Information literacy-related practices in the legal workplace: The applicability of Kuhlthau’s model to the legal profession

• Published in: Journal of librarianship and information science Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 326 - 346
• Main Authors: Lawal, Vicki, Stilwell, Christine, Kuhn, Rosemary, Underwood, Peter G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.12.2014; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; General aspects; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Sciences and techniques of general use; Nigeria; Africa; Nigeria task complexity; Information literacy; legal education; uncertainty; Information Search Process model; Uncertainty; Work place; Profession; Education; Information retrieval; Models; Complexity; Teaching
• ISSN: 0961-0006; 1741-6477
• DOI: 10.1177/0961000614531158

This article examines evidence of information literacy in the context of legal education and legal practice in Nigeria. It seeks to explore the application of Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process model as the dominant framework used in investigating issues of uncertainty and task complexity in a study conducted among graduate lawyers in Nigeria. The article provides an analysis of the empirical validity of the model in investigating the connection between learning, experience and the development of expertise among novice practitioners in the legal workplace in Nigeria. Data were obtained using quantitative and qualitative approaches while a case study method was employed for the study. Based on the findings of the study, the article offers insight into the role of the cognitive and affective dimensions in information seeking and the implications they have on issues of curriculum design, teaching methods and learning experiences in the context of legal education and practice in Nigeria.