Using Information Resources and Managing Information Sources

In this chapter, our goal is to learn the difference between information resources and information sources. We'll begin with learning how to find, select, and utilize various information resources. This will involve learning how to navigate through the information out there and pinpoint what's relevant for our needs. Example information resources include library search, academic databases, online journals, and digital libraries.

Once we learn how to locate information sources, we'll learn how to use a Reference Manager, with a special focus on Zotero. Reference managers, like Zotero, are used to support our research and information organization. Specifically, Zotero is an application that helps manage bibliographic data, source documents, and related research materials. We'll walk through its features, which include the basics of adding sources, creating notes, integrating Zotero in our browsers and word processor applications, and to generating bibliographies.

This section lays the foundation for the rest of the course. The skills and concepts you acquire and learn here will be integral to your success in managing information effectively, both in this course and in your broader academic or professional endeavors.