A domain-specific test of procedural knowledge about information searching for students of computer science

Abstract

In three studies we constructed a standardized test of procedural knowledge about information searching tailored to the domain of computer science, the PIKE-CS (Procedural information literacy knowledge test for computer science students). A skill decomposition was used to identify nine sub skills which can be classified into two broader categories: Development of search strategies and Application of search strategies. Based on the ratings of experts (N=7), a scoring key was developed. In a pilot study the test was administered to a sample of computer science students (N=18). The scale reached an internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of α=.78. Finally, the items were administered to N=89 first-year computer science students. The mean difference between subjects with vs. without programming experience in a professional context-which can be interpreted as a proxy for search experience-is significant, pointing to the validity of the test.