Faculty perceptions of information literacy skills: an investigation at the Florence University Campus of Social Sciences

Purpose The Florence University Social Science Library has for some time been engaged in courses for information literacy (IL), but so far, there has been a lack of collaboration with teachers. This study aims to investigate teachers’ perception of students’ IL skills. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative investigation was based on semi-structured interviews with 24 faculty members of the Florence University Social Sciences campus. Findings Knowledge of the IL frameworks is not widespread among the teachers of the campus, but following the discussion, most of the interviewees came to acknowledge its certain validity. The teachers tend to attribute an insufficient level of information skills to the bachelor’s degree students, a good level to master’s degree and a more positive level to the postgraduates. They express appreciation of the training activity of the library, but they, nevertheless, still tend to consider librarians, as their more traditional role would suggest, only as bibliographic research experts. No one seemed to believe librarians possess those training competencies they would need to get involved in teaching curricula. The recognition of the work that has been accomplished up to now represents foundations for an increasingly necessary partnership. There is an awareness, however, that a suitable strategy which requires determination and initiative will be difficult to implement. Originality/value This study represents one of the few contributions on the perception of IL skills by faculty members in Italian universities.

New Evidence of the Effect of Literacies in Reducing Disinformation and Fake News

Context: The production of scientific knowledge is not clearly understood by most individuals. In the information age, society faces challenges generated by discrediting institutions, including science, the proliferation of false news, disinformation and the relativisation of truth. These are significant issues that the school cannot refrain from discussing if it wants to educate for citizenship. Objectives: To investigate how conceptions about science influence and are influenced by fake news conveyed by the media and the contribution of literacy to minimise the effects of misinformation. Design: The methodology used in this research used a mixed-methods approach through content analysis of students’ responses combined with descriptive statistical techniques. Environment and participants: The research was carried out with 32 students, divided into two groups, attending the 9th grade of an elementary public school in Bom Princípio/RS. Data collection and analysis: Two questionnaires were applied: one for the conceptions about science and another to identify fake news. Results: Most students have a limited view of science and find it difficult to identify fake news through verification criteria. A correlation between student perceptions and the identification of false news was observed. Conclusions: Knowledge about science possibly enhances students’ perception of doubtful information. It is crucial to develop mediatic and information literacy skills as they can positively impact the identification of fake news and reduce its shares.

Information Literacy Skills among Library and Information Science Professionals: a forecaster of Research Support Services

PurposeThe present research aims to gauge the Information Literacy Skills (ILSs) of the University Library and Information Science Professionals (LISPs) of Pakistan and consider it as a forecaster of improved Research Support Services (RSSs).Design/methodology/approachThe purposive sampling method through a questionnaire was applied and administered (online and offline) to assemble data from LISPs of 219 universities of Pakistan. The questionnaire covered the eight factors of ILSs and four of RSSs.FindingsThe regression model illustrates that the predicted variation of ILSs in RSSs is statistically significant. The coefficient of determination (R2) indicates that ILSs predict 70% variance in RSSs. Furthermore, the beta coefficient demonstrates that the input value of “managing findings” toward improved RSSs is moderately high as compared to other factors of ILSs. Therefore, the study concludes that ILSs of LISPs are a prerequisite for their professional growth to improve their RSSs.Originality/valueThe research has discovered the whole levels of ILSs and RSSs of the university LISPs of Pakistan. The study recommends raising the ILSs of LISPs to provide more efficient RSSs.

Video killed the multiple-choice quiz: capturing pharmacy students’ literature searching skills using a screencast video assignment

Background: In a flipped, required first-year drug information course, students were taught the systematic approach to answering drug information questions, commonly utilized resources, and literature searching. As co-coordinator, a librarian taught three weeks of the course focused on mobile applications, development of literature searching skills, and practicing in PubMed. Course assignments were redesigned in 2019 based on assessment best practices and replaced weekly multiple-choice quizzes used in prior iterations of the course.Case Presentation: Following two weeks of literature searching instruction, students were assigned a drug information question that would serve as the impetus for the search they conducted. Students (n=66) had one week to practice and record a screencast video of their search in PubMed. Students narrated their video with an explanation of the actions being performed and were assessed using a twenty-point rubric created by the course coordinator and librarian. The librarian also created general feedback videos for each question by recording screencasts while performing the literature searches and clarifying troublesome aspects for students. The librarian spent about twenty-four hours grading and six hours writing scripts, recording, and editing feedback videos.Conclusion: Most students performed well on the assignment and few experienced technical difficulties. Instructors will use this assignment and feedback method in the future. Screencast videos proved an innovative way to assess student knowledge and to provide feedback on literature searching assignments. This method is transferrable to any medical education setting and could be used across all health professions to improve information literacy skills.

Student Health Information Literacy Against Pandemi Covid-19 (Study for Students FISIP, University of Bengkulu

Background: Health is becoming important today, especially during a pandemi situation. Everyone needs to take care of their health to avoid Covid-19. There are many information that students can use in maintaining their health from the internet. This is the basis for researchers to see student health information literacy. Research objectives: to determine the health information literacy of students from Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bengkulu and see the relationship between gender and study program with the dimensions of health information literacy. Research Methods: This study uses quantitative research using sample of 95 students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bengkulu. The determination of the sample is based on the stratified sampling. Finding: Respondents already have health information literacy, especially information on Covid-19. The majority of respondents have an interest in finding information about Covid-19. Respondents already have health information literacy skills in the aspects of identifying, searching for, finding, and using the Covid-19 information they find. Female respondents have more health information literacy than men. In this type of education, Journalism study program students have information literacy compared to other study programs, especially in finding, evaluating and using Covid-19’s information. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that students of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Bengkulu have health information literacy skills in seeking information on Covid-19 during the pandemi season.

Memupuk Jiwa Pustakawan Sejak Dini: Refleksi Implementasi Literasi Informasi dalam Menciptakan Masyarakat Terinformasi

Introduction. Information literacy for all of the community is a condition that is predicted by the Indonesian government to be realized immediately. This achievement will create an informed society. This situation can be realized if the librarian's soul becomes the soul of the community. Therefore, two things that must be prepared are first, increasing interest in reading in the community, and second, carrying out an information literacy program.Methodology. This paper is library research. Writing analysis uses a qualitative descriptive method by capturing the fact. This study uses relevant literature to relate the research theme in formulating the problems that occur and in making final conclusions.Discussion. Librarians who are referred to as "guardians of knowledge", have an enlightening spirit compared to other professions. There are two guidelines that can make this enlightening soul, the first is code of ethics, and the second is the activities of the librarian's functional position. These two guidelines provide direction for librarians in carrying out sustainable activities to improve information literacy skills for the community. Many programs have been implemented to develop this information literacy program, by various librarians, but today, informed society has not created the programs yet.Conclusion. So far, this information literacy program has not realized the informed society. Information literacy programs that have been developed must not stop and must be implemented. An informed society will be formed if all levels of society reflect the librarian's spirit in life.

An assessment of health information literacy among women in rural Lake Zone, Tanzania

This article presents the results from a descriptive cross-sectional survey that was conducted to assess the health information literacy skills of women of childbearing age in rural Lake Zone, Tanzania. A total of 349 women were involved in the study. The study found that most rural women in the study area have low levels of health information literacy. The aggregate scores of health information literacy indicate a mean of 42.86% with a normal distribution curve, and estimated close-to-zero skewness (0.172) and kurtosis (−0.297) measures. The causal relationships between health information literacy and women’s socio-demographic factors indicate a positive and statistically significant effect ( p < .01) of women’s level of education, income, ownership of means of communication and access to health facilities on their level of health information literacy. The women’s inadequate ability to access, read, understand, appraise and use health information is a barrier to their acquisition of relevant health information. Enhancing the health information literacy skills of these women is most likely to improve their health outcomes.

Examining digital information literacy as a determinant of women's online shopping behavior

PurposeThe present study aims to examine the current digital information literacy (DIL) skills of female online shoppers in Lahore city of Pakistan. Data were gathered from a purposive sampling of women, aged between 20–50 years who were buying products online, not from the traditional retail stores. Out of 309 received questionnaires, 269 responses were useable and were utilized for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to deduce inferences.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative research approach was employed for this study, and a survey was conducted to collect the data from the study's respondents. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used.FindingsResults revealed that the digital information literacy skills of women were good to a moderate level. However, they were not confident in applying advanced searching options. In accordance with what was hypothesized in a directional hypothesis, DIL was found to be a strong predictor of online shopping behavior of women, consequently highlighting the importance of such competencies in modern life. Other findings illustrate that participating women rarely engaged in online shopping and felt hesitation in using credit/debit card for online transactions.Research limitations/implicationsThese observations highlight the important role of information professionals in creating digital literacy among different population groups, specifically women, by planning digital information instruction through courses, workshops and trainings. This could eventually be possible with the dynamic role of librarians or information professionals in the society.Originality/valueThe present study adopts the unique approach of measuring online shopping behavior of female shoppers in connection with their digital information literacy skills.