Information literacy and inquiry-based learning: evaluation of a 5 year programme of curriculum development

Inquiry-based learning describes a range of learner-centred pedagogies increasingly employed in Higher Education where students learn through engaging in open-ended research and inquiry. It is acknowledged that this type of pedagogical approach requires advanced information literacy capabilities in students, and that there is a need to support the development of information literacy in inquiry-based learning curricula. This paper reports on the evaluation of a selection of curriculum development projects undertaken at a UK University that implemented inquiry-based learning and information literacy development. Data was collected using a “Theory of Change” evaluation methodology and analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. It was found that educators need to make explicit to students the need to develop information literacy to support their inquiries, and that dedicated approaches to facilitation from peers, librarians and academics are helpful when designing inquiry-based learning.