The University Libraries Award for Information Literacy
The Libraries Information Literacy Award recognizes scholarly work based on a foundation of careful background research and literature review. The award is given to entries that demonstrate excellence in information literacy through the following: showcasing your research process and strategies; selection of sources that contribute to your argument and ideas; social, ethical, or economic considerations in accessing information; and credit and proper citation for any quotes, tables, graphs, images, and other content displayed.
Criteria definitions
Source selection
We want to know about the sources you selected to back up your research or sources that informed the work you did. Did the sources you selected support your project in a relevant and appropriate way?
Research process & search strategies
Before you began your project and during your project, how did you find information to support your research? What was your process in finding sources? We are interested in where you found your sources, what keywords you used to find your sources, and any other help you sought out in these stages of the research process.
Source integration
Research is not done in insolation. Your project is a part of a larger conversation in your discipline. We are looking at how you integrated previous research into your own work. How have you connected work done before you to your project? How have you helped your viewer understand the arguments and ideas you are putting forth in your project?
Citations
In your project, you should have proper citations for all graphs, images, charts, and other visual elements. Citations should also be included for any references you make to other scholarship or sources used to explain your project.
Social, ethical, or economic considerations in accessing information
Information is not always free. We are curious to know how you paid for or accessed the information you used for your project. How would your research have changed if you were only able to use open access or other free sources?
Still have questions?
The University Libraries is here to help! Stop by the Penn State Beaver Library.