Information Instruction Guides are short lessons designed to introduce students to specific aspects of information literacy. The universe of information is vast, and these guides are just a starting point to navigating the variety of resources available for research. Librarians are always happy to work with you to select and locate the best resources for your research.
For more information about the Grinnell College Libraries' Information Literacy Program, see our page about Information Literacy Instruction, and our Statement on Information Literacy.
Choosing a Topic for Research
You have an assignment, now how do you choose a research topic? Learn how to choose a research topic and narrow or broaden its focus using these simple strategies.
Creating Search Statements
Boolean searching allows you to expand or limit your search for information by using the terms AND, OR, and NOT. Learn how to create effective search statements using Boolean operators.
Using the Library Catalog
The Grinnell College Libraries offer a wealth of materials, including print and electronic books, journal titles, audio and video recordings, websites, and more. The library catalog is the gateway to searching for the resources you need. This instruction guide provides an introduction to using the library catalog.
Keywords vs. Subject Headings
In searching, keywords are words you choose, and subject headings are assigned by an expert. Each strategy will retrieve different materials in your searching. Learn the important differences between keywords and subject headings, and how to use them both to your advantage.
Internet Search Engines vs. Periodical Databases
What are the differences between Internet search engines and periodical databases? When should you use one or the other? Is one method better than the other for certain kinds of materials? Follow this guide to making your online searching more effective.
How to Choose a Periodical Database
A periodical database allows you to search multiple periodicals at the same time. But how do you select the most appropriate database from all the choices? Use this guide to choosing a periodical database to improve your ability to distinguish between the various databases.
Scholarly vs. Popular Periodicals
Psychology Today or Annals of the American Psychological Association ? Periodicals are created with a certain audience in mind, for a specific purpose, and different titles may be more appropriate for your research topic. Follow this guide to learn the differences between scholarly and popular periodicals.
Internet Search Strategies
Do you consistently get 10 million hits every time you search the Internet? How can you narrow your search to target the information that is most relevant to you? This guide provides some useful techniques for searching the Internet efficiently and effectively.
Evaluating Resources in Print and Electronic Formats
You've compiled your research materials, but how do you know if the resources you've selected are reliable, authoritative, and unbiased? This is a simple guide to evaluating various materials in all kinds of formats.
