Information Literacy Skills among the Research Scholars and Faculty Members of Universities and Research Institutes of Jammu

Abstract

Information literacy skills are essential for research scholars and faculty members in universities and research institutes to effectively navigate the vast and dynamic landscape of information resources. The research investigates the information literacy competencies of two universities (University of Jammu and SKUAST-J) and two research institutes (IIT-J and IIM-J) aiming to identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in information literacy education and practice. Tools applied for data collection are structured questionnaire and interviews .A well - planned and structured questionnaire will administered for data collection in the present study. The questionnaire will be developed by the researcher in consultation with experts in the field, and had sufficient reliability and validity. Total 480 questionnaires are distributed, out of which 391 are received and in total 391, 247 are filled by faculty members and 144 are dully filled by research scholars. newlineKey findings indicate that while research scholars generally demonstrate proficient skills in digital information retrieval and citation management, they often encounter challenges in critically evaluating information and understanding ethical considerations in information use. Faculty members exhibit strengths in synthesizing and applying scholarly information but may struggle with integrating emerging digital tools into their teaching and research practices. Both groups express a need for continuous professional development in information literacy to keep pace with technological advancements and evolving scholarly communication practices. The research proposes recommendations to enhance information literacy education and support within academic institutions. These include integrating information literacy competencies into curriculum frameworks, developing targeted training programs for faculty and scholars, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and improving access to digital resources and library services. By contributing empirical