Self-Assessment of information retrieval skills in using electronic information resources: A case study of Maseno university students

Abstract

Due to the rapid growth of World Wide Web and increased use of ICT, academic libraries worldwide have positioned themselves to be on par with the technological changes by providing services to their clients’ changing needs. One of the services that has globally been embraced by the academic libraries is the provision of electronic information resources. The acquisition of the electronic information resources has either been done collectively through consortia or individually by the institutions. The optimal use of these resources is greatly dependant on the retrieval skills of individuals. This study investigated the information retrieval skills of Maseno University students using the electronic information resources. In general, the study focussed on their own self-assessment on how they rate their skills. The objectives of the study were to: determine key findings relevant to the study from the subject literature, find out how the students at Maseno University use electronic information resources available through the library, determine how students at Maseno University self-rate their ICT skills relevant to information retrieval, determine how students at Maseno University self-rate their information retrieval skills, and to review their ability of self-rating, Through a descriptive quantitative case study research approach, the study used a self-administered electronic questionnaire as the instrument for data collection. The participants were 275 students (90% undergraduates and 10% postgraduate). The study established that the majority of the students showed that both their information retrieval skills and their ability to self-rate their skills was good. The study further revealed that the majority of the students had good ICT skills. From this study, several factors emerged that could help in improving the students’ information retrieval skills, namely: regular practice, training, self-learning, self-efficacy and positive attitude. Recommendations were made for theory and practice and for further research.