Information literacy is the set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective discovery of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning.
Association for College and Research Libraries, 2015
In other words, Information Literacy is about being literate to the cycles, processes, and impacts of information in our society and other societies. It is a huge area of study with branches that intertwine with other disciplines by necessity, so becoming explicitly aware of it contributes to your success in every area of your academic career.
The purpose of this guide is to introduce you to the information landscape and begin the conversation about where you fit into it. Before you dive into using the tools of research, take a look at this resource and consider the various components (e.i. the highlighted parts of the definition above) which will inform your research process.
This guide will equip you with a foundational understanding of information literacy, which you will build on over the course of the semester.