Information Skills

JONATHAN GRIX is Senior Lecturer in Political Studies in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK. He has published widely on the research process, including Demystifying the Research Process (2001), Research Methodologies in Contemporary German Studies (editor) (2002) and The Foundations of Research (2004).GERALD WATKINS is a Subject Advisor in Library Services at the University of Birmingham, UK. He has taught information skills to undergraduates and taught research postgraduates, as well as more specific sessions on official publications, statistical sources and reference management software for information services at the University of Birmingham.

'I think that this is a well thought out and promising proposal which has the potential to sell well. Grix has a good track record in this area and careful thought has been given to the structure of the book and how the material can be effectively communicated to the target audience.' - Wyn Grant, University of Warwick, UK The proposal is clearly organised, balanced, up-to-date and well-written. There is surely a large market for guides to information skills, especially in an electronic age, and especially if the focus is on making intelligent use of sources, not merely finding them.' - Martin Harrop, University of Newcastle, UK ' My first reaction was that it is a good idea in principle to have something like this - there are a number of things around on using the web effectively but I'm not aware of a good text which just concentrates on the whole concept of becoming an information literate student from the student's point of view.' - Peter Maggs, HASS Faculty Liaison Officer, University of Newcastle, UK

• AcknowledgementsIntroductionPART I: FOUNDATIONSBack to Basics Understanding and Categorising Research MaterialThe Literature ReviewPART II: FINDING RESOURCES: WHAT, WHERE AND HOWOnline Resources Provided by Libraries and the Academic Community: Part I: Journals and BooksOnline Resources Provided by Libraries and the Academic Community: Part II: Other ResourcesGoing it Alone on the InternetReferencing and PlagiarismSummary of Concluding PointsPART III: GLOSSARYGlossaryBibliographyIndex.