Refining the definition of information literacy:

the experience of contextual knowledge creation

Abstract

A recently-conducted phenomenographic research study described six ways of experiencing information literacy (IL) in nursing practice. These findings and a re-interpretation of those of several other studies into IL experience, appear to show that such experience is always focused on context-specific knowledge creation. This suggests that those definitions of IL which focus on information gathering processes but not on their outcomes could be refined in a way which shows its role and value in a more explicit manner. Such a refinement might yield greater understanding and prominence for IL outside the information professions.