The Role of Information Literacy in the Utilization of E-Resources by Postgraduate Students in Faith-Based Universities in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

The need for postgraduate students to be well equipped with information, has resulted to the acquisition of e-resources by university libraries. Furthermore, Kenyan university libraries, have implemented information literacy policies with the objective of augmenting information literacy requisite proficiencies for effective use of e-resources. Despite the initiatives undertaken, e-resources are underutilized by postgraduate students. This raises the question on information searching skills of postgraduate students. This study examined the role of information literacy in the utilization of electronic resources by postgraduate users in faith-based universities in Nairobi County. The objectives of this study were to assess how the ability to recognize information need affects utilization of e-resources; evaluate how the ability to search for information affects utilization of e-resources; determine how the ability to evaluate information affects utilization of e-resources; assess how the ability to cite and reference information sources affect the utilization of e-resources. The study was underpinned by the SCONUL model and adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population constituted of 843 postgraduate students from CUEA, KeMU, AIU and Daystar universities and 8 library staff. A sample size of 168 postgraduate students and 8 library staff participated in the study. The postgraduate students were picked through stratified and systematic sampling techniques, whereas the select librarians were purposively picked for this study. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. Pretesting was done to ensure reliability of the instruments. Quality of data was ensured through content and construct validity. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in categories of themes and narratives, while the quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, where descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) were computed and results presented using tables and figures. The findings revealed that combined abilities of recognizing, searching, evaluating, citing, and referencing information have a positive and significant impact on the utilization of electronic resources by postgraduate students. The study concluded that the abilities of recognizing information need, searching for information, evaluating information, citing and referencing information are significant predictors of utilization of e-resources by postgraduate students. Overall, the most significant predictors of e-resource utilization is the ability to cite and reference information, searching for information, recognizing information needs, and evaluating information. The study proposes that the university administration implements intensive and mandatory training for postgraduate students on information literacy, information retrieval, evaluating information sources, citing, and referencing information sources. These recommendations will improve library management and services, enhance information literacy policies and practices, and contribute to the academic success of postgraduate students, especially in faith-based universities.