Information Literacy Self-Efficacy of Business Students in Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the information literacy (IL) self-efficacy of business students in Pakistan using a cross-sectional survey research design. The data were collected through a questionnaire containing an information Literacy Self-Efficacy Scale along with personal and academic variables. The results revealed that the business students were confident and competent in basic IL skills whereas they were less comfortable in developing and limiting search strategies, referencing, managing citations, using different types of libraries and lacking advanced levels of IL skills. In addition, there was no correlation of students’ perceived IL self-efficacy with gender, social background, ICT trainings received, and IL instructions received. Conversely, the students’ age, program of study, stage of study, and ICT proficiency appeared to be predictors of IL self-efficacy. The results generated pragmatic insights which can be used as a guide in developing useful directions for a need-based information literacy curriculum as well as programs.