Information literacy self-efficacy of scientists working at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research

Abstract

Introduction. This study reports the results of a cross-sectional survey to assess the information literacy self-efficacy of scientists working at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lahore, Pakistan. Method. A survey questionnaire containing information literacy self-efficacy scale and some demographic variables was personally administered to all the scientists at e Council. The response rate was 86.42%. Analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis using SPSS. Results. The results indicated that the scientists assessed themselves as ‘often true’ for overall information literacy self-efficacy scale and its sub-dimensions. However, item-based analysis revealed that these scientists were less comfortable in utilizing advanced level information literacy skills. In addition, the age, sex, academic qualification, research experience, number of research publications, and instruction received appeared to be the predictor of self-efficacy. Conclusions. Since the scientists were less competent in advanced level information literacy skills, efforts should be focused on improving their self-efficacy. There is a critical need for user-centered instruction programmes for in-service staff as well as for future scientists. This study would make a worthy contribution to the existing research on workplace information literacy as no such study was found addressing the context of working scientists.