About Information Skills

Information skills enable students to find their way through the labyrinth of academic information now available via university libraries. Time invested in developing information skills results in learners who are more efficient and effective in finding and applying the right information.

Use the experts – ask your Liaison Librarian.
Finding the right information to support your studies is a complex activity. No matter how computer literate you are the nature of the information packages which university libraries now purchase grows increasingly sophisticated and our Academic Liaison Team are your link to understanding how to use these. They are subject specialists who can help you understand the nature of the information which you can access through the QM Library web pages.

Complexity of Information
Students are expected to search for information in a variety of mediums (print and electronic), through a range of different sources, sometimes using passwords, sometimes not. Information skills sessions introduce you to databases, search engines, information gateways, portals and web sites, which you will need to use when searching for information, before applying that information in your assignment. In addition to this, much of your study at degree level will be multidisciplinary. This means that you will need to become familiar with a wider range of electronic resources than simply your specific subject area.

Information Skills explained:
You will be expected to access, evaluate, organise and apply information in order to learn, problem solve and make decisions at work, at home and at university. Information skills teaching will demonstrate good practice in planning and preparation before searching and will offer guidance on the best ways to search the library’s electronic databases.

Route to learning Information Skills:
To help you to develop these skills the Liaison Team at QM will be teaching you information skills by arrangement with your tutors or you can book workshops.

Book your own Information Skills Training:
There are two ways to book your own Information Skills training
1. The Liaison Team offers bookable workshops throughout the year to all students.
2. If a group of students (a minimum of 6 students) want to organise a workshop or training session contact your Liaison Librarian . Please note that we need at least 10 working days (so that we can book a workshop and relevant equipment) and a period of at least one hour.

Information Skills training any time anywhere:
The Liaison Team have created a series of presentations which anyone can access through the library web pages. These can be worked through in your own time and at your own pace. They can be watched/listened to as a whole or can be dipped into to answer specific information queries.

Will Information Handling Skills get me a job?
The good news is that information skills are extremely transferable skills which you will be able to adapt and use in all of your future transactions both personal and professional. These skills are considered to be a key characteristic of lifelong learning and are strongly connected to critical and reflective thinking. Employers regularly rate these skills very highly and of course they will also pay dividends in the quality of your academic work.

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