What is Information Literacy?
The School of Arts and Sciences and the University Library System are seeking your
participation in a research study on information literacy to assess the skills of graduating
students at the University of Pittsburgh. Information literacy is the ability to identify what
information is needed, and to critically evaluate, locate, and use the particular information.
Results from this test will help us to design more effective course curriculum and library
instruction for Arts and Sciences students.
What is SAILS?
The Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS) is an online assessment
of information literacy skills. The test is being administered to Arts and Sciences seniors now
through April 17.
How to take SAILS
Students should log into the University portal at http://my.pitt.edu. To access the SAILS site,
have your browser configured to accept cookies. Click on the SAILS Survey -- Seniors
button. A short welcome message will appear. Click Continue to begin the SAILS test, which
takes approximately 35 minutes. Students must answer every question for the assessment to
count. If you do not have enough time to finish the test, you can log in later to complete it.
All responses are anonymous. At the end of the test, you will see a “Thank You” page. Print
this page and return it to your advisor to acknowledge your completion of the test. If
the "Thank You” page does not appear, you can log back in to the portal and click the survey
button to print the “Thank You” page.
Results from this test will be available in May 2009. For more information, consult the
ULS Information Literacy site at http://www.library.pitt.edu/services/classes/infoliteracy/
or contact:
Marian Hampton, Coordinator of Library Instruction
hamptonm@pitt.edu
412-648-7770
Pat Duck, Coordinator of Regional University Library System Libraries
pmd1@pitt.edu
724-836-9689
Information Literacy Assessment
