Information literacy: assessment of undergraduate and graduate nursing students

PurposeTo describe the perceived level of information competency among nursing students in Jordan.Design/methodology/approachCross sectional-correlational design was utilized. Data were collected using an electronic self-administered questionnaire from graduate and undergraduate nursing students in Jordan.FindingsNursing students showed a moderate mean total score of information competency (184.11 out of 280, SD = 22.92). Among information competency subscales, using the information technologies subscale had the highest mean score, while information from the mass media subscale had the lowest mean score. Information competency of nursing students was positively correlated with students' age. Significant differences were found in information competency according to the academic level, addressing scientific research and research in databases in the course of the study, frequency of meeting the supervisor to discuss the research and university sector.Originality/valueAlthough there are numerous studies worldwide that assessed nursing students' information literacy, this paper represents the first study of information literacy competencies among nursing students in Jordan. While the content supports conclusions that have been drawn from other studies, this study is novel in terms of the student population it addressed. Information competency among nursing students can be improved by integrating standard research and information competency courses at the undergraduate level and involving mass media platforms in the nursing education curricula.

Adaptación del Information Competency Assessment Instrument y su aplicación a estudiantes de pregrado de las universidades de Magallanes y Playa Ancha

Este artículo analiza la adaptación, aplicación, comportamiento y análisis de cualidades psicométricas del instrumento Information Competency Assessment Instrument (ICAI), desarrollado por Rodney Marshall de la Eastern Illinois University (2006), a través de la aplicación sobre una muestra estratificada de estudiantes (n= 381) de los niveles superiores de la Universidad de Playa Ancha y la Universidad de Magallanes. Debido a la baja consistencia interna del instrumento original, se desarrolló un análisis factorial exploratorio para determinar la estructura emergente desde la aplicación, realizándose un análisis del coeficiente confirmatorio para ponderar el nivel de ajuste de la nueva estructura emergente. Los resultados proponen un instrumento para medir las competencias informacionales en estudiantes universitarios de Chile compuesto por 27 ítems y emergiendo una distribución de cinco elementos, mostrando niveles adecuados de fiabilidad (a excepción de una de las subescalas) y de ajuste absoluto, incremental y de parsimonia. La estructura factorial, si bien difiere de la propuesta por el autor, se considera que es un instrumento recomendable para la evaluación de las competencias informacionales en estudiantes universitarios chilenos.