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Information literacy skills of engineering students: A survey
... IL) skills to access, discover, analyze, and utilize information (Ranaweera, 2006). Considering the importance of IL skills, many national and international researchers have investigated the current status and made suggestions to enhance students' IL skills (Blake et al., 2017;Gowri & Padma, 2018;Kousar & Mahmood, 2013Malanga, 2017;Nyarigoti, 2020;A. Rafique & Mahmood, 2015;Safdar & Idrees, 2021;Zeeshan et al., 2020). Nyarigoti (2020) assessed the undergraduate students' IL skills at United States International University, Africa. The study's findings revealed that students prefer to use Google as the primary source of information instead of the library and its resources, showing the low level of students' ...
... The researchers recommended that librarians collaborate with teachers to develop IL programs to strengthen students' IL capabilities. Rafique & Mahmood (2015) assessed engineering students' information literacy capabilities. The study's second aim was to see how information literacy skills are associated with gender, age, English language proficiency, and degree level. ...
... The review of the literature highlighted that very few studies have been conducted to assess the IL skills of students in Pakistan. However, only 3 studies have been carried out to assess the IL skills of engineering students in Pakistan since 2020 (Kousar & Mahmood, 2013Rafique & Mahmood, 2015). But no study seems to be conducted to examine the perception of engineering students regarding the need of IL programs in Pakistan. ...
The information age has compelling reasons for university students to seek information literacy (IL) skills. IL skills are more challenging for students at the undergraduate level when they are prone to academic and scholarly literature. This study examined the students' satisfaction level with their IL skills. The study also investigated the importance of IL programs as perceived by the students. Undergraduate and postgraduate students, currently enrolled at engineering universities in Pakistan, participated in this research. A quantitative research approach was adopted to conduct this study and the data were collected from 352 participants using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. The findings of this study indicate that engineering students have an average level of information literacy skills. There was no mean difference found based on gender in satisfaction level of IL skills of the student. Findings show that engineering students graded IL programs necessary to strengthen their IL skills. Moreover, participants expressed a need for structured and focused IL programs.
... However, only 13 research papers [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] have been published on the subject from Pakistan spanning 2009-2015. This shows that the concept of IL is emerging and gaining attention of the Pakistani scholars. ...
... Ullah and Ameen' [13] found that medical librarians perceived IL skills as very important for medical library users. Five papers [14][15][16][17][18] focused on assessing the IL skills of either students or faculty members; three [16][17][18] assessed the IL skills of engineering students, while one [14] assessed the IL skills of university faculty members. These studies found that IL skills of students as well as faculty were unsatisfactory and needed to be improved through IL instruction programs at academic institutions. ...
... Ullah and Ameen' [13] found that medical librarians perceived IL skills as very important for medical library users. Five papers [14][15][16][17][18] focused on assessing the IL skills of either students or faculty members; three [16][17][18] assessed the IL skills of engineering students, while one [14] assessed the IL skills of university faculty members. These studies found that IL skills of students as well as faculty were unsatisfactory and needed to be improved through IL instruction programs at academic institutions. ...
This paper aims to present an overview of information literacy (IL) instruction in Pakistan from the following perspectives: research literature produced; IL instruction as a credit course at LIS schools; and continuing professional development (CPD) activities for information professionals. This study was based on a review of the literature on IL, a survey of LIS schools, searching through the electronic messages archives of the professional groups, and exchange of information with peers. The findings revealed that 13 research papers were published on IL from Pakistan. Out of 12 LIS schools, four offered a 3-credit hour course on IL instruction at the Masters level. Continuing professional development opportunities were limited in Pakistan. A few university libraries just started formal IL programs. We recommended that IL be included in the curriculum at all LIS schools. Research studies on different aspects of IL must be conducted. LIS schools and associations must prepare the professionals to run IL instruction programs.
... Several studies in Pakistan assessed IL skills of students who belonged to varied disciplines e.g., engineering, education, social sciences, arts, and humanities (e. g. Mahmood 2013;Naveed and Sharif 2015;Shafique and Bhatti 2017;Rafique and Mahmood 2015). Only a few studies were assessing the self-efficacy of university students for information literacy. ...
... An extensive search for existing research resulted in a limited number of studies from Pakistan assessing information literacy of students from varied disciplines such as engineering, education, social sciences, medical sciences, arts, and humanities, etc. (e.g., Mahmood, 2013;Naveed and Sharif, 2015;Shafique and Butti, 2017;Rafique and Mahmood, 2015;Soroya, et al. 2020). Some studies assessed information literacy in the context of the workplace (e.g., Anwar, 1981;Naveed, 2021;Naveed and Rafique, 2018). ...
Self-efficacy toward information literacy is and has been demonstrated as an essential and fundamental key for academic performance and lifelong learning of students at all levels. This research reported the results of a cross-sectional survey carried out to investigate the correlatives of information literacy self-efficacy among business students at the University of Management and Technology, Lahore. The questionnaire contained an Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale, which along with sociodemographic and academic variables was utilized for collecting data from 350 students. The survey participants were recruited through a convenient sampling procedure due to accessibility issues and time limitations. The data were analyzed by applying both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. The results revealed that the business students had high self-efficacy for basic information literacy skills and low self-efficacy for advanced-level information literacy skills. Age, study program, study stage, proficiency for computer, and English language appeared to be the correlatives of students’ information literacy self-efficacy. The pragmatic insights generated in this research might be used as a guide by university librarians, especially those who are engaged in information literacy instructions for designing a need-based and student-centered curriculum for information literacy instruction programs.
... Globally, a good number of studies in the area of IL are available because this phenomenon has been extensively studied (Anyaoku et al., 2015;Durodolu, 2018;Lanning and Mallek, 2017;Malanga, 2017;Odede and ZAWEDDE, 2018;State et al., 2013). In Pakistan too, a handful of studies addressed the different aspects of IL (Batool and Mahmood, 2012;Batool and Webber, 2019;Mahmood, 2016;Naveed and Rafique, 2018;Rafique and Mahmood, 2015;Rafique, 2014;Rafique and Khan, 2017;Shahid, 2016). There are certain factors that affect the IL skills of students, and a good number of studies have been observed locally and internationally that assessed IL skills and revealed factors including educational level, social background, ICT proficiency, English language proficiency (Kousar and Mahmood, 2013;Mahmood, 2016;Naveed and Rafique, 2018). ...
... The literature review further depicts that various studies explored the different aspects of IL such as evaluations of IL instruction program, barriers for IL instructions program, the impact of IL on personal information management and various factors that affect the IL skills such as educational level, social background, ICT proficiency, English language proficiency, age, computer expertise, education level and so on. (Durodolu, 2018;Kousar and Mahmood, 2013;Lanning and Mallek, 2017;Mahmood, 2013;Mahmood, 2016;Malanga, 2017;Naveed and Rafique, 2018;Rafique and Mahmood, 2015;Rafique and Khan, 2017;Ullah and Ameen, 2016). Recently, Akpovire et al. (2019) investigated the association between IL skills and the utilization of information sources. ...
Abstract
Purpose – The study was designed to examine the predictors of information literacy self-efficacy skills (IL
skills) of medical students.
Design/methodology/approach – The study was quantitative in nature and was carried out by using
survey research method. Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and Information Literacy Self-
Efficacy Scale for medical students (ILSES-M) were used to collect the data. Data was collected randomly from
223 out of 526 undergraduate medical students on proportionally random basis according to the number of
students available in each year. PLS-SEM analysis was run with the help of SmartPLS 3.2.
Findings – The findings of the study revealed that three subconstructs for emotional intelligence (EI), that is,
self-emotions appraisal, others-emotion appraisal, use of emotions, had a statistically significant positive
impact (p < 0.05) on information literacy (IL) self-efficacy of the medical students. The findings further confirm
that English language proficiency and frequency of attended IL instruction sessions also have a significant
positive impact on IL self-efficacy of medical students.
Originality/value – The exploration of EI in relation to IL is comparatively a novel area. The study observed
the influence of EI level on IL self-efficacy of medical students. The study will be a significant contribution to
the IL literature. The results may help the information professionals/librarians, particularly those who are
engaged in teaching and designing IL programs.
Keywords Informational literacy, Emotional intelligence, Medical students, IL self-efficacy, Pakistan
Paper type Research paper
... Numerous studies have been conducted which highlight different aspects of IL and PIM individually (Islam and Tsuji, 2010;Kousar andMahmood, 2013, 2015;Lwehabura, 2018;Mahmood, 2013;Otopah and Dadzie, 2013;Rafique and Mahmood, 2015) but there is a lack of studies which investigate the impact of IL skills on PIM practices. How IL skills influence PIM practices? ...
Purpose
Reporters are considered unique in terms of their information needs and seeking from other groups of masses. As they are running information business, the purpose of the study is to know about their skills of seeking, evaluating and engaging with information effectively and efficiently.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with electronic media reporters from 20 news channels to assess their information literacy skills (IL) and personal information management practices (PIM).
Findings
The results indicated that the study’s participants considered themselves as information literate. They perceived themselves competent and confident in IL skills for the overall scale and on its all sub-dimensions as well. Interestingly, the study findings show that IL skills affect PIM practices positively. However, they were less competent in advanced searching techniques (i.e. use of Boolean logic, truncation etc.) and cloud-based storing tools and applications.
Practical implications
The study has inferences for information professionals, educators, media owners and other stakeholders. Policymakers in electronic media, particularly media libraries should offer training opportunities by organizing workshops, seminars etc. to enhance their advanced IL as well as PIM skills at workplace.
Originality/value
Very few studies investigated the IL phenomenon beyond its skills and assessment aspects. The present study uniquely identified impact of IL on PIM practices of working electronic media journalists.
... At the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Rafique and Mahmood [50] conducted a study of engineering students to determine their perceptions of IL skills. The ACRL IL criteria for science and technology were used to create the questionnaire, which was divided into five sections: conceptual definition, search method, evaluation, use and distribution of knowledge, and lifelong learning. ...
This study aimed to assess undergraduate students' Information Literacy (IL) abilities in Pakistan. A survey method was employed to collect the necessary data from the population. The participants consisted of students from the Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), COMSATS University Islamabad, Bahria University (BU) Islamabad, and the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology (FUUAST). The sample consisted of 200 students, randomly selected. A questionnaire was formulated and completed individually. The results produced an alarming result for the selected institutions, as about 52% of students reported that they never went to the library. A similar situation was found across the selected universities, though with BU surpassing other universities with respect to daily use of the library. The responses to the survey indicated students were in a poor position in terms of their ability to identify information sources. Furthermore, most item scores were less than two, indicating that students' recognition and understanding of information sources was in a dangerously precarious condition. The findings also indicated that students' ability to access and use information for assignments, tests, examinations, and the writing of research articles was extremely limited. This could have severe implications for their learning outcomes. According to our findings, students' ability to implement technical best practice in academic work and research was extremely limited, as was their knowledge of and practice in providing appropriate credit to original authors. On the other hand, the students' ability to use social media applications, such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, was relatively strong. We recommend that university libraries should be more involved in the educational process. This study should contribute considerably to the organization of different IL programs in universities to promote, develop, and improve students' IL abilities.
... He found that many faculty members did not successful users of the university libraries. This study suggested that the information literacy training program would be arranged for improving the information literacy skills of the faculty members of the University of Lahore it will grow up the teaching experiences also.A.Rafique and Mahmood (2015) measured self-perceived information literacy skills of engineering students of UET, Lahore. This study aimed to measure the self-perceived level of Information Literacy (IL) skills of engineering students of different disciplines at B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. levels. ...
This study aimed to investigate information literacy skills of LIS students in Punjab
University and Sargodha University; to discover strengths and weaknesses of the LIS students of
both schools regarding IL skills; to ascertain challenges faced by LIS students and to find out
what level and sort of IL programs have been availed by LIS students
This study used a quantitative research approach based on a survey method and a
pretested structured questionnaire was adapted to assess the IL skills of LIS students. The
population of the study consisted of currently enrolled in BS, MLIS, M.Phil, and Ph.D. at both
library schools. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS 22. Descriptive and some of
inferrential statistics were applied to calculate frequencies, percentages, means, modes, and
standard deviations. An independent sample t-test was applied to calculate and compare the
difference between two segments of the population.
Some major findings showed that the students of the Department of Information
Management, University of the Punjab are more skillful than the students of the Department of
Information Management, University of Sargodha. Their abilities to define information need,
access, evaluate, and use ethically is comparatively better than their counterparts. The LIS
students of both schools are required to be well versed with all IL competencies which are
needed in their professional life.
Based on the results of the study it is recommended that there is a need to raise awareness
about information literacy skills among students. Curricula should be redesigned on modern
ongoing trends like advanced countries to promote IL among students of both IM schools.
Further, it is recommended that professional development opportunities, training programs and
ix
mutual interaction are important for the enhancement of teacher’s capability of delivering
information literacy content efficiently at both IM schools.
Keywords: Information literacy skills of LIS students, Information Management
Students Punjab University, Information literacy skills of LIS scholars in Pakistan
... In Pakistan, a number of studies were conducted to assess IL skills of students from different disciplines such as engineering, education, social sciences, arts, and humanities (e. g. Mahmood 2013; Naveed and Sharif 2015; Shafique and Bhatti 2017; Rafique and Mahmood 2015). None of these studies neither examined self-efficacy for IL nor selected business students as a unit of analysis. ...
This study aimed to investigate the information literacy (IL) self-efficacy of business students in Pakistan using a cross-sectional survey research design. The data were collected through a questionnaire containing Information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale along with personal and academic variables. The results revealed that the business students were confident and competent in basic IL skills whereas they were less comfortable in developing and limiting search strategies, referencing, managing citations, using different types of libraries and lack advanced levels of IL skills. In addition, there was no correlation of students’ perceived IL self-efficacy with gender, social background, ICTs trainings received, and IL instructions received. Conversely, the students’ age, program of study, stage of study, and ICTs proficiency were appeared to be the predictor of IL self-efficacy. The results generated pragmatic insights which can be used as a guide in developing useful directions for a need-based information literacy curriculum as well as programmes.
In any society and institution the libraries play an important role in nation building and to
create knowledgeable society. Law students during their whole life try to read and locate the relevant references related to their cases. Therefore, they are considered the information literate and able to locate the relevant information. During the studies, libraries and their professional usage make the law students able to locate their needed information from anywhere using their skills and abilities acquired during the studies. This study is conducted by following the quantitative research method and the population of the study was law students. Results reflect that majority of law students are aware of the available resources within their institutional libraries and they possess the skills to locate their needed information. Moreover, their purpose to the visit the libraries is the study purposes and they have basic level information needs. They also use digital resources and able to search the resources with good skills. This study will inform about the information behaviors of the law students.
Since there is a lack of IL skills instruction in the education system of Iran, especially in primary schools, this research developed IL skills lesson plans integrated into the 6th grade Iranian primary science curriculum. This study was conducted using a Delphi method included in the instructional design. Using a snowball sampling method, a sample of 12 6th grade teachers from public primary schools in Ahwaz was chosen for the expert panel. The Delphi process stopped after achievement of consensus and stability of results in the third round. In sum, the developed and confirmed the Unit Plan for 11
th
and 12
th
Units of the Iranian 6
th
grade science curriculum integrated into the Big6 model and 5 Lessons in context can used as the initial framework for developing the IL skills lesson plans in other curricula and subjects in order to upgrade and improve the IL level of the Iranian primary school students.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.