Comparative Analysis of Information Literacy Competence among Students of Information Resources Management, Babcock University, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was carried out to ascertain the information literacy competence of Information Resources Management students at Babcock University. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population consisted of 261 graduate and undergraduate students. Sampling was enumerative as all members of the population were chosen to participate in the study. Data was collected using a self- constructed questionnaire. Frequency and percentage counts were used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed a high level of information literacy competence. Graduate students were, however, found to have a higher degree of information literacy competence compared to undergraduate students. The greatest challenge to attaining information literacy competence was identified as the inability of the university library to support learning through formal and informal user education programmes. Based on the findings, the study concluded that information literacy competence is indeed necessary for academic success as it serves as the road map for navigating the world of information. The study, therefore, recommends that information literacy is built into the curriculum irrespective of the programme of study. University libraries, on the other hand, should provide information materials for individual reading and employ a variety of methods to teach information literacy at all levels of study.