This thesis presents a study of students' ways of experiencing information literacy when
researching an essay in a first year university course. The aims of the study were to
contribute to an understanding and awareness of information literacy from the students'
experience, and to inform curriculum design for information literacy education.
The study involved semi-structured interviews with 20 undergraduate students enrolled
in a first year environmental studies course at the Australian National University in
2002. A phenomenographic approach was used as the methodological and theoretical
basis for the study. This research was modelled on Limberg's (1998) study of Year 12
students researching an assignment. It is positioned between Limberg's study and
Bruce's (1997) study of higher educators' conceptions of information literacy.
The experience of information literacy included the interrelationship between the essay,
information and learning. The way in which students experienced a focus on learning,
focus on the essay task, use of information in the course, use of information in the
essay, use of contrasting perspectives and development of argument formed the
qualitative differences in experience. Students experienced information literacy when
researching an essay as: looking for evidence to backup an existing argument; using
background information to develop an argument; and applying learning to help solve
environmental problems. A further outcome of the study is that information literacy is
framed as a learning approach. These outcomes may have significance for students,
teachers, librarians, academic skills advisors, academic developers, policy makers and
administrators in higher education.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218612 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Lupton, Mandy, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Professional Communication |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Mandy Lupton |
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