The Effect of Type of Universities of Medical Sciences on Medical Student's Information literacy Skills

Information literacy refers to the total skills a person requires to survive in an informational society. This research aimed to assess the effect of type of universities of medical sciences on medical students’ information literacy skills by comparing the information literacy of senior medical students in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences in east, southeast, and southwest of the country.
This cross-sectional research was conducted in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences in 2013. A questionnaire was used to assess the level of cognition and utilization of information resources among senior medical students. Then, the data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software, version 16.
According to the findings, 54% of the research population were male and 46% were female. Besides, 47%, 33%, and 20% studied in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences, respectively. The mean information literacy of the senior medical students was 4.02 in type 1, 3.51 in type 2, and 2.97 in type 3 universities of medical sciences. Thus, information literacy of the research community in types 1, 2, and 3 universities of medical sciences were favorable, partly favorable, and average, respectively.
Expansion of research facilities in type 1 universities has provided the ground for performing research activities and students’ mastering on information literacy skills. Therefore, comprehensive attention should be paid to student research committees of types 2 and 3 universities in order to improve students’ information literacy skills.