Information Literacy Training Research Articles

Information literacy competencies of legal personnel in Nigerian federal universities: An empirical analysis

This study centered on investigating the information literacy (IL) competencies of legal personnel at Nigerian federal universities (NFUs). The study was guided by six specific objectives. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting a population of 168 legal personnel at 43 NFUs. The total enumeration technique was used as a sample for the study. Questionnaires and observation checklists were used as data collection instruments. The researcher administered 168 questionnaires through research assistants, receiving a retrieval rate of 97.00% (163 completed questionnaires). Findings revealed that respondents displayed high competencies in locating, searching, evaluating, selecting, and communicating information resources (IRs). However, their competency in using IRs was found to be low. The study recommends that IL training should be considered a priority by both legal personnel and librarians to ensure smooth cooperation that would facilitate legal services delivery and IL training should be made more regular, consistent, holistic, and widely embraced. That is, any form of IL training should be implemented in both conventional and digital forms so that no individual would be left out.

Contextualised dictionary literacy, information literacy and information behaviour in the e-environment

PurposeNeeds for information literacy, disparities in society, bridging digital divides, richness of information sources in electronic (e-)environments and the value of dictionaries have often been propagated. To improve information sources and information literacy training, information behaviour must be understood (i.e. all information activities). This paper conceptualises new opportunities for information sources (e.g. electronic dictionaries) to all society sectors, dictionary literacy and research lenses such as lexicography to supplement information literacy and behaviour research.Design/methodology/approachA scoping review of information literacy and behaviour, lexicography and dictionary literature grounds the conceptualisation of dictionary literacy, its alignment with information literacy, information activities and information behaviour and lexicography as additional research lens.FindingsResearch lenses must acknowledge dictionary use in e-environments, information activities and skills, meanings of information and dictionary literacy, the value of e-dictionaries, alignment with information behaviour research that guides the development of information sources and interdisciplinary research from, e.g. lexicography – thus contextualisation.Research limitations/implicationsResearch implications – information behaviour and information literacy research can be enriched by lexicography as research lens. Further conceptualisation could align information behaviour, information literacy and dictionary literacy.Practical implicationsDictionary training, aligned with information literacy training, can be informed by this paper.Social implicationsThe value of dictionary literacy for all sectors of societies can be improved.Originality/valueLarge bodies of literature on information behaviour and lexicography individually do not cover combined insights from both.

Patterns of information literacy and their predictors among emergency department nurses: a latent profile analysis based on the person-context interaction theory

BackgroundWith the development of information technology, information has been an important resource in clinical medicine, particularly within the emergency department. Given its role in patient rescue, the emergency department demands a high level of information literacy from nurses to effectively collect, analyze, and apply information due to the urgency and complexity of emergency nursing work. Although prior studies have investigated the information literacy of nursing staff, little has been undertaken in examining the patterns of information literacy and their predictors among emergency department nurses.AimTo clarify the subtypes of information literacy among nurses in the emergency department and explore the factors affecting profile membership.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 2490 nurses in the emergency department from April to June 2023. The clinical nurses completed the online self-report questionnaires including the general demographic questionnaire, information literacy scale, self-efficacy scale and social support scale. Data analyses involved the latent profile analysis, variance analysis, Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsFour latent profiles were identified: ‘Low information literacy (Class 1)’, ‘Moderate information knowledge (Class 2)’, ‘High information knowledge and support (Class 3)’ and ‘High information literacy (Class 4)’, accounting for 20.14%, 42.11%, 23.36% and 14.39%, respectively. Each profile displayed unique characteristics representative of different information literacy patterns. Age, years of work, place of residence, hospital grade, title, professional knowledge, using databases, reading medical literature, participating in information literacy training, self-efficacy, and social support significantly predicted information literacy profile membership.ConclusionsInformation literacy exhibits different classification features among emergency department nurses, and over half of the nurses surveyed were at the lower or middle level. Identifying sociodemographic and internal-external predictors of profile membership can aid in developing targeted interventions tailored to the needs of emergency department nurses. Nursing managers should actively pay attention to nurses with low information literacy and provide support to improve their information literacy level.Relevance to clinical practiceInsights from the current study of the latent profile analysis are beneficial to hospital managers in understanding the different types of emergency department nurses’ information literacy. These insights serve as a reference for managers to enhance nurses’ information literacy levels.

Academic librarians’ perceptions of mobile technology’s usefulness in library service delivery at universities of technology in South Africa

PurposeGlobally, mobile technology is a significant factor influencing how libraries are changing the ways of delivering services to today’s users. This paper aims to explore academic librarians’ perceptions of the usefulness of mobile technology in delivering library services and the efforts required for its successful adoption.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted within an interpretive paradigm. The research objectives were underpinned by the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as a theoretical framework. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyses using NVIVO for thematic analysis.FindingsResults show that, in general, academic librarians support the use of mobile technology to provide services such as access to eBooks and Journals, Online Public Access Catalogue, Bookmyne application, information literacy consultations and training. Library managers, fellow librarians and users were identified as encouraging the adoption of mobile technology to enhance library services. The paper further confirms that the successful adoption of mobile technology requires some effort. However, due to some of the challenges presented in the study, a majority of respondents felt that their libraries are not yet ready to fully embrace mobile technology the way it is envisioned in today’s world.Practical implicationsThe study endeavours to address the divergence between students and academic librarians’ viewpoints regarding the application of mobile technology in the provision of library services.Originality/valueThis paper highlights numerous ways that academic librarians could adopt and embrace mobile technology, which can benefit both academic libraries and other institutions of higher learning. The knowledge presented in this paper could assist academic librarians in assessing their institutions’ vulnerabilities, challenges and strengths in using mobile technologies to provide library services.

Service Analysis at the Habiburrahman Grand Mosque Library Indonesian Aerospace

This study aims to (1) determine the types of user services available at the Habiburrahman Grand Mosque Library Indonesian Aerospace (2) to find out the service system adopted by the Habiburrahman Grand Mosque Library Indonesian Aerospace (3) to find out the procedures for registering new members and the rules imposed in the Library of the Great Mosque of Habiburrahman Indonesian Aerospace. This research was conducted using descriptive qualitative research methods with data collection techniques such as literature studies, interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of this study show that the Habiburrahman Grand Mosque Library Indonesian Aerospace has 8 types of user services, including user education services and information literacy training, reading rooms, circulation of library materials, references, photocopies, literature searches, online catalogs, and audiovisual (AV) collections. The library service system is mixed or mixed access. For visitors who want to get these various services, especially circulation services, then they need to register themselves first as members. The member registration procedure begins with preparing certain requirements, then filling out the form as well as paying the member's dues fee. Meanwhile, there are also 8 unwritten regulations stipulated as rules in the Library of the Great Mosque of Habiburrahman Indonesian Aerospace. An interesting finding lies in the architectural design that presents the typical nuances of the Indonesian ancient mosque.

Artificial intelligence literacy in libraries

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) poses challenges as well as opportunities for anyone or anything dealing with digital technologies, including libraries. Libraries and librarians have a twofold challenge in that they simultaneously must consider AI applications in library operations as well as AI skills and knowledge as part of the information literacy (IL) training they provide for their users, whether it be in IL programmes or informal learning contexts. This study follows a learning circle in which 123 librarians in Sweden did a pre-existing online course about AI and met up at regular intervals to discuss its contents in a library perspective. The increased knowledge about AI and libraries and the confidence to pass on this knowledge to library users is measured through a self-efficacy test conducted on three separate occasions during the learning circle. The result from the test shows an increase in AI knowledge during the learning circle, although the small sample makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. A focus group from the learning circle was interviewed to get an in-depth understanding of librarians’ core topics of concern and excitement regarding AI and libraries. The results from the interview showed that there was a mainly positive view of AI in relation to making library collections more accessible and easier to manage, while there was more concern regarding AI’s impact on the media landscape and how this could impact library users. Introspectively, the focus group perceived challenges in including AI when teaching IL to users as well as in the lack of AI skills among colleagues that could make it difficult to apply or discuss AI in relation to the workplace and the library profession. This paper presents a method of increasing AI knowledge among librarians and library staff. It highlights topics relevant for several library types when faced with the development and application of AI in libraries and in society that based on the results of the study are difficult to escape. The insights may prove useful when planning educational endeavours and when considering library development and strategy related to AI and their implications for libraries and library users.

Analisis Pengendalian dalam Fungsi Manajemen Perpustakaan pada Empat Jenis Perpustakaan di Indonesia

The presence of libraries is a familiar and common phenomenon in society, categorized into four types: public, special, school, and university libraries. However, in Indonesia, libraries face challenges, including financial resources, human resource issues, bureaucratic hurdles, physical resource problems, and information resource issues. These challenges have resulted in many libraries not meeting standards, despite guidelines set by the National Library of Indonesia. Libraries, integral to their management processes, often overlook a crucial function—control. This article delves into control as a key management function, addressing the problems encountered by Indonesian libraries. The focus is on control's role in overcoming issues, employing literature study methods and data analysis through observational literature techniques. The results indicate that all four types of libraries need to implement various techniques and analyses, including cost-benefit and return on investment analysis, benchmarking, leadership support, effective collaboration with librarians and technical staff, based on up-to-date information and corrective actions. Additionally, investments in infrastructure, facilities, information technology, digital resources, and information literacy training are essential.

Zombie papers, the Data Deluge column

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss how retracted scientific papers become zombie papers and why they are problematic and to encourage librarians to become active in addressing these problems.Design/methodology/approachThis paper explains what zombie papers are, how they are created and the potential impact they can have on the body of scientific literature. It explains how and why they are different than other common types of misleading scientific publications. It also explores recent developments such as the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and changes to organizations that make data about paper retractions available.FindingsWhile journal retractions are as old as scientific publishing itself, the seriousness of retractions persisting and being used in the body of scientific literature has recently been recognized as a serious concern. The rise of new AI technologies such as ChatGPT has made the presence of zombie papers in the data used to train large language models (LLMs) extremely concerning.Originality/valueWhile librarians are well-aware of journal retractions and most include information about them in their information literacy training, concerns around zombie papers and their potential presence in the data used to train LLMs will likely be a new consideration for most.

Development of smart academic library services with Internet of Things technology: a qualitative study in Hong Kong

PurposeThis study examines academic librarians' perceptions and attitudes toward Internet of Things (IoT) applications in Hong Kong academic libraries and the problems and possible improvements in using IoT technologies to strengthen library services.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research used video conferencing software for semi-structured, one-on-one interviews. Participants were given introductory material about the IoT and asked to complete an interview. The data were analyzed using inductive theme clustering for this study.FindingsThe analysis identified three themes: perception about applying IoT technology to the library, problems and improvements in using IoT. Participants were generally optimistic about the potential benefits of IoT for improving library operations and providing personalized services. However, they also expressed concerns about privacy and security, errors and extra efforts for information literacy training. They suggested improvements such as incorporating facial recognition technology, advanced RFID technology and collections identification technology to enhance user experience.Originality/valueMost studies examined users' views rather than librarians' on IoT applications, which few studies cover, especially in East Asia.

Relationship between information literacy and innovative behavior of emergency specialist nurses: A cross-sectional study in southwest China

BackgroundEmergency specialist nurses play a vital role in providing high-quality care to patients. This study investigated the innovative behavior and information literacy of emergency specialist nurses and analyzed the influence of information literacy on innovative behavior to promote the latter. MethodsIn total, 484 emergency specialist nurses in Sichuan Province, China, completed the Innovative Behavior and Information Literacy Scales. Univariate analysis, Pearson’s analysis, and multiple linear regression were performed. ResultsThe emergency specialist nurses’ innovative behavior and information literacy scores were 32.34 ± 6.27 and 74.32 ± 7.38, respectively. Scores for information awareness, ability, knowledge, and ethics were 3.90 ± 0.53, 2.95 ± 0.45, 3.32 ± 0.19, and 3.28 ± 0.30, respectively. The correlation analysis demonstrated that information literacy positively correlated with innovative behavior. The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that experience in publishing academic papers influenced innovative behavior. ConclusionsEmergency specialist nurses demonstrated a moderate level of innovative behavior. Higher information literacy was associated with higher innovative behavior. Therefore, enhancing emergency specialist nurses’ information literacy could stimulate innovative behavior and improve innovation ability. Nursing managers should develop corresponding information literacy training programs according to the characteristics of information literacy and evidence-based practice of emergency specialist nurses to improve their innovation level and quality of specialized nursing services.

Assessment and Practice of Information and Research Literacy Skills among Students in Indian Higher Education Institutions

The study presented and focused on the process and implementation of the information and research literacy program, the level of awareness among students and research scholars, and their potential after receiving information and research literacy training. The purpose of this study is to learn more about users' information and research literacy skills when it comes to various information sources and services. The essential component of information literacy provided students with a significant amount of insight into the practical instructional methods they could use to use the information sources without difficulty. The aim of this study is to assess the level of information and research literacy among students in Indian higher education institutions and to identify areas for improvement. The study found that while students have basic knowledge of information and research literacy, they struggle with more advanced research skills such as finding, evaluating, and synthesizing information. To separate the content, a list of 33 topics was used, covering the majority of topics to measure the awareness of information and research literacy skills and how to overcome their improper implementation among students and research scholars. The study highlights the need for institutions to prioritize the development of these skills through targeted training and practice opportunities.

Sharing Reliable COVID-19 Information and Countering Misinformation: In-Depth Interviews With Information Advocates.

The rampant spread of misinformation about COVID-19 has been linked to a lower uptake of preventive behaviors such as vaccination. Some individuals, however, have been able to resist believing in COVID-19 misinformation. Further, some have acted as information advocates, spreading accurate information and combating misinformation about the pandemic. This work explores highly knowledgeable information advocates' perspectives, behaviors, and information-related practices. To identify participants for this study, we used outcomes of survey research of a national sample of 1498 adults to find individuals who scored a perfect or near-perfect score on COVID-19 knowledge questions and who also self-reported actively sharing or responding to news information within the past week. Among this subsample, we selected a diverse sample of 25 individuals to participate in a 1-time, phone-based, semistructured interview. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and the team conducted an inductive thematic analysis. Participants reported trusting in science, data-driven sources, public health, medical experts, and organizations. They had mixed levels of trust in various social media sites to find reliable health information, noting distrust in particular sites such as Facebook (Meta Platforms) and more trust in specific accounts on Twitter (X Corp) and Reddit (Advance Publications). They reported relying on multiple sources of information to find facts instead of depending on their intuition and emotions to inform their perspectives about COVID-19. Participants determined the credibility of information by cross-referencing it, identifying information sources and their potential biases, clarifying information they were unclear about with health care providers, and using fact-checking sites to verify information. Most participants reported ignoring misinformation. Others, however, responded to misinformation by flagging, reporting, and responding to it on social media sites. Some described feeling more comfortable responding to misinformation in person than online. Participants' responses to misinformation posted on the internet depended on various factors, including their relationship to the individual posting the misinformation, their level of outrage in response to it, and how dangerous they perceived it could be if others acted on such information. This research illustrates how well-informed US adults assess the credibility of COVID-19 information, how they share it, and how they respond to misinformation. It illustrates web-based and offline information practices and describes how the role of interpersonal relationships contributes to their preferences for acting on such information. Implications of our findings could help inform future training in health information literacy, interpersonal information advocacy, and organizational information advocacy. It is critical to continue working to share reliable health information and debunk misinformation, particularly since this information informs health behaviors.

Assessing information literacy training of postgraduate students from input-process-output perspectives: A case of the University of Dodoma

The advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the way information resources are accessed, evaluated, and used. The changes have necessitated new capabilities to utilise information resources effectively. Information Literacy (IL) programmes facilitate the acquisition of the necessary skills for accessing, evaluating, and using information resources in the digital era. Most of the studies on IL in Tanzania have focused on traditional practices with little or no consideration of contributing factors to the IL training outcomes in the digital era. This study assessed the IL training of postgraduate students at the University of Dodoma (UDOM) from an input-process-output perspective to ascertain the factors contributing to IL training outcomes. The study employed quantitative and qualitative approaches within input-process-output perspectives. Primary data (Qualitative) were collected using key informants’ interviews with postgraduate IL training organisers and facilitators working at UDOM. Secondary data (Quantitative) were collected from IL training reports from 2018 to 2022. The study findings show that most of the aspects of IL training from an input-process-output perspective were considered. The participants viewed the training input and processes as effective enough to transform their IL practices. However, the findings indicated that there were aspects that needed improvement. These included the training schedule and time allocation. The study recommends continuous review of the IL training programmes to ensure the necessary components of IL are considered for successful training outcomes. It is essential to consider the stakeholders’ needs in planning, organising, and conducting the IL training programmes for effective learning.

Opinion on open-science practices and the importance of scientists’ information literacy skills in context of open science at the university of Rijeka, Croatia – a cross-sectional study

Background: Although opinions of scientists about open access and the importance of their skills in information literacy have been investigated earlier but not, to our knowledge, of those in Croatia. Objective: The objective was to analyse the opinions on open access and on open-science practices before implementing open-science policies. Methods: Scientists at the University of Rijeka (N = 1256) were invited to complete, anonymously, an online questionnaire on open science (Google Forms) in 2020 and their responses were analysed. Results: Altogether 192 participants (a response rate 15%) were involved in this study, of which 110 (57%) were women. The mean age of the participants was 42 years (stand-ard deviation 11). The participants pursued careers in biomedical (37%), social (31%), or technical (14%) sciences; 20% were early-career researchers or postdoctoral research-ers, and 80% held the rank of assistant professor or higher. Most of them (88%) agreed that journals should be open access and 77% said they would choose the open-access journal if they had to choose between two journals with similar impact factors. Most (83%) considered publishing fees (article processing charges) to be too high; fewer than half (45%) considered the impact factor to be more important than open access; and 28% believed open access journals to be of lower quality. Nearly three-fourths (74%) had published at least one article in an open access journal, and 45%, without paying any fee. Only a few (10.9%) archived their articles in institutional or national repositories; more than a quarter (27%), on their web pages; and close to half (43%), on their social networks. To obtain papers not available to read online, more than half (56%) used Sci-Hub; slightly more than half (51%) wrote to the authors; 40% asked col-leagues for help; and 35% approached a librarian. Conclusions: Most of the scientists in our study were in favour of open access but con-sidered the publication fees to be too high. Their archiving was inadequate: few used any institutional or national repositories. Therefore, the scientists need to be more information literate and require guidance and help from librarians and will benefit from training in information literacy including the principles of open access.

Information Literacy Training in Teaching Ethical and Plagiarism-Avoidance Skills among First-Year Students at a Private Tertiary Institution

There is an expectation that students in higher education be in possession of certain information or research skills. Information literacy equips students with skills to ethically handle and use information, thereby respecting the ideas of others. First-year students at the private higher education institution under discussion lack information literacy skills necessary to handle unethical use of information in their academic activities, despite information literacy sessions being available to them. The problem seems to be less a wilful disregard for the rules than compounded by inexperience and a lack of in-depth understanding of the application of information literacy skills. This article reports on the findings of a master’s study undertaken to investigate the role the information literacy training offered at the institution plays in inculcating ethical use of information skills and plagiarism-avoidance techniques among first-year students. The study adopted a qualitative approach using questionnaires and interviews where 188 first-year students were purposively selected through a census. The findings revealed that information literacy plays a significant role in raising awareness of ethical use of information issues and plagiarism. It trains students in the efficient and effective access and use of sources and sensitises them concerning upholding academic integrity. Although the training has been effective in sensitising students about the importance of academic integrity, it has, however, not been effective in curbing plagiarism as cases of plagiarism are still high. The study recommends the development of a formal information literacy programme that will teach plagiarism-avoidance techniques and impart and instil ethical use of information skills.

Construction and application on the training course of information literacy for clinical nurses

DesignA two-round Delphi survey was conducted to seek opinions from experts about the index system for the evaluation of training courses of clinical nursing staff’s information literacy. Besides, a non-randomized controlled experimental study was adopted to check the application effect of the training courses.AimsThis study intended to construct a training course of information literacy for clinical nurses, train nurses in order to improve their information literacy level and provide theoretical reference for the training of information literacy courses for clinical nurses.MethodsTwo rounds of Delphi study were conducted for the study among 26 clinical medical and nursing experts as well as educational experts from 5 different provinces and cities in China. From July 2022 to October 2022, a total of 84 clinical nurses from two hospitals were selected by the convenience sampling method, of which the nurses in one hospital were the control group and the nurses in the other hospital were the observation group. 42 nurses in the observation group were trained by the constructed information literacy training course. Questionnaire evaluation was used to compare the differences in the level of information literacy of nurses and the training effect between the two groups.ResultsThe results of the Delphi consultation showed that the expert’s judgment coefficient was 0.958, the expert’s familiarity was 0.946, and the expert’s authority coefficient was 0.952. Finally, a training course of information literacy for clinical nurses with 4 course categories and 45 specific course contents was formed. Among them, nursing information awareness included 7 courses, nursing information knowledge 15 courses, nursing information ability 19 courses, and nursing information ethics 4 courses. The results of the empirical study showed that the information literacy level of the nurses in the observation group after the training of the information literacy course was improved, and the scores in nursing information awareness, nursing information knowledge, nursing information ability, and information ethics were significantly higher than those in the control group after training (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe constructed information literacy training courses for clinical nurses were clearly targeted and systematic. Empirical research showed that the course contents were scientific and reasonable, which could provide reference for the training of clinical nurses’ information literacy.

Analysis of Information Literacy Programs in Libraries based on the SCONUL Seven Pillars Model

Background of the study: This study aims to find out what are the information literacy programs in the UIN library in East Java and whether the information literacy programs meet the SCONUL Seven Pillars information literacy model standards. Purpose: To find out what information literacy programs are and whether these programs meet the SCONUL Seven Pillars information literacy model standards. Method: This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach. The data analysis technique was carried out by observing the selection of informants, collecting data in the form of observations and interviews, followed by the process of analyzing qualitative data up to the interpretation of the data. Findings: The first result, in general, the training programs at UIN are similar, although there is no uniformity in the curriculum. The second result is that of all the pillars of the SCONUL Seven Pillars standard, the UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang Library has provided all capabilities in the form of information literacy programs to users and the other three libraries have not met these standards. Conclusion: There is no uniformity in the information literacy curriculum at UIN libraries in the East Java region. So that there is a need to improve and hold collaborative information literacy training program curricula.

School library censorship: Looking at the perspective of a school librarian association in Indonesia

The information needs of students must be met by school libraries as resources for student learning with collections that support academic curricula and are suitable for learning activities. A collection that contains no sensitive or contentious material is one that is appropriate for students. In this study, censorship issues in school library collections are examined from the point of view of the Association of Indonesian School Librarians. The study found four topics connected to the Association’s perspective on censorship issues in school libraries based on staff interviews and thematic analysis: the root reasons for censorship; how censorship is implemented; how to become a competent librarian; and how urgent censorship is. Censorship is seldom reported, thus the Association does not view it as a pressing concern. It places greater emphasis on problems such as information literacy training and developing librarians’ competencies than censoring library collections. Hence, there is no national attention given to this subject.

Professional translators’ and interpreters’ views on information competence: An exploratory qualitative study from the Spanish context

Information competence is essential in professional translation and interpreting. This paper gathers the views of professional translators and interpreters in Spain on information competence, by means of an exploratory qualitative study. A questionnaire composed essentially of open-ended questions was applied to gather data and the qualitative analysis software ATLAS.ti was used to code the results using thematic content analysis methods. The views provided by a sample of professional translators and interpreters ( n = 156) on the importance of information competence were collected, together with their recommendations on this key competence for those who are starting their training in translation and interpreting. The study also explores the main information needs highlighted by professionals, the sources of information they use most frequently and how they verify information, and their opinions on the gender perspective (with explicit mention of inclusive language) as part of information competence in professional practice. The results show that professionals consider information competence to be absolutely essential in the framework of translation competence, and recommend reinforcing information literacy training in university undergraduate degree programmes. They have multiple information needs (from terminological to contextual) that make them turn to a wide range of information resources (mainly personal sources and online documentary resources), but they need to strengthen their knowledge for information evaluation. Regarding the gender perspective, professionals practically limit their answers to their opinions on inclusive language and, although most of them are in favour, some resistance is detected. From the diagnosis carried out in this research, opportunities for supporting information literacy instruction in undergraduate degrees and in continuing professional development are identified.

Antiplagiarism Practices of University Libraries in Pakistan: Perceptions of Library Directors

This study aims to investigate university library directors’ perceived importance of antiplagiarism practices through plagiarism software and guidance-based programs. The study also qualitatively explores the barriers faced by university librarians in combating plagiarism practices. The authors used a mixed-method research design to examine their research questions. The findings showed that the library directors placed equal importance on both types of antiplagiarism practices, that is, software-based and guidance-based antiplagiarism practices and that libraries should provide both of these services effectively. The library directors indicated a lack of awareness regarding plagiarism issues, lack of motivation among librarians, lack of information literacy training programs, and administrative issues as the key barriers. This study fills the gap in the existing literature by exploring university library directors’ perceptions of antiplagiarism practices and barriers in combating plagiarism practices, particularly in the South Asian context.