The Impact of Library Tutorials on the Information Literacy Skills of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Students in an Evidence-Based Practice Course: A Rubric Assessment

ABSTRACT

This study measures how online library instructional tutorials implemented into an evidence-based practice course have impacted the information literacy skills of occupational and physical therapy graduate students. Through a rubric assessment of final course papers, this study compares differences in students’ search strategies and cited sources pre- and post-implementation of the tutorials. The population includes 180 randomly selected graduate students from before and after the library tutorials were introduced into the course curriculum. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in components of students’ searching skills and ability to find higher levels of evidence after completing the library tutorials.

KEYWORDS:

• Allied health students
• e-learning
• evidence-based practice
• information literacy
• library tutorials
• rubric assessment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

April J. Schweikhard

April J. Schweikhard, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Associate Professor, Scholarly Communications Librarian, Horace W. Sturgis Library, Kennesaw State University, 385 Cobb Avenue, Kennesaw, GA 30144. At the time this article was written, Ms. Schweikhard was Assistant Professor, Reference and Instructional Services Librarian, Schusterman Library, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.

Toni Hoberecht

Toni Hoberecht, MA, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Assistant Professor, Technical Services Librarian, Schusterman Library, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, 4502 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135.

Alyssa Peterson

Alyssa Peterson, MLIS ([email protected]) is Medical Librarian, Schusterman Library, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, 4502 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135.

Ken Randall

Ken Randall, PT, PhD, MHR ([email protected]) is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Community Engagement for the College of Allied Health and Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, 4502 East 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135.