PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPING INFORMATION SEARCH AND SELECTION SKILLS

ABSTRACT

The development of strong information searching and selecting skills is essential in navigating the vast and often overwhelming amount of data available today.  This paper discusses the basic principles for building information searching and selecting skills. It describes the significance of information searching and selecting skills in the present information environment. Methods to improve critical thinking, evaluating information, or extracting the required information effectively have been discussed in the paper to process information effectively. Mastery of these skills not only improves academic and professional outcomes but also fosters lifelong learning and informed citizenship in an increasingly digital world.

АННОТАЦИЯ

Развитие навыков эффективного поиска и отбора информации имеет важное значение для работы с огромным и зачастую подавляющим объемом данных, доступных сегодня. В данной статье рассматриваются основные принципы формирования навыков поиска и отбора информации. Описывается значимость этих навыков в современной информационной среде. В статье обсуждаются методы улучшения критического мышления, оценки информации и эффективного извлечения необходимой информации для эффективной обработки данных. Овладение этими навыками не только улучшает академические и профессиональные результаты, но и способствует непрерывному обучению и формированию осознанной гражданской позиции в мире, все более ориентированном на цифровые технологии.

Keywords: information search, selection skills, critical evaluation, information literacy, search strategies, source credibility.

Ключевые слова: поиск информации, навыки отбора информации, критическая оценка, информационная грамотность, стратегии поиска, достоверность источников.

Introduction. In today’s world where massive amounts of data are generated online, learning to conduct efficient research for selecting worthwhile information is necessary. This is not only necessary for conducting research at the academic level but also for making informed decisions in the business as well as daily lives of individuals. Effective training in such information searches helps one stay off incorrect information.

Materials and methods. The study primarily relies on the analysis and synthesis of opinions and theories presented by leading scholars in the field of information literacy and search skills development. Through a comprehensive review of academic articles, the principles and strategies for effective information search and selection were analyzed more deeply.

Results and discussion. Firstly and foremost is the recognition of the importance of information searching and selection skills. It is a fact that in the academic, business, and daily life environment, an individual perpetually searches for information in order to solve a problem, make a decision, or gain new knowledge. However, in the absence of the right information skills [1], it is not difficult to find one’s self swamped with information that is of poor quality and of little relevance. Therefore, the development of specific skills to effectively search and evaluate information cannot by any means be emphasized enough because such skills have a direct effect on an individual’s efficiency within a knowledge-based society. One of the prime concepts involved in the development of such skills is that of critical thinking. By critical thinking, an individual is able to question the validity and reliability of the source of the information that he/she is presented with, rather than accepting it at a mere face value.

An important skill associated with critical thinking is the ability to judge information sources. With the advent of digital technology and the use of social media tools, the quality of information available can be varied. A proper evaluation of the information needs consideration of the qualifications of the writer, the date of publication, the format of the publication, and the process of checking through peer reviews. A proper alignment of information and the original search question must also be considered in this process of evaluation. Evaluation is not the sole area that is given prime importance. Extraction of the needed information in an efficient manner from the source is also highly crucial. This includes recognition of the crucial information, synthesis of the information from the different sources, and summarization of the complex information. Functions such as scanning and note-taking assist in the efficient handling of a massive amount of information. These techniques help the users concentrate more on the crucial information.

The development of these skills often involves repeated practice and exposure to diverse types of information sources, including databases, academic journals, books, websites, and multimedia content. Educational programs and workshops that incorporate guided exercises, problem-solving tasks, and real-world scenarios can significantly enhance an individual’s competence in searching and selecting relevant information. Such interactive learning fosters deeper understanding and skill internalization. Moreover, awareness of search tools and techniques forms another foundational principle. Knowing how to use search engines effectively, applying Boolean operators, choosing appropriate keywords, and utilizing advanced search filters allows users to refine their information retrieval processes. This technological literacy complements critical thinking and evaluation skills by enabling more precise and efficient search outcomes.

Information literacy, a broader concept encompassing search and select ion, is closely tied to lifelong learning. As the information environment continually evolves, individuals must remain adaptable and willing to update their skills. Continuous reflection on one’s search habits, openness to new tools, and staying informed about emerging sources and trends contribute to sustained competence in managing information.

Finally, ethical considerations should guide information searching and selection practices. This includes respecting intellectual property rights, avoiding plagiarism, and acknowledging sources appropriately. Ethical use ensures the credibility of one’s work and promotes trustworthiness in information dissemination [2].

Today, information technologies are deeply penetrating all spheres of life. As a result of the development of digital technologies, access to information is expanding, and people are faced with the need to work with large amounts of information. Therefore, the issue of forming students' information culture is gaining urgent importance. Information culture includes not only the acquisition of technological knowledge, but also the skills of analyzing, sorting, effectively using information, and ensuring information security [3]. Having information literacy is important not only in the educational process, but also in the professional activities of students today. The ability to effectively use digital tools, select reliable information sources, process and analyze data plays a major role in a student's scientific research and independent development of their knowledge. Also, understanding the issues of information security and information ethics helps students act responsibly in the Internet environment. The introduction of innovative technologies into the educational process is important in developing students' information literacy. The effectiveness of the educational process can be increased with the help of electronic textbooks, multimedia educational resources, virtual laboratories and digital platforms. Also, organizing special seminars, practical classes and trainings for students on media literacy and digital security has a positive effect on the formation of information literacy

Experiments on the development of information literacy have shown that if students master the use of digital technologies and online platforms, their skills in scientific research and information sorting will be significantly improved. In particular, the use of digital tools in conducting scientific research creates great convenience for students. For example, finding and analyzing scientific articles through platforms such as Google Scholar, Scopus, and ResearchGate expands the scope of students' knowledge. Also, the results of information security trainings have shown that students acquire specific knowledge on protecting personal information, creating secure passwords, and avoiding threats on the Internet. This increases their ability to protect themselves in the digital environment. Studies conducted among students on information ethics and preventing plagiarism have shown that students who have an understanding of the correct use of digital educational resources develop the ability to respect copyright and rely on reliable sources in scientific work. However, some students still do not pay enough attention to copyright when using Internet resources. Therefore, it has been identified that universities and educational institutions need to introduce additional seminars and courses on information ethics. In addition, the results of the use of modern technologies in the development of information culture are also having a positive effect. For example, students using interactive learning platforms have the opportunity to master knowledge faster than in traditional education. Students' interest in the lesson has increased through the use of electronic libraries, virtual laboratories and multimedia resources [4]. Information searching and selecting skills are fundamental in managing the overwhelming volume of data available today, especially with the exponential growth of online content [5]. For example, when conducting academic research, a student must not only locate relevant articles through databases like Google Scholar or JSTOR but also critically evaluate the credibility of sources by examining authorship, publication date, and citations. This process helps avoid misinformation and ensures that conclusions are based on reliable evidence. Similarly, professionals in fields such as healthcare or finance rely on these skills to make timely decisions by discerning accurate and up-to-date information from vast databases and news sources. Improving these skills requires deliberate practice in critical thinking and source evaluation. Techniques like cross-referencing information from multiple reliable websites or using checklists to assess bias and accuracy enhance information selection. For instance, before accepting a health claim found online, one might verify it against trusted websites such as the CDC or WHO. Extracting precise information also involves identifying keywords and using advanced search operators to filter results efficiently.

Conclusion. The effective development of information search and selection skills should be systematic, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exercises. Teaching these skills improves the accuracy and efficiency of information retrieval and selection for lifelong learning capabilities. It is necessary to constitute principles such as clearly stated goals, critical evaluation, and adaptive strategies of search that will help people feel confident in any information environment.

References:

1. Lazonder, A. W. (2003). Principles for designing web searching instruction. Education and Information Technologies, 8(2), 179-193.
2. Hoeber, O. (2025, March). Design Principles for Exploratory Search Interfaces. In Proceedings of the 2025 ACM SIGIR Conference on Human Information Interaction and Retrieval (pp. 12-22).
3. Kuhlthau, C. C. (2025). Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and information services. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.  
4. Brettle, A. (2003). Information skills training: a systematic review of the literature. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 20, 3-9.
5. Жуланова, В. П., Кирюхина, Т. Л., & Фомичев, Р. С. (2019). Организация образовательной деятельности обучающихся с целью формирования навыков безопасного поиска информации на уроках информатики. Сибирский педагогический журнал, (1), 29-38.