Midrar Ullah

The Journal of Ayub Medical College: a 10-year bibliometric study.

OBJECTIVE To conduct a bibliometric evaluation of the Journal of Ayub Medical College (JAMC), Abbottabad, Pakistan. METHODS The data of articles, citations and authors of JAMC from 1997 to 2006 were collected and analysed in terms of bibliometric parameters. RESULTS The number of articles published per year ranges between 27 and 97; most of the articles (47.2%) have 11-20 citations. Three-author contributions ranked the highest (134; 23.43%); the most prolific authors contributed seven articles; 295 (51.57%) of the authors are geographically affiliated to the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan; the most popular subject is Internal Medicine; journal self-cited references are 43; 7769 (77.94%) of the citations were from foreign journals; the most productive institution is Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan. CONCLUSION The number of papers published in JAMC per issue has been increasing over the last 10 years, and the core region is NWFP, Pakistan. Original articles are the main type of papers for this journal. The publication is open for all fields of medical sciences.

Professional Activities, Needed Competencies and Training Needs of Medical Librarians in Pakistan.

The study aims to explore the professional activities, needed competencies and education/training needs of medical librarians in Pakistan. The following questions guided the study: what are the current professional activities of medical librarians in Pakistan? What is their perception of the competencies needed of medical librarians? And what are their training and education needs? Twenty medical librarians were identified through purposive sampling. An interview guide was prepared after expert review and pilot testing. Personal and telephone interviews were conducted to collect the data. Data were analysed using content analysis methods. Sixteen (80%) out of 20 medical librarians could be approached. The findings reveal that the medical librarians were generally involved in traditional kinds of professional activities. They were unaware of the latest trends in medical librarianship. Out of ten competencies mentioned by the respondents “ability to use ICT and integrated library software”, “verbal and written communication skills” and “extensive knowledge of Pub Med and other medical databases” were ranked first, second and third respectively. The opportunities of specialized education and training are also limited for medical librarians. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that formal training programs should be initiated for medical librarians in Pakistan by MELAP, CPSP and library schools.

Developing competencies for medical librarians in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE To identify competencies for medical librarians and get these validated from head librarians and employers. METHODS The survey method was used. A structured questionnaire, listing 84 competency statements, covering eight areas, prepared after extensive literature review, expert scrutiny and pilot testing, using a 5-point Likert scale was distributed among the head librarians and chairpersons of library committees (CLC) in 115 medical libraries. RESULTS Sixty seven (58%) useable responses were received from head librarians and 63 (55%) from CLC. Of the 84 competency statements 83 were validated by the head librarians, 44 receiving four or higher mean score while the other 39 statements getting mean scores in the range of 3.97 and 3.06. The CLC validated 80 statements. Only 27 statements received four or higher mean score from CLC while the other 53 got mean scores in the range of 3.97 and 3.22. CONCLUSIONS Medical librarians are required to be well versed with all those competencies which are needed for general librarianship. In addition, they are expected to have adequate knowledge of health sciences environment including medical terminologies and concepts. Sound knowledge of some competencies specific for medical libraries is an additional requirement for library personnel.

Current status of information literacy instruction practices in medical libraries of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES The research explored the current practices of information literacy (IL) instruction in medical libraries of Pakistan. METHODS A semi-structured questionnaire was mailed to the head librarians of all 114 academic medical libraries in Pakistan. It investigated the types of IL instruction provided, topics covered, methods of delivery and assessment, level of integration in the curriculum, and level of collaboration with teaching staff. RESULTS The study revealed that 74% of the respondents had offered some types of IL instruction in their institutions during the previous year, ranging from library orientation to research-level skills. IL instruction is typically only offered to new students or first-time library users or on demand. A majority of the respondents developed IL instruction programs without faculty involvement. Librarians were primarily responsible for offering IL instruction in medical institutions. Face-to-face instruction in computer labs or lecture halls and individual instruction at reference desks were identified as the most common IL instruction delivery methods. The data indicated that oral feedback, written feedback, and searching in a computer lab were the most popular assessment methods that medical librarians used. CONCLUSION IL instruction activities in medical libraries of Pakistan are in their infancy. Medical librarians also lack systematic approaches to IL instruction. IMPLICATIONS Medical librarians need to develop educational partnerships with faculty for integrating IL instruction into the mainstream curriculum.

Rating Pakistani medical journals using the principles of citation analysis

OBJECTIVE To quantify the impact of Pakistani Medical Journals using the principles of citation analysis. METHODS References of articles published in 2006 in three selected Pakistani medical journals were collected and examined. The number of citations for each Pakistani medical journal was totalled. The first ranking of journals was based on the total number of citations; second ranking was based on impact factor 2006 and third ranking was based on the 5-year impact factor. Self-citations were excluded in all the three ratings. RESULTS A total of 9079 citations in 567 articles were examined. Forty-nine separate Pakistani medical journals were cited. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association remains on the top in all three rankings, while Journal of College of Physicians and Surgeons-Pakistan attains second position in the ranking based on the total number of citations. The Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences moves to second position in the ranking based on the impact factor 2006. The Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad moves to second position in the ranking based on the 5-year impact factor. CONCLUSION This study examined the citation pattern of Pakistani medical journals. The impact factor, despite its limitations, is a valid indicator of quality for journals.

Strategies for the Effective Implementation of Information Literacy Instruction in Medical Libraries of Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to propose appropriate strategies that could be adopted for the effective implementation of information literacy (IL) instruction in academic medical libraries of Pakistan. Head librarians of academic medical institutions were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results have revealed that IL skills of library users have been perceived by the head librarians as inadequate. Respondents identified workshops/seminars and formal in-class teaching as part of the main curriculum as the most effective IL instruction delivery methods. The majority of the respondents were in favor of integrating IL instruction into the curriculum as a credit course. An overwhelming majority of the respondents was of the opinion that both librarians and faculty should design IL curriculum. However, respondents were divided and undecided regarding the role of the teaching faculty in imparting IL instruction.

International trends in health science librarianship part 12: South Asia (India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka).

This is the 12th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship. This issue describes developments in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century in South Asia. The three contributors report on challenges facing health science librarians in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There is consensus as to the need for education, training and professional development. Starting in the next issue, the focus will turn to Africa, starting with countries in southern Africa. JM.

Modes of soft skills learning: a case of university information professionals’ in Pakistan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the university information professionals (UIPs) preferred modes of soft skills learning and differences in their opinions based on gender, designations and experience. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research design using a questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed through SPSSS version 20.0, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The population of the study included all the UIPs working in the central libraries of the general public sector 33 universities in Pakistan, with nearly a population of 560. Findings The major findings showed that “mentoring sessions by experts” was the most preferred mode of soft skills learning followed by “learning from colleagues”. It showed that UIPs preferred to learn soft skills from experts and colleagues. Independent-samples t-test results found that “mentoring session by experts” was more preferred by females than males. A one-way ANOVA results found significant differences of opinion regarding the “mentoring session by experts” method between librarians and assistant librarians (p = 0.044). Results were statistically significant also between more experienced and less experienced regarding “real project/assignment-based method” and “mentoring session by experts”. In addition, for “formal online courses” and “self-training through reading books”, results were statistically significant between experienced groups of 1-5 years and 11-15 years. Overall results indicated that from UIPs’ perspective, soft skills should be taught to them using face-to-face methods. Originality/value This is the first study in Pakistan that dealt with the preferred modes of soft skills learning of UIPs by using a large group (N = 372) of respondents.

Information Literacy Instruction: An Overview of Research and Professional Development in Pakistan

This paper aims to present an overview of information literacy (IL) instruction in Pakistan from the following perspectives: research literature produced; IL instruction as a credit course at LIS schools; and continuing professional development (CPD) activities for information professionals. This study was based on a review of the literature on IL, a survey of LIS schools, searching through the electronic messages archives of the professional groups, and exchange of information with peers. The findings revealed that 13 research papers were published on IL from Pakistan. Out of 12 LIS schools, four offered a 3-credit hour course on IL instruction at the Masters level. Continuing professional development opportunities were limited in Pakistan. A few university libraries just started formal IL programs. We recommended that IL be included in the curriculum at all LIS schools. Research studies on different aspects of IL must be conducted. LIS schools and associations must prepare the professionals to run IL instruction programs.