Personal knowledge and information management practices of life sciences research students in Pakistan

Abstract

The study investigated personal knowledge and information management (PKIM) practices of life sciences research students and also compared their PKIM practices based on gender and research programme. The study employed survey reserach design in which questionnaire was used to collect data. All MPhil. and PhD. life sciences research students at the University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan were sampled. Altogether 196 questionnaires were distributed and 114 were successfully returned with a response rate of 58 percent. The findings are presented based on the five aspects of PKIM practices of research students: (a) gathering and searching; (b) organising, keeping and securing; (c) selecting and evaluating; and (d) spreading and sharing; and (e) creating, analyzing, and presenting. The findings revealed that research student were exceptionally confident about their PKIM practices. The research students also acclaimed that they were gaining information literacy skills in practising PKIM. The PKIM practices validated in the study may help educators to design training programmes for research students in Pakistan. This study recommends library and information science researchers to investigate PKIM practices on larger scales with different populations as the idea needs more exploration to thoroughly understand the academic research environment.

Predictors affecting personal digital information management activities: A hierarchical regression analysis

“…The findings revealed that research students were exceptionally confident about their practices and skills and significant differences were found among respondents’ PKIM practices on the basis of gender and research programme. The female researchers rated their knowledge organisation skills better than their male counterparts and that the PhD research students rated their knowledge organisation skills better than their MPhil counterparts [22].…”

“…Saleem et al [22] investigated the PKIM practices of life sciences research students at University of the Punjab and also compared their PKIM practices across their gender and research programme. The findings revealed that research students were exceptionally confident about their practices and skills and significant differences were found among respondents' PKIM practices on the basis of gender and research programme.…”

Relationship between IT Self-Efficacy and Personal Knowledge and Information Management for Sustainable Lifelong Learning and Organizational Performance: A Systematic Review from 2000 to 2022

“…Some studies were also conducted through systematic review methodology on personal information management practices. Saleem et al [3] conducted a study on PKIM practices of life sciences research students in Pakistan using a survey method. Swigon [10] carried out a study on personal knowledge and information management-conception and exemplification using an exploratory approach.…”

“…Information literacy skills, provision of necessary facilities, comfortable work environment, and training opportunities motivated manpower to effectively manage personal knowledge and information for sustainable lifelong learning and efficient job output [3,29]. Training courses, positive attitude of the employers, investment in knowledge development, motivation of workers, and transformative leadership were significant drivers to motivate manpower towards PKIM [25].…”

“…PKIM practices are very important for deciding, searching, finding, collecting, organizing, managing, using, and disseminating knowledge and information [3,4]. PKIM activities are highly necessary for researchers and job professionals.…”