This guide is designed to help students from middle school through the beginning college level master the essential information literacy skills and become effective, efficient learners. It covers the entire process of the research experience from choosing a topic and learning how to explore it effectively, to using the library and its resources, evaluating sources, understanding copyright and plagiarism, and how to write the paper. Chapter 1 discusses the critical nature of new research skills. Chapter 2 covers subject selection, narrowing a subject to a topic, and basic resources and tools necessary to locate an appropriate topic. Chapter 3 examines the search for information. Chapter 4 provides useful information about library policies and services, electronic information (including indexes and databases), and virtual libraries. Chapter 5 explores search techniques, search engines, subject directories, and the Invisible (or Deep) Web and how to use them successfully. Chapter 6 covers the evaluation of information. Chapter 7 discusses the issues of copyright and plagiarism of print, nonprint, and Internet resources. Chapter 8 explains three basic citation styles. Chapter 9 provides methods, guidelines, and examples to assist with organizing research information. A Webliography, glossary, and index are included. (MES)