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Exploring experiences regarding information literacy competencies among nursing students at Aga Khan University, Uganda

Sarah Nakaziba (The Aga Khan University, Kampala, Uganda)
Sarah Kaddu (Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda)
Mary Namuguzi (The Aga Khan University, Kampala, Uganda)
Arnold Mwanzu (The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 20 December 2022

Issue publication date: 7 March 2023

292

Abstract

Purpose

The study sought to assess and evaluate the information literacy experiences and competencies of nursing students at Aga Khan University, Uganda. A review of information literacy (IL) programs was done to establish the competencies students acquired from the library staff and examine the contribution of IL competencies to the effective utilization of library information resources.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative descriptive research design was used to describe the participants' experiences regarding IL competencies. The study population included 35 nursing students pursuing a diploma of science in nursing in the second year of study. Purposive sampling was utilized to identify only second-year diploma students who had undertaken the IL training. The study utilized individual interviews and open-ended questionnaires.

Findings

The study found that nursing students who attained some IL competencies could easily locate the required information; IL was not integrated into the curriculum as a stand-alone course unit, but rather a few elements were embedded in some of the nursing course units like research, nursing informatics and academic writing. Furthermore, there was no well-developed IL curriculum used for teaching the subject. The study also noted that there was a minimum collaboration between the faculty and librarians in teaching IL at AKU. Findings showed there was a gap in the IL program delivery.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on the subject by bringing together current views and opinions of the three populations involved to present a more comprehensive view of the challenges academia faces regarding teaching and student acquisition of IL skills.

Keywords

Citation

Nakaziba, S., Kaddu, S., Namuguzi, M. and Mwanzu, A. (2023), "Exploring experiences regarding information literacy competencies among nursing students at Aga Khan University, Uganda", Library Management, Vol. 44 No. 1/2, pp. 97-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2022-0071

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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