The Mediating Role of Research Motivation in the Relationship between Information Literacy and Research Competence in Graduate Students

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran-Iran

2 Corresponding Author, Department of Educational Science, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

3 M. A., Department of Educational Sciences, Payame Noor University. Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective:Research competence is one of the most significant and influential factors among postgraduate students. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the mediating role of research motivation in the relationship between information literacy and research competence among graduate students at Payam Noor University in Kermanshah and Kurdistan.
Method: This is a descriptive-analytical, correlational study that examines the relationship between dependent, independent, and mediating variables using variance-based structural equations. The research population consisted of 1,200 graduate students from Payame Noor Universities in Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces in Iran, of which 270 were selected as the sample. Data collection tools included questionnaires: the research competence questionnaire by Yonsi et al. (2016), the research motivation questionnaire by Salehi et al. (2015), and the information literacy questionnaire by Yazdani (2015). SPSS software (version 22) was used for data analysis, and SmartPLS software was employed to assess the fit of the research model.
Results: The research findings revealed that information literacy has a positive and direct effect on research motivation, and research motivation, in turn, has a positive and direct effect on research competence. Additionally, information literacy directly and positively influences research competence. Furthermore, research motivation plays a mediating role in the relationship between information literacy and research competence.
Conclusions: Today, research skills are essential for graduate students. According to the results of this study, strengthening the information literacy and research motivation of graduate students can positively contribute to the development of their research skills.

Keywords

References

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Academic Librarianship and Information Research
Volume 58, Issue 3
September 2024
Pages 1-20

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