Workplace information literacy: a case of investigation officers from Punjab Police, Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction. This research investigated the current state of information literacy development among investigation officers working at the Punjab Police from the division of Sargodha, Pakistan. Method. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted. The questionnaire contained an information literacy self-efficacy scale (25 items) along with other questions and personal variables. The data were collected from 200 respondents through personal visits to each police station of the Sargodha division. Analysis. The data were analyzed by applying both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. Results.A majority of participants never received information literacy instructions during their careers. They had basic levels of information literacy, but were not comfortable with advanced levels of information literacy. Age, professional experience, and computer proficiency levels of the participants appeared to predict their information literacy self-efficacy. Conclusions. There is a critical need for information literacy instruction programmes for in-service police officers to improve their skills.