ACRL Information Literacy Frameworks

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Frameworks offer a structured approach to developing students' research and critical thinking skills. These frameworks emphasize essential competencies such as evaluating information sources, understanding ethical use of information, and navigating the complexities of the digital information landscape. By incorporating these frameworks into course content, we can empower students to become more proficient at finding, evaluating, and using information effectively. 

The ACRL information literacy frameworks include:

1. Authority is Constructed and Contextual
2. Information Creation as a Process
3. Information Has Value
4. Research as Inquiry
5. Scholarship as Conversation
6. Searching as Strategic Exploration

Authority is Constructed and Contextual

Students will be able to critically evaluate the credibility of information sources by understanding how authority is established and varies depending on the context and discipline.

Core skills:

• Evaluate Source Credibility: Assess the reliability and authority of information sources based on the creator’s expertise and qualifications.
• Understand Contextual Influence: Recognize how the context (e.g., academic, professional, public) affects the authority and relevance of information.
• Differentiate Authority Across Disciplines: Identify how authority may vary between different fields or disciplines and adjust evaluations accordingly.
• Apply Authority Appropriately: Use information in a manner that is appropriate for its context, acknowledging the varying levels of authority.
• Critically Analyze Authority Claims: Analyze and question claims of authority within sources to determine their validity and relevance in specific situations.

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Information Creation as a Process

Students will be able to identify the various processes and formats through which information is created, and assess how these factors influence the information’s credibility and purpose.

Core skills: 

• Identify Information Formats: Recognize different formats of information (e.g., articles, books, multimedia).
• Understand Production Processes: Explain the various processes involved in creating different types of information, including research, writing, and publishing.
• Evaluate Purpose and Audience: Assess how the intended purpose and target audience influence the creation and presentation of information.
• Analyze Information Credibility: Determine how the creation process impacts the credibility, accuracy, and reliability of information.
• Adapt Use of Information: Select and use information appropriately based on its creation process, format, and intended purpose.

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Information Has Value

Students will be able to recognize the different types of value information holds (economic, intellectual, social) and understand how this impacts its usage, accessibility, and the implications of its restriction or dissemination.

Core skills:

• Identify Types of Value: Recognize the different types of value that information holds (e.g, economic, intellectual, social).
• Understand Impact: Understand how the value of information affects its availability, use, and sharing.
• Navigate Access Issues: Address challenges related to information access, including understanding restrictions, copyright, and licensing.
• Assess Economic Impact: Evaluate how information's economic value affects its production, pricing, and availability.
• Apply Ethical Considerations: Use information responsibly by considering the ethical implications of how information is shared and utilized.

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Research as Inquiry

Students will be able to engage in research as an iterative process by formulating, refining, and adapting research questions based on ongoing findings and emerging information.

Core skills:

• Formulate Research Questions: Develop clear, focused research questions that guide the inquiry process.
• Conduct Iterative Searches: Engage in an ongoing process of searching, gathering, and refining information based on evolving questions and findings.
• Analyze and Synthesize Information: Evaluate and integrate diverse sources of information to address research questions and build understanding.
• Adjust Strategies: Modify research approaches and strategies based on new insights, feedback, and emerging information.
• Reflect on the Research Process: Assess and reflect on the effectiveness of research methods and the progress of inquiry to improve future research practices.

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Scholarship as Conversation

Students will be able to understand and participate in academic discourse by recognizing how scholarly work builds upon, responds to, and contributes to an ongoing conversation within a field.

Core skills:

• Recognize Scholarly Dialogue: Understand that academic work is part of an ongoing conversation among researchers and scholars.
• Engage with Existing Research: Read and interpret scholarly work to understand how it contributes to and interacts with existing research and debates.
• Build on Prior Work: Develop and present new ideas that build upon or respond to previous research, advancing the academic conversation.
• Critique Scholarly Contributions: Evaluate and critique the contributions of other scholars to the conversation, considering their relevance, strengths, and limitations.
• Contribute to the Conversation: Share original research and ideas in a way that engages with and contributes to the ongoing scholarly dialogue.

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Searching as Strategic Exploration

Students will be able to employ effective search strategies by exploring a range of information sources, evaluating their relevance, and refining their search approach to efficiently find and use the information needed.

Core skills: 

• Develop Search Strategies: Create effective search strategies by identifying relevant keywords, phrases, and search techniques.
• Explore Information Sources: Systematically explore a range of information sources to gather diverse perspectives and data.
• Evaluate Relevance: Assess the relevance and quality of search results to ensure they meet information needs.
• Refine Searches: Adjust and refine search strategies based on the effectiveness of initial results and new insights gained.
• Use Advanced Search Tools: Utilize advanced search tools and techniques, such as filters, Boolean operators, and database features, to enhance search efficiency and precision.

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