Does the Information Literacy of University Students Depend on their Scientific Literacy?

Bojana Boh Podgornik,Saša Aleksej Glažar,Danica Dolničar

doi:10.12973/eurasia.2017.00762a

Bojana Boh Podgornik, Saša Aleksej Glažar + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12973/eurasia.2017.00762a

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Abstract

Background:Information literate students with a good understanding of science are regarded as an important a pool of future successful professionals. The study explored correlations between information literacy (IL) and scientific literacy (SL) of university students, and analyzed their achievements according to Bloom’s cognitive categories of remembering, understanding and applying knowledge. A theoretical connection between IL standards and SL competencies was exposed.Material and methods:An information literacy test and a science literacy test, derived from the PISA 2006 science scale, were used for assessment.Results:The results showed a significant moderate positive correlation between students’ SL and IL. Students with better understanding of science were more successful in all three cognitive levels of IL, and students with higher SL scores were better in application of IL knowledge. A specialized credit-bearing IL course with active learning significantly improved the IL level of all students, most notably in applying IL knowledge, and thus reduced the initial IL disparities between students with low and high SL.Conclusions:The study brought the realization that IL of university students depend on their SL obtained in previous education, however, a well-designed university IL course contributes towards higher cognitive levels of IL for all students.

Highlights

In the information era, information literate students with a good understanding of science represent a potential foundation for future successful professionals, such as engineers, medical doctors, innovators and scientists
The total Information Literacy Test (ILT) score was calculated as the sum of points awarded for correct answers
The average total ILT score in the TG1 group of students was 65.6%, which can be regarded as a sufficient general level of information literacy (IL)

Summary

Introduction

Information literate students with a good understanding of science represent a potential foundation for future successful professionals, such as engineers, medical doctors, innovators and scientists. In spite of this general recognition, very few authors have considered possible connections or correlations between students’ information literacy (IL) and scientific literacy (SL). No systematic study has been performed to directly measure and analyse students’ achievements in both IL and SL. Correspondence: Bojana Boh Podgornik, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Slovenia.

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