Health Information Literacy and Competencies of Information Age Students: Results from the Interactive Online Research Readiness Self-Assessment (RRSA)

摘要: BACKGROUND: In an era of easy access to information, university students who will soon enter health professions need develop their information competencies. The Research Readiness Self-Assessment (RRSA) is based on the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, and it measures proficiency in obtaining evaluating quality understanding plagiarism. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed measure college-age consumers finding electronic information; assess ability discriminate between peer-reviewed scholarly resources opinion pieces or sales pitches; examine extent which they are aware level competency. METHODS: An interactive 56-item online assessment, (RRSA), was used competencies students. We invited 400 take part study, 308 participated, giving a response rate 77%. RRSA included multiple-choice questions problem-based exercises. Declarative procedural knowledge were assessed three domains: plagiarism. Actual performance contrasted with self-reported skill level. Upon answering all questions, received results page that summarized numerical displayed individually tailored feedback composed by experienced librarian. RESULTS: Even though most (89%) understood one-keyword search likely return too many documents, few able narrow using multiple categories simultaneously employing Boolean operators. addition, nearly half respondents had trouble discriminating primary secondary sources as well references journal articles other published documents. When presented questionable websites nonexistent nutritional supplements, only 50% correctly identify website trustworthy features. Less than quarter participants reached correct conclusion none made good case taking supplements. Up 45% unsure if needed provide ideas expressed paraphrased sentences whose structure modified. Most (84%) believed research skills good, very excellent. Students’ self-perceptions tended increase increasing education. Self-reported weakly correlated actual level, operationalized overall score (Cronbach alpha = .78 56 items). CONCLUSIONS: While majority think excellent, them unable conduct advanced searches, judge trustworthiness health-related articles, differentiate various sources. self-reports may not be accurate predictor competencies. [J Med Internet Res 2006;8(2):e6]