INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS AMONG HEALTH SCIENCE SCHOLARS: A STUDY OF COMPETENCIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Background: Information literacy (IL) is essential for evidence-based practice, ethical scholarship, and lifelong learning in the health sciences. Despite national digital initiatives, the incorporation of IL in Indian health education is sporadic, especially in semi-urban/peri-urban locations.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore postgraduate students’ and senior academic staff’s level of IL competencies in Maharashtra, reasons for top-rated and low-rated competencies, challenges faced by the users in acquiring these skills and pedagogic implications for curriculum development.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 health science colleges. The sample comprised 100 subjects, amongst which were 75 postgraduates (MD, MS, MDS, M.Sc. Nursing, MPT) and 25 senior faculty members with more than a decade of experience in academics. A validated bilingual questionnaire was used to collect data, which were analysed with SPSS and NVivo. T, Chi-square and ANOVA were the statistical tests.

Results: In all domains of IL, the senior staff scored significantly higher than the postgraduates (p < 001). Mean scores for evaluation of sources were 4.08 (staff) versus 3.12 (students), and searching the database was 3.96 compared with 2.94. Chi-square analysis found that 73 % of students received no formal IL instruction, and 64% had problems with citing. ANOVA revealed between-subject differences across groups, with nursing students scoring highest (mean = 3.78, p = 007). Qualitative themes were a lack of formal IL instruction and overdependence on informal sources.

Conclusion: Gaps in ILs of students emphasise the necessity of curriculum-embedded multilingual and active learning IL training. [Policy Reforms that] "[institutionalise, have intense pressure on and invest] in IL in response to accreditation measures and faculty training programs." Longitudinal effects and scalable interventions adapted to local contexts remain a focus of further research.