Developing and evaluating an interactive information skills tutorial.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and evaluate a web-based interactive information skills tutorial integrated into the curriculum. To determine whether the tutorial was acceptable to students and explore the use of a skills assessment tool in identifying whether the tutorial improved skills.


METHODS
The development of a tutorial on OVID medline to teach transferable information skills. A small cohort study to evaluate students' views on the tutorial and its effects on information skills.


RESULTS
Thirteen objective assessments were usable. There was a statistically significant improvement in mean final assessment scores, compared with mean pre-training scores, F(2,14) = 11.493, P = 0.001. Eleven (85%) students had improved their overall information skills. The improvement in overall searching skills was enhanced by referral to the tutorial.


CONCLUSIONS
The tutorial was successfully developed and integrated into a Masters programme curriculum. In this setting, it appears to reinforce active learning, and was well received by students, who developed core generic searching skills and demonstrated improved information skills in the short and longer term. Students could use the tutorial for revision and study at a time and place of their choosing. Further evaluation is required to assess the impact of using the tutorial with large groups of students, and as a stand-alone teaching medium.
Grant
Maria J
MJ
Salford Centre for Nursing, Midwifery and Collaborative Research, Institute for Health and Social Care Research, University of Salford, Salford, UK. m.j.grant@salford.ac.uk
Brettle
Alison J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003200:Computer User Training / Q000379:methods; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods*; D011361:Professional Competence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D006113:United Kingdom