Managing research information

Introduction to the course

Tristram Hooley
Professor of Career Education
Information is everything
What lies at the heart of every living thing is not a
fire, not warm breath, not a spark of life. It is
information, words and instructions. If you want a
metaphor, dont think of fires and sparks and breath.
Think instead of a billion, digital characters carved in
tablets of stone.

Dawkins (1986)
Making you a better researcher
This course is about making you a better researcher.

Information and an ability to find and manage it underpins all
research.

Advancing your discipline is only possible if you know what
has already been done.
Research is social and iterative
If I have seen
farther than others, it
is because I stood
on the shoulders of
giants.

Isaac Newton

Overview of the course
The course is conceived over 8 weeks. This introductory
session is week 1.
The rest of the course is structured around the SCONUL Seven
Pillars of Information Literacy.

Where does research information come from?
Things happen that we
can observe
But it is only when we
record them or tell people
about them that they
become research
information
Where do we typically find this information

Where else?

In other words
Research information
is everywhere!
SCONUL Seven Pillars

In summary
Effective use of research information is an essential skill
for a researcher.
Research information is everywhere, but there is skill in
knowing where to start looking.
Information doesnt have to be written down but can also
exist within social and professional networks.
The SCONUL Seven Pillars provide a structure for
thinking about and developing information literacy.
www.derby.ac.uk/icegs
Tristram Hooley
Professor of Career Education
International Centre for Guidance Studies
University of Derby
http://www.derby.ac.uk/icegs
t.hooley@derby.ac.uk
@pigironjoe

Blog at
http://adventuresincareerdevelopment.wordpress.com