Exploring good practice for research supervisors in

information literacy development

Sheila Corrall and Ruth Stubbings

Presentation Overview

RIN Role of research

supervisors in IL Activity

RIN 2012Launched as a new venture that aims to

improve access & management of information

community interest company research & analysis facilitation and coordination development of effective policies and

strategies

http://www.researchinfonet.org/

Role of research Supervisors in Information Literacy

Are PhD supervisors a ‘lost generation’? investigate current practices of PhD

supervisors in supporting development of IL evaluate abilities of PhD supervisors to

impart relevant skills and provide advice analyse variations across institutions and

disciplines identify where improvement would be

beneficial

Curtis+Cartwright and Cardiff University

desktop research on existing evidence strategic interviews with stakeholder

organisations online surveys of PhD supervisors (n=382)

& research students (n=907) institutional case studies (n=5) via

interviews & focus groups expert panel oversaw the project

Methodolgy

Findings of reportComplex picture

Research students look to supervisors as source of information & guidance Minority of supervisors

not engaged in student IL development

Supervisors are not always up to date

Supervisors are confident in ability to advise students on IL

IL training for supervisors /

students not always

perceived as appropriateSupervisors not familiar with the term information literacy

Student responses: IL & how develop skills

Green = highly ranked

Red = low ranked

Curtis & Cartwright Consulting (2011) The role of research supervisors in information literacy. A Research Information Network report. London: Research Information Network. p.35 Available online: http://www.rin.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/Research_supervisors_report_for_screen.pdf

Ranked IL support & guidance

Ranking Research student (self reported)

Supervisors (perceived for their students)

#1 Supervisors Supervisor

#2 Web Training courses

#3 PhD training programmes Library staff

#4 Other students Online university resources

#5 None required Other members of the research group

Curtis & Cartwright Consulting (2011) The role of research supervisors in information literacy. A Research Information Network report. London: Research Information Network. p.42 Available online: http://www.rin.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/Research_supervisors_report_for_screen.pdf

1. Make it easier for supervisors to keep up to date on what training & support is available

2. Improve development opportunities for supervisors

3. Encourage supervisors to support & discuss research students’ skills assessment

4. Consider how to position IL in institution

Recommendations from report

Group activity

In groups: identify individual & collective actions summarise proposals on flip chart

1. How should we raise awareness of training & support available?

2. Review & identify strategies for developing supervisors IL capabilities

3. How should supervisors assess students information literacy capabilities?

4. How can we brand and raise profile of information literacy?