scholarly journals Information literacy and information seeking of public sector managers in the Welsh Government

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (123) ◽  
pp. 88-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Tait ◽  
Robert Edwards

This paper presents an empirical investigation of information seeking and information literacy of public sector managers in the Welsh Government. A series of 23 two-stage interviews were conducted with managers from a range of grades and departments to determine the levels of awareness and use of the Knowledge and Analytical Services (KAS) and to evaluate information seeking and information literacy of public sector managers. Findings indicated that the managers engage with the information professionals within KAS when embarking on a major project such as developing new legislation or new policy. However, there was a general unfamiliarity with the full range of KAS activities and staff were more likely to seek information themselves when conducting preliminary research and for small scale information needs and that information literacy skills were limited. Our findings suggest that information literacy could be improved within the Welsh Government if services such as the KAS were more closely aligned with operational teams.

Author(s):  
Mercy A. Iroaganachi ◽  
Promise Ifeoma Ilo ◽  
Loveth Ekwueme ◽  
Idarefame YoungHarry

This chapter explored literature and discussed the importance of knowledge sharing practices, ICT, and information literacy, and their influence on STEM career path choices among girls at the secondary school level. This was properly situated by examining the concept of knowledge sharing, concept of career path choices, knowledge sharing on career path choices of girls, considered ICT and career path choices of girls, effect of ICT on career path choices of girls, information literacy and career path choices of girls, effect of information literacy on career path choices of girls. It concludes that a culture of knowledge sharing practices among the girls will get the less knowledgeable girls informed for informed STEM career path decisions. The use of ICTs for networking and sharing knowledge among the girls will improve information literacy skills needed by the girls to help identify information needs, access, retrieve, evaluate, and use same career choices. The chapter includes recommendations.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 124-143
Author(s):  
Charlotte Overgaard ◽  
Mette Buje Grundsøe

Der har i en årrække indenfor de videregående uddannelser været fokus på, at studerendes udvikling af informationskompetence og læring igennem problemorienteret projektarbejde er tæt forbundet, og at et nært samarbejde mellem bibliotek og uddannelsesmiljø er en væsentlig forudsætning for studerendes læring. I praksis er der dog en række forhold, som kan hindre et effektivt samarbejde mellem bibliotek og uddannelse og bevirke, at de pædagogiske intentioner ikke indfries. I et tværfagligt samarbejde mellem universitetsbibliotek og fagmiljø blev der i 2012 i forbindelse med opstarten af en ny 2-årig kandidatuddannelse i Folkesundhedsvidenskab ved Aalborg Universitet udviklet et undervisningsforløb og en række læringsunderstøttende tiltag som obligatorisk anvendelse af søgebilag i projekter og tværfaglige søgeworkshops, baseret på teorier om problembaseret læring og tilrettelæggelse af søge-læreprocesser. På baggrund af empiriske data fra informationssøgningstest, studenterprojektrapporter og gruppeinterviews undersøges effekten af undervisningen på de studerendes udvikling af informationskompetence samt deres perspektiver på læringsunderstøttende tiltag. Der identificeres fremmende og hæmmende faktorer ift. udvikling af informationskompetence og afslutningsvis diskuteres styrker og svagheder samt hvilke forhold, som er centrale – og også relevante i en bredere universitetspædagogisk sammenhæng – hvis informationskompetence skal integreres som del af de studerendes grundlæggende faglighed.  Learning through problem-based project-work and the development of information literacy skills has become increasingly common in higher education programmes in recent years. It is also generally acknowledged that these learning experiences benefit from close collaboration between university libraries and their educational environments. There is evidence to suggest, however, that a number of conditions can hamper the effective collaboration between library and study programme and so leave the educational intentions unfulfilled. A new Master’s programme in Public Health that was introduced at Aalborg University in 2012 aims to address these shortcomings by turning theories of problem-based learning and searching-learning processes into teaching activities as a result of a close inter-disciplinary collaboration between university library and academic environment. This paper examines the effect of and student perspectives on the developed teaching activities. A combination of information seeking tests, student project reports and group interviews provided the empirical data for the study. These revealed a number of promotive and inhibitory factors in connection with the development of information literacy skills. The strengths and weaknesses are discussed in this paper, along with the educational and pedagogical key points that are important if information literacy is to become a part of the students’ basic academic skill set.


Author(s):  
Gloria Willson, MLIS, MPH ◽  
Katelyn Angell, MLIS, MA

Objective: The authors developed a rubric for assessing undergraduate nursing research papers for information literacy skills critical to their development as researchers and health professionals.Methods: We developed a rubric mapping six American Nurses Association professional standards onto six related concepts of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. We used this rubric to evaluate fifty student research papers and assess inter-rater reliability.Results: Students tended to score highest on the “Information Has Value” dimension and lowest on the “Scholarship as Conversation” dimension. However, we found a discrepancy between the grading patterns of the two investigators, with inter-rater reliability being “fair” or “poor” for all six rubric dimensions.Conclusions: The development of a rubric that dually assesses information literacy skills and maps relevant disciplinary competencies holds potential. This study offers a template for a rubric inspired by the ACRL Framework and outside professional standards. However, the overall low inter-rater reliability demands further calibration of the rubric. Following additional norming, this rubric can be used to help students identify the key information literacy competencies that they need in order to succeed as college students and future nurses. These skills include developing an authoritative voice, determining the scope of their information needs, and understanding the ramifications of their information choices.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sohail Haider ◽  
Chen Ya

Purpose Information literacy skills (ILSs) and information-seeking behavior (ISB) is a widespread topic that needs modern technologies to improve the technical skills of the students. The purpose of this study is to assess the usage of library resources for medical college students. To explore and understand the student’s level of satisfaction, learning and seeking behavior by efficient information retrieval systems. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a quantitative research method and data was collected from the undergraduate students of medical colleges Islamabad Pakistan. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 using Pearson correlation statistical test to identify the level of proficiency of correlation of variables and testing of the proposed hypothesis. Findings The finding of the study shows that the medical students can enhance their IT skills to seek the information in this technology era. The medical institutional administration can develop the education development policy, traditional health education policy, funds allocating policy, health information literacy and collaborate with library staff for enhancing the services and to meet the information need of medical students. Practical implications The conclusion of this study is very helpful to reduce the barriers between the students and the library staff. The findings of the study are also beneficial for the administration to improve and develop the strategies for enhancing the ILSs of medical students to achieve medical educational information in the age of technology. Therefore, all significant structures want to improve and to develop the environment of information seeking by medical students to achieve medical educational information. Social implications Medical college library administrative management must be design useful a durable policy to come up with the technology development for digital literacy. The study reduces the barriers between the students and the library staff. Originality/value The study is based on quantitative research method to find out ISB of medical students.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (S1) ◽  
pp. 104-107
Author(s):  
M. A. Deepamala ◽  
K. S. Shivraj

This article is an attempt to present and publish different aspects of doctoral Thesis awarded by Anna University in the year 2018. The concept of this article is self perception of women faculty member’s information literacy skills and their confidence level in using information for their teaching and research practices. Data and analysis have been compiled as per the aspect of taken topic. Sample size 364 based on primary data collected through well structured questionnaire from 41 Engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University in Coimbatore region. Data have been tabulated and applied suitable statistical tools. Women faculty members self perceived that they do have the confident in evaluating the quality, Interpretation, use of e-format and information retrieval skills. Their confidence level on skills to handle the information is positively significantly correlates with information literacy skills towards information seeking attitudes and the same on internet sources. It is concluded that the faculty member’s information seeking attitude and the same attitude on the internet sources influences to increase effectively confidence level of their skills to handle the information. It has been proved qualitatively and quantitatively. The author suggested to requiring more course integrated information literacy program, motivation and appreciation for research, presentation and publication among women faculty members.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cruickshank Peter ◽  
◽  
Hazel Hall ◽  
Bruce Ryan ◽  
◽  
...  

Introduction: This paper addresses the information practices of hyperlocal democratic representatives, and their acquisition and application of information literacy skills. Method: 1034 Scottish community councillors completed an online questionnaire on the information-related activities they undertake as part of their voluntary roles, and the development of supporting competencies. The questions related to: information needs for community council work; preparation and onward dissemination of information gathered; factors that influence community councillors’ abilities to conduct their information-related duties. Analysis: Data were summarised for quantitative analysis using Microsoft Excel. Free text responses were analysed in respect of the themes from the quantitative analysis and literature. Results: Everyday life and workplace roles are perceived as the primary shapers of information literacy as a predominantly joint competence. Conclusion: The focus of information literacy development has traditionally been the contribution of formal education, yet this study reveals that prior employment, community and family roles are perceived as more important to the acquisition of relevant skills amongst this group. This widens the debate as to the extent to which information literacy is specific to particular contexts. This adds to arguments that information literacy may be viewed as a collective accomplishment dependant on a socially constructed set of practices.


2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-290
Author(s):  
Esin Sultan Oğuz ◽  
Serap KURBANOĞLU

We live in an increasingly heterogeneous society. The rate of international migration has contributed to cultural diversity in many nations. Libraries of all types have started to address cultural and linguistic diversity while providing information sources and services. According to The IFLA Multicultural Library Manifesto (2008), each individual has the right to a full range of library and information services, and libraries should serve all members of the community without discrimination. Special attention should be paid to cultural and linguistic groups which are underserved such as minorities, refugees, immigrants, including those with temporary residence permits. Public libraries are considered useful social instruments in the democratization of information. They are agents for social change and excellent tools for the integration of immigrants. They prepare immigrants for citizenship by introducing them to the values of their new nation, and frequently sustain them through the initial period of adaptation. They are spaces where patrons can readily access information, not only to increase their knowledge, but also to improve their abilities and skills in order to participate in society. As the key for life-long learning and success not only in school and the work place but also in daily life, information literacy skills must be developed by immigrants, refugees and foreign residents in order for them to integrate into their adopted country. Knowing how to access, use and communicate information effectively will enable the social inclusion of newcomers. Therefore, developing special information literacy programs to equip such groups with information literacy skills should be among the priorities of public libraries. In this study, the importance of information literacy skills in multicultural societies in terms of the social inclusion of immigrants will be underlined. Findings of a survey which has been conducted to ascertain information needs of foreign residents in Turkey and the level of fulfillment of their information needs will be presented. The findings of the research will also be used to make suggestions for developing information literacy programs which address the specific information needs of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Alfia Hasanah ◽  
Margareta Aulia Rachman

Background of the study: literacy skills of librarianPurpose: This study aims to identify the information literacy skills of librarians in meeting the information needs a user at the public library in the city of Bogor.Method: This study used a qualitative approach with the case study method. Data were collected through observation and interview. The informants of six people selected using purposive sampling, with the criteria set librarian of Library Science education. Information literacy models used in this study are a model Empowering Eight, consisting of identification, exploration, selection, organization, creation, presentation, assessment and application information..Findings: The results showed that the information literacy librarian at the public library in the city of Bogor in meeting the information needs user already applied include a component on the identification, exploration, presentation, assessment, and application.Conclusion: There are some capabilities that cannot be applied to the maximum, including component selection, organization and creation of information.


Libri ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kornelija Petr Balog ◽  
Ljiljana Siber

AbstractThis paper presents the findings of a small-scale pilot study on law students’ information literacy skills and their ability to find information on environmental protection. Environmental issues are a growing concern today and numerous associations, organizations and individuals are waging an active world preservation campaign. The aim is to demonstrate social responsibility and consideration for future generations by reducing the “ecological footprint.” The aim of the research was to ascertain the law students’ attitudes towards environmental protection and the level of their information literacy skills regarding e-environmental laws and regulations. The survey was conducted in March 2015 on a sample of 110 students. The results show that students are fairly concerned about the protection of the environment but do not feel adequately informed about the issue. Students also believe that Croatia has poor environmental laws and should improve the environmental legislation within the European legal framework. Seventy per cent of the students were ignorant about the law library’s resources on environmental protection and sustainability. This is the first research about the information literacy skills of law students in Croatia regarding green information, the findings of which will serve for preparation of course materials for the credited course on information literacy offered by the library. It is of particular importance for the Osijek Law Faculty library because the library is involved in numerous projects regarding environmental protection (both at the national and the EU level).


2015 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Shipman ◽  
Susan H. Bannon ◽  
Kimberly Nunes-Bufford

Research on information literacy and educators has focused on preservice educators and learning information literacy skills. Little research exists on in-service educators and their information literacy skills. Purposes of this study were to identify information sources that in-service educators used; to determine relationships between information sources used and in-service educators’ professional position, age groups, experience, and information format preference; and to determine relationships between in-service educators’ information-seeking habits and prior library instruction. Results of this study indicated statistically significant relationships between information-seeking habits and prior library instruction. Other statistically significant in relationships were indicated between information-seeking habits and the age groups and current professional positions of sample population.


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