How information anxiety influences research self-efficacy among academicians: A case of higher education institutions from Azad Jammu and Kashmir

This study investigated the way information anxiety (IA) affects research self-efficacy among academicians in the Higher Education institutions from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This study opted for a quantitative approach and survey research design to conduct this research. A total of 380 responses were gathered from university academicians using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied in SPSS-26 for data analysis. The study outcomes revealed information anxiety prevalence among the academicians. No statistically significant mean difference in the mean scores of information anxiety based on age, area of study and work experience while no statistically significant mean difference in the mean scores of RSE on gender, qualification, designation, and job experience. However, academicians research experience appeared to be associated with IA negatively and RSE positively. These findings also discovered the statistically significant but inverse interrelationship of IA with RSE. This research has profound implications for both theory and practice. In terms of theoretical background, this study filled a knowledge gap in literature by providing empirical support in founding IA as a barrier for RSE. These findings could support the policy makers for reducing the effects of information anxiety on RSE. It also provides deep insight into information professionals in university libraries to introduce IL education to mitigate IA among academicians. The study contributes to literature by explaining the interrelationship between information anxiety and research self-efficacy under a particular condition, as no such comprehensive research is available so far in this field.