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Information literacy in the graduate study curriculum at the School of Medicine, University of Zagreb
Lea Škorić
orcid.org/0000-0002-1545-5791
; Središnja medicinska knjižnica Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Marijan Šember
; Središnja medicinska knjižnica Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Helena Markulin
; Središnja medicinska knjižnica Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Jelka Petrak
orcid.org/0000-0003-1481-2598
; Središnja medicinska knjižnica Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Mastering the art of information literacy is a prerequisite for lifelong learning and successful coping with the information overburdened environment. Academic libraries play an important role in developing the skills of finding, selecting, assessing and using information, with an emphasis on independent learning, critical thinking and problem solving. Central Medical Library at School of Medicine, University of Zagreb (CML) has been participating in all educational activities of its parent institution, whereat the participation in the graduate MD program is of a particular importance. As a part of the compulsory course Introduction to Research in Medicine the CML independently performs an instructional module on medical information resources. During the 2011 fall semester, immediately after the course, a survey of student opinions on the teaching content was conducted. The questionnaire contained four multiple choice questions, and a total of 254 students responded. The results have shown that the vast majority of students believe that such content should be a mandatory part of the curriculum. Also, more than half of the students consider the familiarization with the available bibliographic databases and their respective search methods as the most useful part of the instruction, and believe that the acquired knowledge will be useful for their further studies. Answers to the question about the impact that the contents of the module could have on their attitudes to information literacy are evenly distributed between a) contribution to information literacy in general, b) increased awareness of the importance of medical information, c) help in discriminating reliable from less reliable information sources, and d) influence on information behaviour in their professional life. The results of this survey provide further evidence on the importance of a systematic approach to teaching specific information skills in the higher education setting.
Keywords
information literacy; medical students; curriculum; Central Medical Library at the School of Medicine at University of Zagreb
Hrčak ID:
106571
URI
Publication date:
12.3.2013.
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