Graduate Students’ Views on Information Literacy

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine graduate students‟ views on information literacy with the aim of understanding their opinions and experience about some aspects of information literacy and its importance in academic work or research, and also to ascertain the sources of information graduate students use most. Mixed methods of both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used, combining online survey and face-to-face interviews to examine graduate students‟ views and experiences with information literacy; their opinions about the importance of information literacy in their academic work or research, their opinions about the best approach for teaching information literacy, and also which sources of information graduate students use most for their academic work or research. The findings of this study show graduate students rely heavily on the internet for their academic work or research. They agree that information literacy is very important and helpful in academic work and research and they suggest that information literacy education should be embedded in the curriculum and it should also be introduced early in education to make it more effective. They also call for collaboration between librarians and faculty to facilitate the implementation of information literacy programmes. The study presents a viewpoint of graduate students in Digital Library Learning programme and provides some insights into graduate students‟ knowledge about the concept of information literacy, and the importance they attach to information literacy education.