Influence of an information literacy course on students' information search behavior.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of an information literacy course on students' information gathering behavior. METHODS: Two student groups, consisting of 69 (Group One) and 177 (Group Two) students, were compared in their performance on a literature review assignment. Group one did not have an information literacy course, while group two was the first class to receive a newly introduced course in information literacy. Assignment references served as the dependent variables and included the following categories: total number of references, number and percentage of peer reviewed journal references, number and percentage of non-peer reviewed journal references, number and percentage of website references, number and percentage of authority opinion references, and number and percentage of textbook references. Referenced websites were further divided into the following: .com, .org, .edu, .gov. for both total number and percent utilization.Independent T-tests were performed between the information literacy course status and each of the dependent variables. RESULTS: Descriptive data (prior education, cumulative GPA, average age of student groups) was similar for both groups. Independent T-test analysis revealed a strong association (p < .05) between increasing both the number and percentage of peer reviewed references and having the information literacy course. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of an information literacy course did influence the information gathering behavior of students. Students showed an increased reliance on peer-reviewed references.

Influence of axial rotation on chiropractic pelvic radiographic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to explore associations between axial (y-axis) rotation of the pelvis and pelvic radiographic measurements. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive film statistics of an incrementally rotated pelvis and linear regression analysis were performed. METHODS: A phantom pelvic model was incrementally imaged (1 degrees increments) at 40-in source-to-image distance through 10 degrees of axial rotation. Chiropractic line drawing analysis was performed. The chiropractic examiner was blinded to the degree of rotation during the film analysis. Regression analysis was performed between axial rotation and pubic symphysis deviation, sacral width, and innominate and femur head heights. Each measurement corresponds to a chiropractic listing within the Gonstead system. RESULTS: Regression analysis revealed a strong association between the degree of axial rotation and each response variable: pubic symphysis deviation, sacral width, innominate height, and femur head height. The strongest relationship existed between y-axis rotation and pubic symphysis deviation. CONCLUSIONS: Chiropractic pelvic listings are strongly influenced by positioning of the subject. A few degrees of axial rotation may create apparent misalignments of several millimeters.