Information literacy skills among female students in Kuwaiti high schools

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to measure the level of information literacy skills in Kuwaiti high schools. Design/methodology/approach - Survey method was used for this study. The population frame consisted of the female students in the 11th grade of the largest governorate in Kuwait "AL-Asema'' which reflected the conditions and environment of a majority of high schools in Kuwait. A cluster random sample was picked of 11th grade classes of girls' schools in the governorate. The sample thus consisted of a total of 263 students in the randomly selected clusters. A questionnaire was designed and personally administered. Data thus collected were analyzed. Findings - It was found that a majority of Kuwaiti high school students lacked skills in catalog searching and use, selection of information sources, formulation of search strategies, and selection of pertinent sources. Similarly, a majority of them did not make effective use of their public or school libraries. Most of them had not borrowed a book for more than 13 weeks. Originality/value - No such research has been conducted in this region. This study provides useful analysis of the prevailing situation that might help in planning and managing information literacy programs in these schools.