Analyzing Information Literacy needs of Post- Graduate students at Strathmore University

Abstract

Information seeking and use has become a complex process for higher education students due to the increase of information technologies and resources in all types of formats. The skills needed to retrieve this information and to determine which resources are authoritative and useful to the question at hand, are important in order to fulfill their academic requirements. In Strathmore University, Postgraduate students have been taught Information literacy skills since 2011. However, they still lack essential skills such as locating, retrieval, evaluation, and management of information resources. The aim of this study was to analyze the information literacy needs of postgraduate students at Strathmore University. The objectives of the study were to: determine the information literacy needs of post-graduate students; determine post graduate students‟ IL skills; find out the level of effectiveness of information literacy programmes attended by Strathmore University postgraduate students; identify the information literacy challenges faced by postgraduate students; suggest possible ways in which the information literacy needs for post-graduates students can be met. The study employed a mixed research method. Quantitative data was collected through an online survey that was sent to all postgraduate students. Similarly, qualitative data was collected through a focus group discussion with Information Literacy trainers. The study was informed by the Standing Committee for National and University Libraries (SCONUL) Model, and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Information Literacy Standards for Higher Education. The SCONUL model and ACRL standards consider an information literate person to be a person who must be able to recognize when information is needed and be able to locate, evaluate and use this information effectively. This study focused on the total population of 2015/2016 postgraduate students of Strathmore University, which is 811. The study surveyed 573 postgraduate students who filled online questionnaires that moreover included closed and open-ended questions and focus-group discussion that was subjected to 9 IL trainers of SU. The study used probability and non-probability sampling methods in which stratified and purposive sampling techniques were employed to get a representative sample size of 573 respondents. Online questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions were used to collect data. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established that there is a need to re evaluate the structure and content of the information literacy program in order to provide high impact information literacy skills. The study concludes that post-graduate students need Information Literacy guidelines on how to use library information resources in their subject areas. These skills will help them in their use of library resources and access to online databases when conducting research exercises. The study recommended that information literacy skills programmes should be made mandatory for students. Additionally, Library staff in collaboration with teachers should continue to participate in teaching IL programmes. The findings of this study will be used to improve the current IL programme of SU