Relationship of information literacy programs with use of e-resources: A survey of postgraduate students

Abstract

The core aim of this study was to investigate the status of the effectiveness of information literacy program in the utilization of electronic information resources by postgraduate students of public sector universities. The objectives of the study were: to examine and evaluate the information literacy program, determine the utilization of electronic information sources; explore the relationship between information literacy programs and utilization of electronic resources, and identify the ways to improve the use of electronic information sources in the libraries of public sector universities.

Quantitative research approach was used and a questionnaire was adopted for data collection. The target population of the study was postgraduate (PG) students of public sector universities in Gujranwala division. A purposive sampling technique was used, and data was collected from the MPhil and PhD students of public sector universities. The data was collected from 217 PG students.

The study discovered that students' level of Information Literacy had an impact on their ability to use electronic resources. Despite high skills in online searching and intermediate understanding of electronic resources, low proficiency is discovered in using the right searching tools and getting information from the OPAC. HEC databases, CD ROM databases, and computer catalogs are used by the majority of PG students. University libraries should encourage user feedback, offer training sessions, and develop collaborative platforms for student involvement and insight sharing to increase the use of electronic resources.

The findings of study provide insights into the positive correlation between information literacy and the utilization of e-resources. Significant correlation was not found between information literacy programs and the information literacy skills of students.