Contents
This page provides a summary of each of the seven sections within Safari, and links to the topics within each section.
Section 1 – Understanding information
This section looks at what we mean by information and discusses the pleasures and perils of living in an Information Age. It offers a framework for looking at different types of information used both in studying and in daily life. Finally it addresses the first skill - that of ‘knowing what you need to know’.
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – What is information?
Topic 3 – The information age
Topic 4 – Everyday uses
Topic 5 – Types of information
Topic 6 – Information universe
Topic 7 – Mapping sources
Topic 8 – Identifying needs
Topic 9 – Summary
Section 2 – Unpacking information
This section addresses the origins of information, introducing the idea of the 'information supply chain'. Categories of information are suggested and sources mapped to begin to address the question ‘here to look?’
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – Information journeys
Topic 3 – Supply chain
Topic 4 – Research supply chain
Topic 5 – Categorising information
Topic 6 – Shape of the literature
Topic 7 – Finding information
Topic 8 – Summary
Section 3 – Planning a search
This section goes through the steps of planning a specific search for information, introducing the systems and tools to be used.
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – Describing information
Topic 3 – Databases
Topic 4 – Library catalogues
Topic 5 – World Wide Web
Topic 6 – Which to use?
Topic 7 – Planning a search
Topic 8 – Choosing resources
Topic 9 – Summary
Section 4 – Searching for information
This section introduces the basic principles of searching and then applies these in a practical way to searching library catalogues, bibliographic databases, and the World Wide Web.
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – Basic principles
Topic 3 – Databases
Topic 4 – Library catalogues
Topic 5 – World Wide Web
Topic 6 – Tracking progress
Topic 7 – Your subject
Topic 8 – Summary
Section 5 – Evaluating information
This section focuses on the concept of information quality. It suggests a generic framework for evaluating different kinds of information (print and electronic) and suggests ways in which information can be filtered.
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – Information quality
Topic 3 – Presentation
Topic 4 – Relevance
Topic 5 – Objectivity
Topic 6 – Method
Topic 7 – Provenance
Topic 8 – Timeliness
Topic 9 – Summary
Section 6 – Organising information
This section discusses the importance of organising information systematically and suggests a number of methods and techniques. It introduces the principles and practice of effective citation and the presentation of bibliographies.
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – Why organise?
Topic 3 – Ways to organise
Topic 4 – Using bookmarks
Topic 5 – Citing references
Topic 6 – Bibliographies
Topic 7 – Summary
Section 7 – Where do I go from here?
This final section suggests some ways in which the information skills introduced in the course can be further developed and maintained. It also discusses ways in which information can be shared within the academic community.
Topic 1 – Introduction
Topic 2 – Sharing information
Topic 3 – Electronic communication
Topic 4 – Keeping up-to-date
Topic 5 – Summary