English abstract
The study aims to identify the current state of information literacy among the students of Sultan Qaboos University in their final year through using the Big6 model for solving information problems. The study also attempts to disclose the role of faculty and information specialists in the university for their contribution to the advancement of information literacy among students.
The study utilizes Survey Approach, and used the questionnaire as a tool to collect data from undergraduate students of Sultan Qaboos University, enrolled in their final year for the academic year 2010/2011. Collected data from (550) valid questionnaires were processed using (SPSS). These questionnaires represented (21%) of the total (2649) enrolled students. Of which male students represented (42%) and female students represented (58%). The questionnaire validity was tested by giving it to (13) referees and internal consistency was calculated to (94%) through using Alpha Cronbach.
The results indicated a consistent need to use the information by researched students at Sultan Qaboos University. The results also showed high rates of the availability of all information literacy skills. A positive influence from faculty members to increase the levels of information literacy among students was also revealed. In contrast, an acceptable lower level of the impact of information specialists in increasing information literacy skills among students is indicated by the results of the study. Nevertheless, the views of respondents coincided on the importance of information literacy for promoting diverse skills to deal with information.
The results of the inferential statistical analysis indicated statistically significant differences in the skills of analysis and organization of information attributed to the college for applied science colleges. Statistically significant differences were also existence to gender variable in favor of females in the skills of 1. determining the need for information, 2. use the information, and 3. analyzing and organizing information.
In light of these findings, the study proposed several recommendations, the most important of which is designing a program of information literacy to be supervised and executed through the collaboration of both faculty members and information specialists at SQU. The study also emphasized the need for further scientific research in the area of information literacy for the purpose of promoting and wide-spreading the importance of information literacy in the Omani academic environment of all levels.
