LIB 1600: Introduction to College Level Research

LIB 1600: Introduction to College Level Research is a 1 credit, half-semester course required for all undergraduate degrees at ISU. The course guides students through the fundamentals of college-level research including finding, evaluating, and using information. It focuses on teaching skills students can apply in all of their classes and their daily lives.

This course provides students with a step-by-step approach to the research process. Students learn about creating research questions, using effective search strategies, critically evaluating sources, and using information ethically.

After taking this course, students will be able to:

• Recognize that research is a contextual process based on their needs.
• Develop relevant search terms from a research question.
• Utilize flexible strategies for locating information within a variety of search tools.
• Evaluate information critically in their coursework and daily lives.
• Recognize best practices for using information ethically.
• Identify the resources and support available through the library.

The previous edition of the free online textbook for LIB 1600 is available in many formats, including .pdf, .epub, and .mobi. A new edition is coming soon. 

If you are currently enrolled in LIB 1600 and have questions, log into Canvas and contact your instructor for help!

In 2022, the name of the course was changed from "Information Literacy" to "Introduction to College-Level Research" to avoid the use of jargon that may be confusing to students and better reflect the course content. The new name aligns more accurately with the core objectives of the course, which focus on equipping students with foundational research skills essential for success in their college courses.

This change also focused on keeping LIB 1600 relevant to the ever-evolving information landscape our students face. The rapid growth of digital content, the rise of artificial intelligence tools, and the increasing importance of open-access materials have significantly transformed how information is created, shared, and accessed. Understanding how to navigate this complex and shifting landscape is critical to students' success.

Our updated course content ensures students are not just learning static concepts but instead are developing adaptable research skills that will serve them throughout their academic careers and beyond. The course now includes instruction on newer tools and platforms for research, ethical considerations about the use of AI, and strategies for evaluating information. The course teaches students to recognize and deal with many of the challenges associated with the fast-paced digital world of information, such as bias, misinformation, and more. These critical thinking skills are essential not only for academic success but also for navigating the broader societal and professional environments they will encounter after graduation.