IMPACT OF INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR

Abstract

The effectiveness of education performance depends on accessing and equipping students with learning resources and their abilities to access essential information by achieving and progressing in IL skills. This research aimed to analyze the impact of Information Literacy (IL) skills on students' educational achievement. A quantitative research design with a survey questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of this research consisted of 843 undergraduate students of the faculty of management and information sciences of the University of Peshawar. A stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used in this study, and a sample of 263 undergraduate students was selected using the formula n_h=n/N_h. The data collected were analyzed by applying both descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS. The major findings of the research were that undergraduate students in the faculty of management and information science possessed a high level of information literacy skills, especially in evaluating and using information. Most of the respondents agreed that information literacy skills have an impact on their academic performance. Based on the findings, it was recommended that information literacy programs should be incorporated into the university's curricula as a compulsory subject. Moreover, additional efforts like orientation trainings should be arranged to enhance the information literacy skills of male students in particular.