What are information skills?

Before we define the concept of information skills, we need to be aware of the fact that different expressions are often found in the literature available, including information skills, digital literacy or information literacy. Information literacy is a concept that was introduced in the 1970s and is now used as a matter of course to refer to skills associated with access to and management of information in the so-called knowledge society and in terms of the massive growth of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

What we call information skills can be defined according to the standards established by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL-ALA), in January 2000, as the set of abilities, attitudes and knowledge requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information".

In other words:

  • Identify which types of information resources are the most suitable for each information need.

  • Be able to use information sources.

  • Exercise quality control when selecting the information: evaluate the appropriateness and relevance of the information selected.

  • Use, change and communicate the information effectively with regard to a specific need and do so ethically.

 

In short, it is these skills that provide people with sufficient information autonomy to update and expand their knowledge, access information, use services and create new knowledge based on the information obtained. To summarise further, it is the ability of an individual to obtain the most relevant information to meet a specific information need.

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