Information Literacy: Mapping of the use of information sources by health students

Abstract Information Literacy arises from the concern with the training in research and the use of technologies by future professionals. In the health area, the use of scientific information grounds the decision-making process, because the search results may potentially be transformed into action. The aim of this study is to map the information literacy of health graduates in the use of sources of information for scientific research purposes, based on standards of information literacy for higher education of the Association of College and Research Libraries. The research is a descriptive type cross-sectional study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. Three hundred and eighteen students enrolled in the Institute of Health and Society of a University in the State of São Paulo participated in undergraduate courses in Physical Education, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Social Work. It was found that the students have difficulties in establishing the need for information, low knowledge when it comes to accessing the databases available, difficulties in assessing the quality of the sources used, need to discuss the ethical use of information and they are unaware of the concept of information literacy. In conclusion, the subject needs to be explored by researchers, as well as be addressed in the training process at universities.