INFORMATION LITERACY SKILLS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE NIGERIAN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, OGBOMOSO OYO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines information literacy skills and academic performance of postgraduate students at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, Oyo state. Two hundred and eighty-five (285) questionnaires are administered among doctoral students of three faculties in the institution. The questionnaire was tagged: (ILSAPPG QUESTIONNAIRE)—the study esteem information literacy skills as identifying, finding, evaluating, selecting, applying and communicating. The study used (SPSS) statistical product and services solution. The instrument comprises the statement on which the respondents agree or disagree on a 4-point Likert scale. The hypothesis was tested with a significant level of (0.05). The findings of the study revealed that there is a positive correlation between the two variables (information literacy as the independent variable and academic performance as the dependent variable), considering the correlation coefficient and significant value of (r=0.228 :< 0.05). The study further indicates a meaningful relationship between academic performances highly influenced by information literacy skills. Finally, the study recommends that postgraduate students should understand how to use online information sources such as indexes and abstracts and know how to communicate information retrieved online effectively; they learn how to use OPAC, familiar with the Boolean operator for research; they should also understand the concept of fair use, copyright and plagiarism. The study concludes that information literacy skills are a pillar for learning in our contemporary world.