Lessons on information literacy research: A Portuguese experience

Abstract

From 2007 to 2010 we conducted a project titled Information Literacy in the European Higher Education Area: Study of Information Skills in Portugal (eLit.pt) that was funded by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation and coordinated by the University of Porto. The aim of the project was to understand how the university students face the information competences required by the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Another aim was to understand the connection between information literacy and information behavior. Thus, we designed a theoretical model (e-lit model) which was the base for planning a survey. The study was performed on a national scale, allowing to compare regions with different levels of development. The sample, approximately 2000 students from high school and university, allowed comparing their informational competences. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. In this paper we present our experience emphasizing the importance of developing effective methods for IL research.