Exploring attitudes towards information competencies of students and faculty: A disciplinary perspective

Based on the importance related to a number of generic information literacy competencies, as stated by students and faculty members at a single institution, the aim of this paper is a deeper understanding of the structure which underlies this motivation component. From a starting exploratory factor analysis, Structural Equation Modeling statistics provides a model of structural relationships based on three motivational categories, related to seeking, analysis-evaluation and information synthesis-communication. This provisionally accepted Seeking-Analysis-Synthesis model allows for the better knowledge of belief-in-importance differences between groups of students and faculty, as well as among five areas of knowledge. A series of weak points in need of specific motivational interventions has been identified