information. At this stage you need to decide which of the available resources are most likely to provide the answer to your search question.

Learning outcomes This unit aims to support you to develop skills associated with the Source step of the information literacy cycle. It will enable you to: – identify a range of different information and knowledge sources; – consider which sources are most likely to be useful for your search question; – understand why some information sources may be more helpful than others in the context of a particular information need.

Different information sources You’ve formulated your search question and identified search terms in the Question step of the information literacy cycle outlined in unit 1. There are many different sources of information and knowledge that can help you with your search question. One of the most fundamental distinctions between sources of knowledge is that between explicit knowledge that can be found in articles, books and other documents; and implicit knowledge that people carry around in their heads.

Knowledge: explicit, implicit and tacit Explicit knowledge is knowledge that has been articulated in, for example, journal articles, maps, diagrams, documents and procedures. Implicit knowledge is knowledge that people carry in their heads but hasn’t been articulated (written down) Tacit knowledge refers to the things we know that can’t be articulated (i.e written down). Examples include recognizing faces or knowing how to ride a bike.

Sources Bibliographic databases Primary sources Secondary sources Reference sources Academic journals Books Audio / visual materials Internet resources Search engines Portals Intranets

Recognising the right source for your information need SituationSource You’ve just started a new job in a local authority and you’ve been asked to familiarise yourself with the authority’s health and safety regulations. The authority’s intranet You want to find research evidence on the needs of children of substance-misusing parents and the interventions that best support them. A bibliographic database You’ve been asked to do some research on approaches to restorative justice to inform the work of an agency service improvement group. You don’t have time to search for this information in lots of different places. A portal You’ve been asked to arrange the office Christmas party in a city centre location. A search engine

Activity 1 1.You want to find some research on the effectiveness of a new drug to treat dementia. Which source(s) would you use to find this information and why? a) a colleague b) your agency’s intranet c) a search engine d) a bibliographic database e) a book f) a portal 2. You want to find a charity that specialises in supporting children with learning difficulties. Which source would you use to find this information? a) a colleague b) your agency’s intranet c) a search engine d) a bibliographic database e) a book d) a portal

Activity 1 continued… 3. A colleague recommends a journal article to you. You have the title but don’t know which journal it is in. What would you use to find out? a) a colleague b) your agency’s intranet c) a search engine d) a bibliographic database e) a book f) a portal 4. You want an overview of a particular mental health problem, including a definition of it and references to other relevant material. Which of the below is likely to be the most useful source? a) a colleague b) your agency’s intranet c) a search engine d) a bibliographic database e) a book f) a portal

Activity 2 Google is a hugely popular search engine indexing many millions of web resources and is one of the first ports of call for many web users. What do you think are the pros and cons of Google as a tool for locating information to inform professional decision-making?

Further reading Recommended Search Engines: Tacit, Implicit and Explicit Knowledge: ure%20of%20tacit,%20implicit%20and%20explicit%20know%E2%80%A6.pdf ure%20of%20tacit,%20implicit%20and%20explicit%20know%E2%80%A6.pdf Evaluating Sources of Information: Published Sources: Finding information in health and lifestyle: Resources:

References Gannon-Leary, P. (2006). Glut of information, dearth of knowledge? A consideration of the information needs of practitioners identified during the FAME project. Library Review, 55(2), Harrison, J., Hepworth, M., & De Chazal, P. (2004). NHS and social care interface: A study of social workers' library and information needs. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 36(1), Horder, W. (2007). 'Reading' in professional practice: How social work practice assessors access knowledge and information. British Journal of Social Work, 37,

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