COLLECTIVE INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS OF STUDENT GROUPS DURING COLLECTIVE INFORMATION-SEEKING PROCESS IN RURAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

Sefu H. Abeid, Boemo N. Jorosi, Neo P. Mooko

Abstract


This study aims to investigate the Collective Information Literacy (IL) skills of student groups in selected public and private vocational training institutions (VTI) in Tanzania’s rural settings. Specifically, the study seeks to evaluate the informational literacy (IL) training students’ groups receive for engaging in collective information seeking (CIS) in vocational educational training (VET) institutions in rural library settings and propose an appropriate model that improves the collective information seeking behavior of students’ groups in rural libraries at VTI in Tanzania. Karunakaran, Spence, and Reddy's (2013) model anchored to conduct this study. The population of the study comprised selected VET students in Tanzania’s rural settings. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Specifically, the proposed study used convenience sampling to select VET students for inclusion in focus group discussions and interviews. The data for the study was collected through the use of observation, interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data was analysed through thematic analysis. The thematic analysis helped to develop different themes relating to the specific objectives of this study. IL skills were found to be the cross-cutting process among all VET students’ groups during CIS. VET students’ groups could not get the collective information requirements in the absence of IL skills, as it was mentioned by 17 respondents (90%). However, the application of other information-searching techniques is not familiar to VET student groups, like Boolean operators and truncation. Lack of IL skills among VET students’ groups triggered by failure to retrieve complete required information to meet the collective information requirements for accomplishing the groups’ assignments given. Lack of IL skills among VET students’ groups on how to evaluate the sources of information on the internet and evaluating the massive retrieved information were the common aspects across all VET students’ groups of different professionalism.

 

Article visualizations:

Hit counter


Keywords


Collective Information Literacy (IL) skills, collective information searching strategies, vocational institutions, rural library settings in Tanzania

Full Text:

PDF

References


Al-Qallaf, C.L. (2019). Information literacy assessment of incoming students in information studies graduate program, Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 68(3), pp. 224-241. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-07-2018-0062

Andrade, C. (2021). The inconvenient truth about convenience and purposive samples. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 43(1), pp.86-88. https://doi.org/10.1177/0253717620977000

Aguinis, H., Cummings, C., Ramani, R.S. and Cummings, T.G. (2020). “An A is an A”: The new bottom line for valuing academic research. Academy of Management Perspectives, 34(1), pp.135-154. http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/amp.2017.0193

Avula, S. (2020). Characterizing and Understanding User Perception of System Initiative for Conversational Systems to Support Collaborative Search (PhD Thesis, University of North Carolina). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/4deafd9c16b56a056f692378ab185089/1?cbl=18750&diss=y&pq-origsite=gscholar

Baidoo, D.K., Asare, C. and Anafo, P. (2021). Information Literacy and Academic Libraries: Students learning in the information age, the case of undergraduates at the Wisconsin International University College. Library Philosophy and Practice, ProQuest, pp.1-26. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4918/

Baro, E.E. and Keboh, T. (2012). Teaching and fostering information literacy programmes: a survey of five university libraries in Africa. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 38(5), pp.311-315. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0099133312000973

Basil, T.M. (2019). Health and Safety Information Seeking Behaviour of Small-Scale Gold Miners at Sekenke-Singida, Tanzania (PhD Thesis, University of Dar-es-Salaam). Retrieved from https://staff-lib.udsm.ac.tz/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=1967&query_desc=au%3A%22ill.%22

Bickley, R. and Corrall, S. (2012). Student perceptions of staff in the Information Commons: a survey at the University of Sheffield. Reference Services Review, 39(2), 223-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00907321111135466

Braun, V. and Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), pp.77-101. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Chanda, J.K. (2012). Need for information literacy education in institutions of higher learning in Botswana; MPhil Literature review: University of Botswana, Botswana.

Cheng, Y.H. and Tsai, C.C. (2017). Online research behaviours of engineering graduate students in Taiwan. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 20(1), pp.169-179. https://www.jstor.org/stable/jeductechsoci.20.1.169

Desta, A.G., du Preez, M. and Ngulube, P. (2019). Factors affecting the information-seeking behaviour of postgraduate students at the University of South Africa Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre. Information Development, 35(3), pp.362-373. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666917744824

Edwards, S. (2015). CILIP Accreditation: ensuring students are prepared for professional practice. Retrieved from https://library.ifla.org/id/eprint/1188/1/169-edwards-en.pdf

Faraji-Khiavi, F., Dashti, R., Arab-Rahmatipour, M. and Pourreza, A. (2021). Students' information literacy level at Health Faculty of Tehran University of Medical Sciences: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Humanities Insights, 5(03), pp.1-7. Retrieved from https://civilica.com/doc/1256816/certificate/print/

Fena, C. (2020). Searching, sharing and singing: understanding the information behaviours of choral directors. Journal Documentation, 77(1), pp.199-208. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JD-05-2020-0087/full/html

Fidan M and Tuncel M. (2019). Integrating augmented reality into problem-based learning: The effects on learning achievement and attitude in physics education. Computers and Education, 142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103635.

Flywell, D. and Chigona, W. (2019). Measuring digital information literacy skills of first-year students at the University of Livingstone, Malawi. In Digital Innovation and Transformation Conference: Digital Skills 2019 (p. 30).

Foo, S. Zhang, X., Chang, Y. K., Majid, S., Mokhtar, I.A., Sin, J. and Theng, Y.L. (2013). Information literacy skills of humanities, arts and social science tertiary students in Singapore. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 53(1), 40-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/rusq.53n1.40

Gutiérrez, M.A. (2014). Information literacy at Cecil College: Establishing the context (PhD Thesis, University of Delaware). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/pqdtglobal/docview/1622957577/abstract/F8DB91E149754?fromunauthdoc=true

Han, S., Oh, E.G. and Kang, S.P. (2022). Social capital leveraging knowledge-sharing ties and learning performance in higher education: Evidence from social network analysis in an engineering classroom. AERA Open January, Vol. 8(1), pp. 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/23328584221086665 (Accessed on 12th December, 2022).

Kampa R. K. (2017). Bridging the gap: Integrating the library into Moodle learning management system: A study. Library Hi Tech News, 34(4): 16–21. Retrieved from https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/lhtn-11-2016-0055/full/html?skipTracking=true

Karunakaran, A., Reddy, M.C. and Spence, P.R. (2013). Toward a model of collaborative information behaviour in organizations. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 64(12), pp.2437-2451. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.22943

Klomsri, T. and Tedre, M. (2021). Poor information literacy skills and practices as barriers to academic performance: A mixed methods study of the University of Dar-es-salaam. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 55(4), pp.293-305. Retrieved from https://journals.ala.org/index.php/rusq/article/view/6004

Kouamé, S., & Langley, A. (2018). Relating micro-processes to macro-outcomes in qualitative strategy process and practice research. Strategic Management Journal, 39(3), pp. 559-581. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2726

Liman, Y. A. (2020). Digital literacy competencies among academic librarians in two selected university libraries in Gombe State in Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Botswana). Retrieved from https://converis.ub.bw/converis/portal/detail/Activity/10328443?auxfun=〈=en_GB

Luambano, I. (2016). Information seeking behaviour of distance learning students: a case study of the Open University of Tanzania, Arusha region. University of Dar-es-Salaam Library Journal, 11(1), pp.39-52. Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/udslj/article/view/162188

Lwehabura, M.J. (2018). An assessment of information literacy skills among first-year postgraduate students at Sokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 50(4), pp.427-434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000616667802

Malanga, F.D. and Jorosi, B.N. (2018). Information literacy skills among the undergraduate students at the University of Livingstonia, Malawi. International Journal of Library and Information Services (IJLIS), 7(2), pp.43-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/IJLIS.2018070104

Manyerere, J.J. (2015). Information behaviour of rural women involved in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Chamwino and Manyoni Districts of Central Tanzania (PhD Thesis, Kwazul-Natal University). Retrieved from https://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za/items/1205b942-d9de-4823-8e27-c57276d9d08f

Marwa, A. (2017). Faculty and Students Perceptions about E-learning for Enhancing Interactive Learning in Higher Learning Institutions in Tanzania (PhD Thesis, Open University of Tanzania). Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/64928664/Faculty_and_Students_Perceptions_about_E_learning_for_Enhancing_Interactive_Learning_in_Higher_Learning_Institutions_in_Tanzania

Mason, V.A. (2019). Identifying to What Extent First-Year College Students Synthesize Research Writing Using Information Literacy Standards (PhD Thesis, North-central University). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/openview/c4b38b5ea3ce9a75ac23b94e0aa654bb/1?cbl=18750&diss=y&pq-origsite=gscholar

Mwinyimbegu, C.M. (2018). The role of libraries and librarians in open educational resources in Tanzania: the case of selected public universities libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice, pp. 1-15. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2097/

Ndenje-Sichalwe, E. and Elia, E.F. (2021). Research methodology practices among postgraduate Information Studies students in Tanzania. IFLA journal, 47(2), pp.129-141. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035220965986

Nihuka, K.A., and Voogt, J. (2012). Collaborative e-learning course design: impacts on instructors in the Open University of Tanzania. Australian Journal of Education Technology, 28 (2). https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.871

Oyewo, R. O. and Asiyanbi, R. M. K. (2020). Library Information Literacy Programmes and Library Use by the Polytechnic of Ibadan Students. Middle Belt Journal of Library and Information Science, 18. HLA, pp. 134-151. https://www.mbjlisonline.org/index.php/jlis/article/view/10

Pitocco, C. (2013). Information Seeking Behaviours of Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Long Island University, CW Post Center. UMI, United States of America, pp. 1-119. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/142.suppl1.195

Radhakrishnan, N and Alagumalai, E. (2020). Supporting of LIS professional in implementation of online learning platform in higher educational institutes in the United Arab Emirates: A study. Kala 26(2): 212–217. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348216249_SUPPORTING_OF_LIS_PROFESSIONAL_IN_IMPLEMENTATION_OF_ONLINE_LEARNING_PLATFORM_IN_HIGHER_EDUCATIONAL_INSTITUTES_IN_THE_UNITED_ARAB_EMIRATES_A_STUDY

Saarijärvi, M. and Bratt, E. L. (2021). When face-to-face interviews are not possible: tips and tricks for video, telephone, online chat, and email interviews in qualitative research. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 20, pp. 392-396. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvab038

Safdar, M. and Idrees, H. (2021). Assessing Undergraduate and Post Graduate Students' Information Literacy Skills: Scenario and Requirements in Pakistan. Library Philosophy and Practice, 4875, pp.1A-33. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4875/

Saleh, N. and Large, A. (2011). Collaborative information behaviour in undergraduate group projects: A study of engineering students. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 48(1), pp.1-10. https://doi.org/10.1002/meet.2011.14504801035

Seven, Ü. S., Stoll, M., Dubbert, D., Kohls, C., Werner, P. and Kalbe, E. (2021). Perception, attitudes, and experiences regarding mental health problems and web-based mental health information amongst young people with and without migration background in Germany. A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1), p.81. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010081

Shah, C., Capra, R. and Hansen, P., 2016, January. Workshop on social and collaborative information seeking (SCIS). In ACM SIGIR Forum, New York, NY, USA: ACM, 49(2), pp. 117-122.

Shahid, K. Nainar, K. Olsen, R. L., Lov, F., Lyhne, M., and Morgante, G. (2021). On the use of common information model for smart grid applications: a conceptual approach. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 12(6), pp. 5060-5072. Retrieved from https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9478925

Stratton, S.J. (2021). Population research: convenience sampling strategies. Prehospital and disaster Medicine, 36(4), pp.373-374. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X21000649

Thindwa, T., Chawinga, W.D. and Dube, G. (2019). Information seeking behaviour of security studies students: A case study, South African Journal of Information Management, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v21i1.1048

Thomas, G. (2021). How to do your case study, 3rd ed. London: Sage Publications Limited. Retrieved from https://buku.io/book/75504/how-to-do-your-case-study-3

Wema, E.F. (2021). Developing information literacy courses for students through virtual learning environments in Tanzania: Prospects and challenges. IFLA Journal, 47(4), pp.559-569. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352211018231

Zaqout, F. and Abbas, M. (2012). Towards a model for understanding the influence of the factors that stimulate university students' engagement and performance in knowledge sharing. Library Review, 61(5), pp.345-361. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00242531211280478

Zhang, C., Yang, Z., He, X., and Deng, L. (2020). Multimodal intelligence: Representation learning, information fusion, and applications. IEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing, 14(3),478-49. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/abs/1911.03977




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejoe.v10i1.5923

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright © 2016-2026. European Journal of Open Education and E-learning Studies (ISSN 2501-9120) is a registered trademark of Open Access Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

This journal is a serial publication uniquely identified by an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) serial number certificate issued by Romanian National Library (Biblioteca Nationala a Romaniei). All the research works are uniquely identified by a CrossRef DOI digital object identifier supplied by indexing and repository platforms.

All the research works published on this journal are meeting the Open Access Publishing requirements and can be freely accessed, shared, modified, distributed and used in educational, commercial and non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).