Peer-led information literacy training: a qualitative study of students’ experiences of the NICE Evidence search Student Champion Scheme

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Evidence search Student Champion Scheme aims to enable undergraduate health and social care students to teach their peers skills for information literacy (IL), thereby encouraging future evidence-based practice.

Objectives: To analyse the Student Champions’ teaching methods; discover what effects the Scheme had on their IL; and uncover any differences between disciplines.

Methods: 51 reflective reports, written by Student Champions and submitted to NICE, were thematically analysed using a non-linear six-stage model. Four health disciplines from academic year 2017/18 were featured.

Results: (i) Students preferred active teaching methods; (ii) reported benefits of participation included gaining/developing new skills and increased confidence; (iii) students believed that participating improved their skills for IL; (iv) multiple recommendations for improving the Scheme were given; and (v) students wanted the Scheme to be offered earlier in their degrees.

Discussion: Champions from all disciplines positively benefit from participating in the Scheme. However, they also have concerns which are not well-documented in the literature.

Conclusion: Student Champions have overall positive experiences. There is demonstrated improvement in their IL and they become familiar with a useful evidence-based practice resource. They also offer recommendations for future improvements to the Scheme.