Investigating information literacy skills perception and practices among medical and non-medical first-year students at a Nigerian university

ABSTRACT

Background: The study appraisedthe perceived information literacy proficiency of first-year students enrolled in the faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and pure Sciences at the University of Medical Sciences(UNIMED)in Ondo City, Nigeria. Method:Employing a correlational descriptive survey methodology, 120 students were proportionately selectedfrom the first-year students'population in the three faculties surveyed. The response rate was84%. Data for the study was collected using a questionnaire sectioned into four or five-point Likert scales. For the data analysis, the responses were rated 4, 3, 2,and 1 points or 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1,respectively, depending on the questionnaire section.Results:Based on our rubric, the students reported average-level information literacy skills and high-level internet navigation skills. The ability to utilise information effectively had the highest rating (x̄= 2.9/4.0),while the ability to access information was the lowest(x̄=2.7/4.0). The students also reported Google(x̄= 4.1/5.0), subject textbooks, and peers as the most frequentlyutilisedinformation sources, while academicsources such as journal databases(x̄=2.3/5.0), library catalogues, and librarians were the least used. No statistically significant distinctions were observed in the information literacy capabilities of first-year students from the three faculties or secondary school backgrounds. Conclusion:To promote acquiringinformation literacy skills for academic success and lifelong learning, this study emphasises the necessity for increased awareness and training on the effective usage of scholarly sources among first-year students in Nigerian universities.