Developing Information Literacy Skills for Tomorrow’s Music Industry Leaders

Keith Hatschek
University of the Pacific

Veronica A. Wells
University of the Pacific

Abstract

What research skills should undergraduate music industry studies majors develop over the course of their studies? With the non-stop proliferation of news and information sources available, how are students being trained to do research appropriate to their field to make informed decisions? Some employers now screen for information literacy skills as a preferred qualification, due to the perception that recent graduates lack advanced research skills. This paper discusses one model of developing research skills that a future music industry leader will need. The authors show the collaboration between faculty and librarians that progressively teach students to find, access, evaluate, and use a variety of credible sources. Assignments embedded in various courses in the major allow students to scaffold and advance their confidence and skills to conduct meaningful research. These skills have been identified as a vital twenty-first century core competency by faculty, administrators, and accrediting agencies.

Keywords: information literacy, assessment, music industry curricula, music management, music business, research skills, career readiness

Hatschek, Keith and Veronica A. Wells. “Developing Information Literacy Skills for Tomorrow’s Music Industry Leaders.” Journal of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association 14, no. 1 (2014): 157-181. https://doi.org/10.25101/14.6

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