ENHANCING INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY, PESHAWAR

Abstract

Information literacy (IL) is an essential skill in the digital age, enabling individuals to effectively locate access, analyze, and utilize information. This study evaluates the information literacy skills (ILS) of B.Sc. Honors students at Agriculture University, Peshawar, aiming to identify gaps and provide recommendations for improvement. A descriptive survey method was employed, using a closed-ended questionnaire based on American Library Association (ALA) standards, collecting data from October 2023 to May 2024. The findings revealed significant deficiencies in ILS, particularly in accessing and evaluating information. Only 21% of students visited the library daily, while 20% never utilized this resource. Internet usage was high, with 73.3% using it for emails and 64.5% for social media, indicating a preference for digital resources. The study found that 65.8% of students relied on internet sources and 49.4% on peers for research, highlighting a lack of diverse resource usage. Many students lacked skills to evaluate the reliability and authority of information sources, underscoring a critical need for improvement. Over 57% of students strongly agreed on the need for ILS training. Recommendations include implementing keyword training, library resource training, Boolean logic training, and education on copyright and plagiarism. Regular workshops and enhanced internet services within the university library are also proposed. Integrating ILS components into the academic curriculum is recommended. Future research should focus on department-wise assessments, regular updates on student skills, and comprehensive studies at different educational levels. The study underscores the critical need for enhanced ILS training to improve academic performance and research capabilities.