PhD Students in the Humanities: Understanding the Information Behaviour of Graduate Information Literacy Course Participants

Abstract

The study examines whether an information literacy module/course is an appropriate method of intervention during the initial months of a humanities PhD, and if there is more that can be learned from the course participants that might provide a better understanding of their information behaviour. This can enable the Library to further develop its approach to supporting them. Despite the relatively generic nature of the PG6009 module, and the diversity of humanities research, the course had clear benefits for the participants. The study confirmed that first year is a time when PhD researchers in the humanities are scoping and changing topics. The participants reported that the most appropriate time to attend this module is during the initial months of the PhD. Some preferred to attend particular units later as stand-alone workshops. There is scope for further one-to-one contact with librarians and additional follow-up sessions on specific topics.