Research Article (Preprint): “Effectiveness of Academic Library Research Guides for Building College Students’ Information Literacy Skills: A Scoping Review”

The research article (preprint) linked below is shared on the DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

Title

Effectiveness of Academic Library Research Guides for Building College Students’ Information Literacy Skills: A Scoping Review

Authors

Erica DeFrain
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Leslie Sult
University of Arizona

Nicole F. Pagowsky
University of Arizona

Source

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Author Accepted Manuscript is Scheduled For Publication in:
College and Research Libraries (September 2025)

Abstract

Academic library research guides, ubiquitous tools for teaching information literacy, lack robust evidence for their effectiveness. This scoping review considered 1,724 publications, ultimately reporting on findings from 61 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Studies reviewed were highly individualized and primarily exploratory and correlational, with most using mixed methods designs analyzing data from student surveys and web traffic sources. Most studies focused on student satisfaction or guide usability as indicators of learning effectiveness, with few assessments of skills acquisition. We undertook this scoping review to assist practitioners in developing more impactful learning tools and practices as they create and assess guides.

Direct to Full Text Article
37 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Data Files, Libraries, News