Information literacy skills test development
The information literacy skills test for this study was developed
based on an extensive literature review, study of the 2000 ACRL information
literacy standards, and the library research skills assessment
surveys used for UCO1200 and ENG1000 during 2009–2013 period.
The test included five parts: Research strategies (6 questions); Resource
types (5 questions); Scholarly vs. popular (6 questions); Evaluating
websites (3 questions); and Demographic information (3 questions).
In addition, the test collected information about students' major and
class levels during the spring 2014 semester. In fall semester 2014,
two questionswere added to the test: the number of library instruction
sessions received and other library services (e.g. individual consultations,
online tutorials, service desks, library research guides) students
used in order to complete their writing assignments. All questions
were multiple choice questions. See Appendix A for the information literacy
skills test.
Thirty undergraduate students took the test in a pilot study early in
each semester in 2014. Cronbach's alphas, measuring the internal consistency
of the test questions, for four parts (Research strategies, Resource
types, Scholarly vs. popular, Evaluating websites) were 0.974,
0.873, 0.814 and 0.871 respectively. Five librarians reviewed the test
questions. Minor revisions were made to the questions based on the
pilot study and librarians' feedback.
The information literacy skills test was posted online through
SelectSurvey. The test was administered by librarians and instructors
during regular class meeting times