The intersection of information and science literacy

Abstract

To achieve higher science literacy, both students and the public require discipline-specific information literacy in the sciences. Scientific information literacy is a core component of the scientific process. In addition to teaching how to find and evaluate resources, scientific information literacy should include teaching the process of scholarship as a conversation and publication in the sciences. Faculty and librarians can be challenged in their efforts to teach students because of limited access to published research. Stronger scientific information literacy and more access to scholarly research could improve science literacy as a whole.