scholarly journals Exploring LIS Students’ Beliefs in Importance and Self-Efficacy of Core Information Literacy Competencies

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Printo ◽  
Rosaura Fernandez Pascual

Understanding perceptions of Library and Information Science (LIS) students on two dimensions—belief in the importance (BIM) of a set of core information competencies, and Self-Efficacy (SE)—is pursued. Factor analysis implementation raises a clear distinction between BIM and SE results. This analysis points to two sets of competencies: principal competencies reflected the most positive insights from students, while the secondary ones were the most weakly perceived and consequently the most in need of encouragement. This is one of the few studies on the subjective profile of LIS students, including improvement initiatives relating to the weakest competencies.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinwe Veronica Anunobi ◽  
Obiora Kingsley Udem

Purpose: This paper reviewed literature as they relate to Information Literacy Competency. The review is necessary so as to guide students as well as scholars of Library and Information Science who may want to be exposed to the concepts and elements of Information Literacy.Design/Methodology: The exploratory approach was used for this study; first a conceptual framework was examined so as to identify the components of Information Literacy Competency which is combination of Knowledge, Skills and Attitude. This was followed by review of elements of three models of Information Literacy as well as review of views of scholars on Information Literacy Competencies. Finally position was taken on Information Literacy Competency.Findings: The paper found out that the term Information Literacy Competency and Information Literacy skills though often used interchangeably are not the same. Information literacy competency is a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes towards recognizing when and why information is needed, where to find it, how to evaluate, manage and apply it, synthesize, use and communicate it ethically and legally. On the other hand, skill is a component of competency which includes other components (knowledge and attitude).Originality/Value: The value of this paper lies in its identification and discussion on review of the views and position on the concepts of information competency and literacy. It also brings together scholars and schools of thought ideology on information literacy competency which is expected to aid those in quest for knowledge.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinwe Veronica Anunobi ◽  
Obiora Kingsley Udem

The study investigated the information literacy competencies possessed by Library and Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students in Federal Universities in South East Zone Nigeria with a focus on the Knowledge and skill level. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Seventy two students which included all 2011/2012 PhD and Masters degree students from the Departments of LIS in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Data was collected using Achievement Test and Questionnaire. Percentages, frequencies and mean rating were used to answer research questions. T-test was used to test hypotheses. The major findings of the study include: LIS postgraduate students in Federal Universities in South East Zone Nigeria possessed information literacy knowledge since the measure based on understanding the need for information, how to locate, evaluate and use information have average percentage scores of 95%, 87%, 82% and 88% respectively. However, the information literacy knowledge possessed by LIS Postgraduate students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU) differed significantly from those possessed by LIS Postgraduate students in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); LIS postgraduate students possessed moderate level of information literacy skills as their level of information literacy skills as measured based on ability to locate and access, evaluate and use information has general mean rating of 3.34. However, the skills differed significantly between LIS Postgraduate students in NAU and UNN. Based on the findings, it was recommended that more practical aspect of information literacy should be employed through students’ industrial training and internship, and LIS curriculum should be enhanced especially with reference to skill acquisition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 32-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Hebert

Abstract Objective – This cross-sectional, descriptive study seeks to address a gap in knowledge of both information literacy (IL) self-efficacy and IL skills of students entering Louisiana State University’s Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program. Methods – An online survey testing both IL self-efficacy and skills was administered through Qualtrics. The online survey instrument used items from existing instruments (Beile, 2007; Michalak & Rysavy, 2016) and was distributed to two cohorts of incoming students; the first cohort entered the MLIS program in fall 2017, and the second entered in spring 2018. Results – Data varied between cohorts and between survey instruments for both IL self-efficacy and skills; however, bivariate analysis of data indicated a moderate positive correlation between overall IL self-efficacy and demonstrated IL skill scores in both fall 2017 and spring 2018 cohorts. Conclusion – The study indicates a need for a larger, multi-institutional study using a rigorously validated instrument to gather data and make generalizable inferences about the IL self-efficacy and skills of incoming LIS graduate students.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinwe Veronica Anunobi ◽  
Obiora Kingsley Udem

Purpose: This paper reviewed literature as they relate to Information Literacy Competency. The review is necessary so as to guide students as well as scholars of Library and Information Science who may want to be exposed to the concepts and elements of Information Literacy.Design/Methodology: The exploratory approach was used for this study; first a conceptual framework was examined so as to identify the components of Information Literacy Competency which is combination of Knowledge, Skills and Attitude. This was followed by review of elements of three models of Information Literacy as well as review of views of scholars on Information Literacy Competencies. Finally position was taken on Information Literacy Competency.Findings: The paper found out that the term Information Literacy Competency and InformationLiteracy skills though often used interchangeably are not the same. Information literacy competency is a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes towards recognizing when and why information is needed, where to find it, how to evaluate, manage and apply it, synthesize, use and communicate it ethically and legally. On the other hand, skill is a component of competency which includes other components (knowledge and attitude).Originality/Value: The value of this paper lies in its identification and discussion on review of the views and position on the concepts of information competency and literacy. It also brings together scholars and schools of thought ideology on information literacy competency which is expected to aid those in quest for knowledge.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chinwe Veronica Anunobi ◽  
Obiora Kingsley Udem

The study investigated the information literacy competencies possessed by Library and Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students in Federal Universities in South East Zone Nigeria with a focus on the Knowledge and skill level. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Seventy two students which included all 2011/2012 PhD and Masters degree students from the Departments of LIS in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Data was collected using Achievement Test and Questionnaire. Percentages, frequencies and mean rating were used to answer research questions. T-test was used to test hypotheses. The major findings of the study include: LIS postgraduate students in Federal Universities in South East Zone Nigeria possessed information literacy knowledge since the measure based on understanding the need for information, how to locate, evaluate and use information have average percentage scores of 95%, 87%, 82% and 88% respectively. However, the information literacy knowledge possessed by LIS Postgraduate students in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU) differed significantly from those possessed by LIS Postgraduate students in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN); LIS postgraduate students possessed moderate level of information literacy skills as their level of information literacy skills as measured based on ability to locate and access, evaluate and use information has general mean rating of 3.34. However, the skills differed significantly between LIS Postgraduate students in NAU and UNN. Based on the findings, it was recommended that more practical aspect of information literacy should be employed through students industrial training and internship,and LIS curriculum should be enhanced especially with reference to skill acquisition.


2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1(111)) ◽  
pp. 33-51
Author(s):  
Ewa Głowacka ◽  
Małgorzata Kisilowska ◽  
Magdalena Paul

PURPOSE/THESIS: The aim was to study information competencies of Polish students of library and information science (LIS), history and journalism with two aspects taken into consideration: students' belief regarding the importance (BIM) of a set of core information competencies, and their self-efficacy (SE) in this field. APPROACH/METHODS: The IL-HUMASS questionnaire, slightly modified, was used. It consists of 26 information literacy aspects divided into four areas: information retrieval, evaluation and processing, and communication skills. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal, on one hand, some common attitudes apparently associated with students' current life phase. On the other hand, some differences emerged that can be connected with the field and character of the study. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The results enable a preliminary evaluation of information literacy of the students in different study fields, as well as the comparison of their attitudes and skills to those of the respondents of similar foreign projects.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obiora Kingsley Udem ◽  
Egbuna Sebastian Anaehobi

The study investigated the relationship between information literacy skills acquisition and research self-efficacy of Library and Information Science (LIS) postgraduate students in Southeast Nigerian Universities. A correlational research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 326 postgraduate students which included all 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 Ph.D. and Masters Degree students from the Departments of LIS in Southeast Nigerian universities that offer the postgraduate programme in LIS. The entire population was studied. Two validated instruments which included cognitive ability test for Information Literacy Skills (ILST) and Research Self-Efficacy Scale (RSES) adopted from Büyüköztürk, Atalay, Sozgunc, and Kebapçı were used for data collection. The internal consistency of ILST and RSES were established using Kudder-Richardson and Cronbach's alpha coefficient which yielded 0.85 for ILST and 0.86 for RSES. Data collected were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation (r). The study found out that there is a negative relationship between information literacy skills and research self-efficacy scores of LIS postgraduate students. Also, no significant relationship exists between information literacy skills and research self-efficacy scores of LIS postgraduate students. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the assessment of students’ information literacy skills by the LIS Department, LIS educators, and LIS professionals should be employed frequently. This will help determine their strength and weakness and with that, the students will be able to know their stand which will encourage them to acquire these skills where it is lacking as well as instill confidence in their ability to conduct research.


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