Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively for a specific purpose. It is a key skill in higher education, and all study programmes at the University of Inland Norway include learning outcomes designed to help students develop information literacy throughout their studies.

In academia, we often use the metaphor of "standing on the shoulders of giants," a phrase commonly attributed to Isaac Newton. The idea is that new knowledge is built upon existing knowledge and advances through examining, questioning, refining, and expanding previous research. As a student, this means that your assignments should be informed by and grounded in the scholarly literature and research within your field of study.

To do this successfully, you need to be able to find quality sources, evaluate them critically, and use them correctly and ethically. Developing these skills requires critical thinking and a willingness to ask questions about the information you encounter, such as: Who created the information? How was it created? Is it credible, relevant, and fit for your purpose?

As a result, information literacy encompasses several related skills:

Searching for relevant scholarly sources (literature searching)
Evaluating the quality, credibility, and relevance of sources (source criticism)
Using and citing sources correctly (referencing technique)
Maintaining academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism

In this learning path, you will begin by exploring source criticism and learning what to look for when evaluating potential sources. You will then learn how to use and cite sources correctly, ensuring that the work of others is properly acknowledged. Throughout both sections, you will also learn how to maintain academic integrity by using sources responsibly and avoiding plagiarism.