Determining Your Information Needs

The type of information you need will depend upon the specific problem or assignment you've been given.

You have a handle on your research topic and have identified some good search terms representing the main concepts of your topic. Great!!! You are almost ready to search for information in different sources.

Before you begin searching for information, you’ll want to consider what the requirements are for your research project. By collecting the right kinds and needed amount of information, you will save time and paper!

 

What Type Of Assignment Is It?

Assignments can vary from a short 5 minute oral presentation,

 

to a senior project

 

 

How Much Information Do You Need?

Some assignments can be completed by consulting brief summaries or overviews

 

 

while other assignments require more detailed and comprehensive information.

 

 

Identifying Information Types.

**content modified from the CSU Information Competence Project ©1997