Information Ecosystem
Unit Learning Objectives
- Articulate the differences between types of sources, with regards to the information lifecycle, the information creation process and identifying characteristics of each source type.
- Identify when use of each type of source is appropriate.
Unit Overview
This unit helps you select sources based on your research needs, the lifecycle of information, and the context of your work. You’ll get to know different types of sources like scholarly articles, books, trade publications, magazines, news, multimedia, and social media by looking at their credibility, purpose, audience, and how best to use them. You’ll also explore tools for checking peer review, creating research plans, and understanding the value of multiple, and sometimes conflicting, perspectives. We’ll take a closer look at generative AI, including how to spot AI hallucinations and why critical thinking matters when using newer technologies in your research.
This unit contains content that may help fulfill the UW-Green Bay Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes for Information Literacy, specifically:
IL 2: Students will critically evaluate sources of information, considering both the expertise and credibility of the creators and the contextual factors that influence the information’s creation, dissemination, and purpose.
