Information Literacy Competencies as a Predictor of Research Productivity of Librarians in Universities in South-South, Nigeria.

Abstract

At this study, information literacy skills were examined as a potential predictor of librarians' research output at South-South universities in Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. 217 librarians from the university libraries of the 16 public universities in South-South, Nigeria, made up the study's population. The study employed total enumeration sampling methods. Data gathering involved the use of a questionnaire. Utilising frequency, percentage, and statistical mean, data were analysed. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was used to test the hypothesis at the significance level of 0.05. The research discovered that university librarians possessed a high level of information literacy skills, including the capacity to confirm reputable authors and source credibility of any information source, the capacity to cite all consulted materials while using information materials for research purposes, and expertise in the creation of bibliographies and references from the materials retrieved. Publication output was highest for journal articles while others such as technical reports and text books were low. Information literacy skills and research output among university librarians in South-South, Nigeria, are significantly correlated. The study consequently advised librarians to take advantage of any techniques that can raise their level of information literacy proficiency. The librarians should receive regular training in the modern methods of conducting research.