INFORMATION COMPETENCE VOCABULARY

Karin Duran, Ph.D.

abstract

A general summary of contents usually related to periodical articles

analytical thinking

The process of looking at the pieces/components to gain an understanding of the whole. Break the ideas open and dig underneath the surface to understand

annotated bibliography

A list of information sources on a subject with specific notes on each source

annotation

A note that specifically relates source to the topic of your research

archives

A repository for preserved public or historical documents

ASRS

Automated storage and retrieval system. Compact storage system that uses robotics to store/retrieve little-used materials

atlas

A book of maps

bibliographic citation

The complete identifying publication information for a source. Usually includes the author's name, title(s), publication date, etc.

bibliography

A citation list of sources on a subject

blog

An online personal journal consisting of personal observations, reflections, comments, excerpts from other sources, and often hyperlinks typically run by a single person

Boolean logic

The method used to specify the relationship between terms when using indexing sources. Uses the words "and", "or", and "not" to express the relationship. Example:
(Chicanos or Chicanas or Mexican Americans) not (Hispanics or Hispanic Americans) and marriage

bound periodicals

Individual issues of periodicals that have been joined together under one hard cover

browser

Short for web browser; search engine, a software program for searching and viewing web pages

call number

The classification/codes numbers with letters assigned to library material based on subject. Used to systematically shelve or store material

capture

To save/download information to a hard or floppy disk

catalog

An inventory/indexing device that systematically and descriptively lists items

CD ROM

Compact Disk Read-Only Memory. Electronic storage device for information read by lasers. Often contain periodical indexes.

circulation desk

Service desk where materials are checked out. Usually also the site where a "search" or a "hold" may be placed.

citation

Complete identifying, bibliographic information giving the exact publication information for a source

controlled vocabulary

Thesaurus of subject headings or descriptors from a predetermined list of possible terms that reflect the content of the item. Many databases have an online thesaurus which provides the controlled words or phrases used for that database

creative thinking

The process of developing new ideas or solutions to problems through the use of analytical and critical thinking

critical thinking

The process of effectively examining and questioning information in order to weigh evidence and make choices and/or take action

database

Organized collection of related information. Can be bibliographic with summaries/abstracts or full-text.

debit card

A credit card sized, plastic card that electronically debits/subtracts charges for copies made or printed

default

A word, action, and/or procedure that is assumed and taken unless other, overriding information or instructions are commanded

descriptor

A word that describes the subject/content of a source; a subject term/controlled vocabulary terms

directory

An alphabetical or classified list usually giving names and addresses

document delivery

Process for obtaining a document not owned. May be printed, interlibrary loaned, faxed, emailed, or ordered through such services as Academic Search Elite, Ingenta, FirstSearch, or Find Text. See also Interlibrary Loan.

domain name

suffix added to end of www address that identifies the organization providing information to the server. Examples are: .edu, .com, .org, .mil, .net, .gov

download

The act of saving or "capturing" electronic information to a hard or floppy disk or portable memory drive

electronic journal

A regularly published periodical that is distributed electronically journal and usually includes all the same information as a print version

endnotes

Notes, including bibliographic citations, found at the end of a document

fields

Indexing elements/categories such as descriptor (subject), author, journal, date, title that can usually be searched.

footnote

Found at the bottom of the page, complete bibliographic information for sources cited on that page. Includes specific page numbers for each citation.

forward/preface

Introductory text section that summarizes or details the purpose and content of the book

full-text index / database

Periodical index in which the indexing includes all the words from the text entered on computer

full title

Short title + subtitle. Required in bibliographic citations

gateway

A web site that serves as an interface or entry point to another network

holdings

Specific items that a library owns or "holds"

home page

The first or introductory screen on a web site

HTML

hypertext markup language; coding used in design of web pages

http

hypertext transport protocol; command that takes you to location

hyperlink

element in an electronic document that links to another place. Most essential ingredient of all hypertext systems

hypertext

highlighted text that has links; heavily cross-referenced text links. A special type of database system in which objects can be creatively linked to each other

ill.

An abbreviation for illustration. Indicates that material contains graphic information.

index

A device, usually alphabetical, which indicates the specific location of the contents of a source. Also a tool to locate an specific citation for a periodical article

Information competence

The ability to identify an information need and to find, evaluate, effectively use and communicate appropriate information

information desk

A service desk where general and directional questions can be answered

Interlibrary loan (I.L.L.)

The process of one library borrowing materials from another library. See also document delivery.

internet

An international network of computers originally established for military and scientific communication which has grown to include educational, commercial, and recreational uses

IP address

Internet provider (AOL, campus server, etc.) address which may look like this: 130.166.59.59

ISP

Internet service provider

Java

A programming language based on C++ software that permits more flexibility in accessing files like video clips by retrieving a software application known as an "applet"

journal

A scholarly/academic/professional periodical publication

keywords

Significant or important words/phrases that describe the contents or topic. Often used for indexing purposes. May be found in the title abstract, text, etc.

 

list of works cited

Bibliographic citations for specific sources cited within a work

microform

The reduced format of material that originally appeared in print. Can be either microfilm, microfiche, or microcard

Netscape

A graphical browser software program that facilitates the use of the internet

online

Direct electronic interaction

online catalog

The computerized list/inventory of library's materials

outline

Organization of ideas for research paper into clear, logical categories with main heading or topic sentences and one or more levels of subheadings

paraphrase

The act of using your own words to express the idea of another. A restatement giving the meaning in different words

parenthetical references

Common convention using parenthesis for citing and giving credit to sources within text whether quoted directly or paraphrased. Also known as "in-text" references.

PDF

Portable document format. An Adobe Acrobat desktop publisher application format that "captures" and displays the original look of a formatted document for viewing on a monitor.

peer-reviewed

Scholarly/academic articles that are read by academic or scholar "peers" for advice and evaluation of content when submitted for publication. Peers recommend to the editor/editorial board whether the article should be published as is, revised, or rejected. Also sometimes know as "refereed" articles

periodical

An information source that is published on a regular/periodic schedule

plagiarism

The act of stealing or passing off another's words or ideas as your own. The use of information within your writing from another source without appropriate reference or credit given.

popular sources

Sources intended for general audiences

portal

One-stop web site that serves as a gateway to Internet and features targeted content and services.

protocol

Standard procedure/steps

proximity searching

Search technique that allows locational limits for searching terms. Proximity refers to the relationship that items develop when they are close together. Proximity operators are words or symbols (connectors) placed between search terms to specify the order and closeness of the search terms. Proximity operators are particularly useful when searching the Web or full-text databases. For example: "college w/5 graduation" will search or the first word within 5 words of the second word.

PURL

Persistent uniform resource locator. A system that connects an old and unusable web address to the new, useable address

qualitative research

A research methodology that includes an inquiry process of understanding a social/human problem through the words of the informants and conducted in a natural setting. Also known as the traditional, positivist, experimental, or empirical approach or the interpretative approach

quantitative research

A research methodology that inquires into a social or human problem based on testing a theory composed of variables, measured in numbers and analyzed with statistical procedures for predictive abilities

record

A complete and individual set of information that identifies each item in a "results" list which is produced by a database search. Generally, the records in the results list are bibliographic citations with specific information for each book and/or periodical article identified by the search.

reference desk

Service desk where librarians answer questions regarding sources, tools and strategies for information access

references

Complete bibliographic citations for specific sources cited. Found at the end of the written research and includes specific page numbers

refereed

Scholarly/academic articles that are read by academic or scholar "referees" for advice and evaluation of content when submitted for publication. Referees recommend to the editor/editorial board whether the article should be published as is, revised, or rejected. Also sometimes know as "peer-reviewed" articles

reserve book room (RBR)

Service desk where materials are placed on a limited loan basis

scholarly source

A source written by scholars or experts in the subject. An example of a scholarly periodical is called a journal. Scholarly sources usually include a list of references and the credentials of the scholar

search engine

A software tool that simplifies subject searching on the Internet

short title

The first part of the title statement that proceeds the subtitle and the first point of punctuation

SMGL

Standardized generalized markup language coding which is used in the design of web pages

spiders

An automatic program that retrieves web pages and links in response to the use of a search engine, such as Alta Vista. Also sometimes known as a webcrawler. Spiders may work simultaneously and in parallel.

stacks

Shelves where the books or other library materials are placed

subtitle

The portion of the title that follows the short title that usually explains or describes the contents of the source. Needed for correct bibliographic references.

table of contents

A list/outline of the information contained in a source arranged with page numbers in the order in which the information appears. Outlines and organizes contents

truncation

The shortening and use of word roots in searching that allows for variant spellings of desired terms

URL

Uniform/Universal Resource Locator; internet address; case sensitive

user-friendly

Easily understood and available instructions

web portal

A service or web site that offers a wide selection of resources, i.e. a search engine

wiki

An interactive, collaborative web site that lets people freely create and edit Web content using any Web browser. From the term "wiki-wiki" (very quickly) in Hawaiian. (Wikipedia.org)

works cited

The sources to which references are made within a research paper. May differ from the bibliography for a work.

world wide web

Also known as WWW. The hypertext part of the internet. Includes graphics and the ability to link easily between internet/web sites.

This page was created by Karin Duran and maintained by Mary S. Woodley. Any questions or comments can be sent to Karin.Duran@csun.edu.

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