Learn information literacy skills online
During your studies, you'll often write papers, reports and eventually your thesis. For all these assignments, you need reliable information. But which sources do you actually need, and where can you find them? And how do you properly cite and reference? The e-learning modules on this page help you navigate today's complex information landscape.
The e-learning modules will help you learn how to find reliable information, think critically about your sources, and correctly cite and reference them in your work. You can complete each e-learning module separately and at your own pace. Each e-learning module contains assignments with clear explanations, so you can practice and directly apply the skills while learning.
Explore the e-learning modules
Information sources
This e-learning module helps you recognise different types of information sources and shows you which to choose depending on your goal.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Information sources
This e-learning module helps you recognise different types of information sources and shows you which to choose depending on your goal.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Search systems
In this e-learning module, you'll learn how to choose relevant search systems for your information need.
Expected time to complete: 30 minutes.
Orientate on a topic
In this e-learning module, you'll learn where and how to gather information for orientation on a research topic and how to focus your topic for a systematic search.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Literature search question and search terms
In this e-learning module, you'll learn how to formulate a literature search question, identify its concepts and find suitable search terms for your systematic search.
Expected time to complete: 30 minutes.
Search basic
In this e-learning module, you'll learn how to translate your literature search question into a search query to do a systematic search in the bibliographic database Scopus, how to improve your search results using the 'following a thread' strategy, and what AI-assisted literature exploration is.
Expected time to complete: 60 to 90 minutes.
Search advanced
In this e-learning module, you'll learn advanced techniques to build a systematic search query, how to adapt your query to search in various databases, when to stop searching and how to manage your search queries.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Perform a search in PubMed
PubMed is a bibliographic database on biomedicine, health and life sciences. In this e-learning module, you'll learn how to build search queries in PubMed using specific search techniques, field tags, and the MeSH database.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Evaluate your information sources
In this e-learning module, you'll learn how to evaluate the relevance and trustworthiness of information sources.
Expected time to complete: 45 minutes.
Cite & reference your information sources
In this e-learning module, you'll learn how to correctly cite and reference, how to avoid plagiarism, what sources to cite, how to make in-text citations, and how to write a reference list.
Expected time to complete: 60 minutes
Copyright
In this e-learning module, you’ll learn about Dutch copyright law, plagiarism, and copyright infringement. You’ll also find out who owns copyright and what their rights are, how to recognise and (re)use copyrighted materials, and what Creative Commons licenses are.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Research data
In this e-learning module, you'll learn what research data is, how to find and use it and how to properly manage and reference research data.
Expected time to complete: 30 to 60 minutes.
Copyright illustrations
Illustrations by Jørgen Stamp, licensed under CC BY 2.5 DK licence. Some images have been modified. Original files available at Wikimedia Commons.
Questions & contact
Are you a WUR student and would you like some help finding literature for your assignments or thesis? You can contact the Library's information specialists by filling out the form below. Are you a WUR teacher? We invite you to reach out to us to explore the options for integrating information literacy into your courses.
Curious to find out what else WUR Library can offer you?
Visit the Library's platform to access the Library’s databases and get a full overview of the Library’s services, tools, and support. You can contact a librarian anytime through the chat box on our website. We’re happy to help you!
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