Academic Information Seeking Course from Coursera

Academic information seeking refers to the process by which individuals, particularly students, researchers, and academics, locate, retrieve, and use information for scholarly purposes. This process often involves several steps and can take place in various contexts, such as libraries, online databases, and academic conferences. Here are some key aspects and strategies involved in academic information seeking:
Key Aspects of Academic Information Seeking

  1. Defining the Information Need:
    • Understanding what specific information is required for a particular research question or academic task.
    • Formulating clear and precise research questions or hypotheses.
  2. Identifying Sources of Information:
    • Recognizing different types of sources, including primary sources (e.g., original research articles, historical documents) and secondary sources (e.g., review articles, textbooks).
    • Knowing where to find these sources, such as academic libraries, online databases (e.g., PubMed, JSTOR, Google Scholar), and institutional repositories.
  3. Effective Search Strategies:
    • Using keywords, Boolean operators, and search filters to refine search results.
    • Employing advanced search techniques, such as citation searching and subject-specific databases.
  4. Evaluating Information:
    • Assessing the credibility, reliability, and relevance of sources.
    • Critically analyzing the content for bias, methodology, and validity.
  5. Organizing and Managing Information:
    • Using reference management tools (e.g., EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley) to organize citations and sources.
    • Taking notes and summarizing key points from sources.
  6. Synthesizing Information:
    • Integrating information from multiple sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
    • Identifying gaps in the literature and areas for further research.
  7. Ethical Use of Information:
    • Properly citing all sources to avoid plagiarism.
    • Understanding and adhering to academic integrity policies.

Skills you will gain

Upon completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify your information need: Clearly define what information you require for your research.
  • Evaluate databases and other information resources: Assess the quality and relevance of various sources.
  • Set up search strategies and use various search techniques: Develop effective methods to locate information.
  • Formulate search strings based on your own research assignment: Create precise and effective search queries.
  • Identify relevant material types: Recognize different types of academic resources and their uses.
  • Undertake critical evaluation of your sources: Analyze the credibility and relevance of the information you find.
  • Search more efficiently on the internet: Use advanced search techniques to find reliable online information.
  • Avoid plagiarism: Understand and implement best practices for using information ethically.
  • Cite correctly: Properly reference all sources to give appropriate credit.
  • Work with reference management: Use tools to organize and manage your references effectively.
  • Document your search process: Keep a detailed record of your search strategies and results.

What you will learn

Course Structure
The course consists of 21 lectures organized into three modules. Each lecture includes small assignments and quizzes to check comprehension. The course is structured to provide a comprehensive guide to the information seeking process, making it most beneficial when accessed while working on an academic paper.
Module 1: Introduction to Information Seeking

  1. Understanding Information Needs
  2. Overview of Information Sources
  3. Developing a Search Strategy

Module 2: Search Techniques and Strategies

  1. Using Keywords and Boolean Operators
  2. Advanced Search Techniques
  3. Evaluating Databases and Online Resources
  4. Formulating Effective Search Strings
  5. Identifying and Accessing Different Material Types
  6. Critical Source Evaluation

Module 3: Documentation and Ethical Considerations

  1. Documenting Your Search Process
  2. Avoiding Plagiarism
  3. Citing Sources Correctly
  4. Using Reference Management Tools
  5. Effective Note-taking and Summarizing
  6. Review and Synthesis of Information
  7. Reporting Your Findings

Recommended Practices

  • Access Lectures While Working on an Academic Paper: To maximize the practical application of the concepts.
  • Follow the Structured Order: Each lecture builds on the previous one, ensuring a logical progression of skills.
  • Use the Log Book: A log book template is provided to document your search process throughout the course.

Course Development
This lecture series has been developed in collaboration between information specialists at the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark. It is designed for undergraduate students, but it is also beneficial for anyone interested in improving their scientific information seeking skills. There are no formal prerequisites to enroll in the course.

By following this course, you will gain valuable skills in finding, evaluating, and using academic information effectively, thereby enhancing your research capabilities and academic performance.