Abstract
The role of information ethics (IE) is lauded as a catalyst for the moral and professional development of library and information professionals globally. Despite this notion, the extent to which IE is integrated into the Library and Information Science (LIS) curriculum is not fully researched. Therefore, this study explored the importance of IE integration into the LIS curriculum in higher education in Malawi focusing on the Department of Library and Information Science, Mzuzu University. The study adopted a case study design, employing a qualitative research method. The study drew concepts of IE typology as a theoretical lens postulated by Froehlich. The findings established a low-level integration of IE into the LIS curriculum. In line with the findings, the study recommends a stand-alone course or module for effective delivery and indoctrination of IE concepts and practices.
Keywords
Introduction
Information as a critical resource for education and business in the modern world is highly susceptible to unethical practices. The use and misuse of print and digital information in Africa have not been thoroughly debated or researched to inform the contemporary ethical discourse (Ndumbaro, 2018). Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals play a significant role in promoting and upholding information ethics (IE) and creation of an ethically oriented society. However, information practitioners need to be kept abreast with a vast array of knowledge in IE to ably spearhead this role. Just like their counterparts such as lawyers, medical doctors, nurses, accountants, and teachers, LIS professionals need to discharge their duties ethically (Ndwandwe, 2009). Despite this expectation and demand, previous studies point out that LIS professionals are confronted with several information ethical dilemmas due to the rapidly changing nature of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) (Ndwandwe, 2009). To this effect, Fallis (2007) suggests some of the following ethical dilemmas facing LIS professionals today:
Should we put a warning label on an encyclopedia that contains inaccurate medical information? Should we make photocopies of an article for a class when an academic library cannot afford multiple copies? Should we put an internet filter on all computers in a library Should we add a book in a library donated by a racist organization or individual Should we allow homeless persons who smell very bad to use the library
Practically, ICTs are just a portion of the problems combating IE besides other notable challenges such as a lack of IE education. Nevertheless, information professionals are duty-bound to ethically serve their clientele with the provision or dissemination of credible information that satisfies salient ethical requirements such as intellectual property and confidentiality rights (Oladokun and Jorosi, 2019). To deal with the ethical dilemmas highlighted above, the acquisition of IE through formal training must be a requirement for LIS professionals to remain more relevant in today's burgeoning information society. IE would enable LIS professionals to safely and ethically take part in information-related activities (Fallis, 2007). Hence, IE could be considered one of the drivers of transformative change in the modern information landscape.
Study context
Relevant instruments for information ethics in Malawi
The national acts, policies, and bodies in Malawi act as legal, regulatory, and guiding provisions and frontiers for IE. They include, among others, the National ICT Policy, the National Commission for Science and Technology, the Malawi Library Association, the Access to Information Act, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority, and the Malawi Human Rights Commission. These entities are crucial in fostering the responsible and ethical use of information, promoting transparency and accountability, and protecting the right to access of information (Hatchard, 1999; Malawi National ICT for Development (ICT4D) Policy, 2006; Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority, 2022; National Commission for Science and Technology, 2020).
Mzuzu University
Mzuzu University (MZUNI) is a public university in Malawi which was established in 1997 by an act of the Malawi Parliament to provide high-quality education, training, research, and complementary services that meet the technological, social, and economic needs of individuals, communities, and the world. The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes in six faculties including the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Faculty of Tourism, Hospitality, and Management, the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Mzuzu University, 2020).
Department of information science
The academic department of Information Science at MZUNI trains and equips student librarians with the necessary skills to uphold ethical issues in the provision and delivery of information and services. The department's mission aligns with the promotion of high-quality research, use, and dissemination of information to meet the diverse and evolving information and technological needs of Malawi and beyond. The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in LIS. It operates under the core values of professionalism, integrity, reliability, and confidentiality which are key to IE (Mzuzu University, 2020). Thus, librarians as professionals responsible for managing and disseminating information play an important role in promoting and upholding IE (Yusuf, 2021).
Problem statement
Globally, library and information professionals must acquire IE to discharge their duties professionally. The acquisition of the necessary IE skills and knowledge is attained through LIS education. In Africa and Malawi in particular, the concept and practice of IE are not entirely new to librarians. However, the integration of IE into the LIS curriculum in Malawi has not been empirically documented to inform its level of application. Generally, in Africa, IE tends to be incorporated in other modules, but not as a tailor-made course (Oladokun and Jorosi, 2020; Tweve, 2018). Hence, the study aims to explore the extent of IE integration into the LIS curriculum at a public university in Malawi. The study could be significant in providing valuable insights into developing a fully-fledged IE course as part of the LIS programme and filling the paucity of IE literature in Malawi and beyond.
Objectives
To achieve the purpose of the study, the four specific objectives were interrogated:
To establish awareness of information ethics and its benefits To identify courses with information ethics in the LIS curriculum To examine methods of teaching information ethics To determine the challenges of teaching information ethics
Literature review
Definitions of information ethics
IE has grown over the years as a discipline in LIS. It can now be seen as a confluence of the ethical concerns of media, journalism, library and information science, computer ethics (including cyber ethics), management information systems, business, and the internet. Han (2022) defines IE as ethical standards and moral norms that govern human behaviour in a field of ethics that focuses on the relationship among the generation, organization, dissemination, and use of information. The use and misuse of information arising from intentional or unintentional behaviours prompt IE studies to draw a thin line between ethical and unethical practices (Oladokun and Jorosi, 2020). In this case, IE should provide a critical framework for considering moral issues and ethical standards about information privacy and intellectual property (Ndwandwe, 2009). On the other hand, Kaddu (2007) regards IE as the field that investigates the ethical issues arising from the development and application of ICTs. The author argues that IE provides a framework for understanding moral issues related to the life-cycle of information particularly ownership and copyright in a digital divide environment. In summary, these definitions provide a broader spectrum for comprehending the concept of IE.
Development of information ethics in Africa
The concept of IE evolved into a topical issue in 1990 in LIS schools in the USA. However, it was not yet a full discipline of study but was just incorporated into other modules (Ndumbaro, 2018). In Africa, initial IE developments are associated with “The First African Conference” on IE which was held in Tshwane/Pretoria, South Africa, 5–7 February 2007. It was organized by the International Center of Information Ethics and different universities in South Africa. The conference was sponsored by the Republic of South Africa and the Department of Communications. It focused on the theme of “The joy of sharing knowledge” and the patronage of UNESCO (Capurro, 2013). The Conference brought together 80 policymakers and academicians from Africa and around the world to discuss the impact of the use of modern ICTs on the African continent and come up with an African-focused perspective on the challenges faced locally and globally (Ndwandwe et al., 2009).
Thereafter UNESCO facilitated another high-profile workshop on ethics and e-government that took place on 23–26 February 2009. It was co-sponsored by the South African Government, and the Department of Communications and organized by the University of Pretoria, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the University of Pittsburgh, and the International Center for Information Ethics. The workshop attracted 40 participants from different African countries. During the workshop, topical issues covered global perspectives on IE and e-government, ethical reasoning, access and accessibility, intellectual property, freedom of expression and censorship, privacy/ public domain, transparency/secrecy, right/responsibility/accountability, education and training, the role of trust, culture, law, and participation (Capurro, 2013).
The need for information ethics education for LIS professionals
In light of the ethical dilemmas facing information professionals, it is apparent that these professionals need greater exposure to IE. The indoctrination of IE in library and information professionals can be achieved through formal education and training (Dadzie, 2011; Ocholla, 2009). The IE courses in general are touted as beneficial in educational settings (Carbo, 2008). Taking IE to the classroom has a significant impact on ethical practices by LIS professionals. Furthermore, the internalization of IE through education could catalyse the promotion of intellectual property rights. The application and practice of moral professional obligations are attained and made clearer through the formal education of IE. Also, the rise in plagiarism cases by upcoming scholars underscores the need for IE education to sensitize and equip LIS professionals with skills for the proper use of scholarly works (Ocholla, 2009). LIS professionals can only delineate what is wrong from what is right if they possess broad knowledge of specific case studies through IE education. The need for LIS professionals to be skilled and re-skilled in IE is being echoed across developed countries as well (Secker and Morrison, 2018). The study of copyright literacy of librarians in the United Kingdom identified knowledge gaps in IE among LIS professionals. Training requirement was recommended for librarians to acquire broad and practical knowledge of copyright and intellectual rights. Similarly, the professional expertise of managing information ethically empowers LIS professionals to spearhead a wide array of services (Oladokun and Jorosi, 2020). LIS practitioners must have updated knowledge of information ethics to effectively cope with emerging ethical dilemmas (Ndumbaro and Mutula, 2020). Hence, IE should be designed as an education course for information professionals. The course should be enriched with an understanding of ethical theories and practices. The IE education should entrench and signify the general code of conduct for LIS professionals (Fallis, 2007). The code of conduct outlines the responsibilities and consequences of the actions of LIS professionals. These professionals also need to have a deep orientation to ethical, legal, and cultural issues in the infosphere (Yip et al., 2016).
Content of information ethics course
Despite the complexity of IE, there should be specific courses that shape and outline IE discourse in Africa and Malawi in particular. The IE content should be tailored to capacitate LIS professionals to handle ethical conflicts in the information field and become equally competent in other ethical duties and responsibilities. IE courses must foremost create awareness in students to professionally meet the diverse ethical demands such as judgmental decisions and guidance in disseminating information (Information Ethics Special Interest Group [IESIG], 2007). Therefore, the inclusive IE content should encompass significant and specific areas such as “intellectual freedom; intellectual property; open access; preservation; balance in collections; fair use; surveillance; cultural destruction; censorship; cognitive capitalism; imposed technologies; public access to government information; privatization; information rights; academic freedom; workplace speech; systematic racism; international relations; impermanent access to purchased electronic records; general agreements on trade and services and trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights; serving the poor, homeless, and people living on fixed incomes; anonymity, privacy, and confidentiality; human security; national security policies; the global tightening of information and border controls; trans-border data flow; and information poverty” (IESIG, 2007). In the digital age, the ICTs domain including the Internet is a compelling and emerging arena for IE education. Issues of cyberbullying, misinformation, and disinformation must be tackled in the LIS curriculum to demystify what is right and wrong.
Teaching methodology for information ethics
The purpose of IE education is to relay the importance of ethics and its consequences to students. Since IE is partly about moral development, complex issues such as cognition, affect, and socialization must be well-espoused (Ndwandwe et al., 2009). Therefore, the teaching methods that are suitable for enhancing the ethical development of students are those methods that align with the student's cognitive, affective, and social development. Some of the teaching methods that are likely to enable IE development include case studies, team education, group discussions, and role modeling (Dow et al., 2015; Fallis, 2007). Furthermore, case-based learning offers students a wide range of ethical practices and knowledge. It also provides an ability to internalize the basic principles of IE and the application of models for decision-making (Dow et al., 2015). Besides, the use of instructional materials and research-based or problem-based learning could catalyse the delivery of IE (Walther, 2016). Nevertheless, IE is dynamic and caution should be exercised when teaching the subject. IE is a subtle field riddled with dilemmas, thus, its various contexts and backgrounds should be espoused as a teaching approach to ably explain and inculcate its complex and dynamic nature into students (Walther, 2016). In view of this, the use of ethical theories could provide tools for analysing case studies and guiding the practical approach to the ethical use of information in library settings and information centres. The ethical theories including consequence-based, duty-based, rights-based, and virtue-based theories, as exposed by the literature, provide a basis for a suitable methodology for teaching IE to LIS students (Fallis, 2007).
Challenges for teaching information ethics
A myriad of challenges tangle the efforts of entrenching and teaching information ethics in LIS professionals. Maina (2015) explores the drawbacks of teaching IE in LIS schools in public universities in Kenya. The cited problems were a lack of sufficient information resources to support the teaching of IE. Since the concept of IE is relatively new, not much research has been published to shape the LIS curriculum. In addition, issues such as inadequately defined content of IE, lack of training of staff in the field of IE, and unavailable forums for sharing ideas about IE dominated the challenges hampering the success and practice of teaching IE (Maina, 2015). The proliferation of the internet and computers in the modern age has posed or intensified existing challenges of ethical decisions and dilemmas. Computers, scanners, and other digital devices have made it easier to reproduce academic materials without respecting or adhering to the intellectual property rights of authors or publishers. It is also easier to access certain classified information, thereby, infringing privacy and confidential rights (Hoq, 2014). In addition, the advancements in ICTs have triggered the high rate of piracy and access to prohibited materials on the one hand; on the other hand, inadequate ICT infrastructure precludes the opportunity to access basic information. Also, the prevailing shortage of staff to teach students is viewed as a precursor to a standoff of IE education in Africa (Ocholla, 2009). Finally, the absence of relevant policies and laws that govern ethical issues limits the extent to which IE can be understood and delivered through education in Africa (Dadzie, 2011).
Theoretical background
Theories are formulated to predict, explain information ethics, and understand the phenomenon. In other instances, theories challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of the critical bounding assumptions. The theoretical framework is a structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. This study adopted Froehlich's 1997 Typology of IE as a theoretical lens. In his typology of IE, Froehlich (1997) proposed three ethical aspects critical to the study of IE: (i) information production (ii) information collection, and (iii) information access and dissemination.
Should information (content/software) be regarded as intellectual property? How can public access to electronic and digital information be guaranteed? Should the idea of knowledge sharing become predominant in the notion of ownership?
Classification systems such as search engines, thesauri, subject headings, and others are not neutral. This non-neutralist concern promotes not only bias but also specific unethical prejudices that are sometimes not recognized. This has become common with the rise of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) because of the mass production of information in different formats that require different search methods and search engines.
The question of access as a societal issue concerns the problem of creating equal opportunities of access for nations or groups of nations avoiding the gap between the information rich and information poor. The right to communicate, read, and write in the digital environment should be considered a human right. Questions concerning end users may also arise. Ethical conflict may arise regarding, for example, the right to confidentiality and the one to protect one's life. Organizations may ask library and information professionals to break confidentiality. In this case, library and information professionals are supposed to inform their users about the limits of their information sources and methods of accessing them.
Justification for the selection of Froehlich's model of information ethics to this study
Froehlich (1997) focused on the obligations of library and information professionals to themselves, to their organizations, and to the larger environment within which information professionals work such as social responsibility; obligations between professionals and clients and third parties; obligations between professionals and systems; obligations to the profession; and obligations to community or cultural standards.
Froehlich also claimed that within these obligations are sets of values that support and articulate them. He stressed that the interpretation, application, implementation, and prioritization of such principles may vary from culture to culture and from one nation to another.
Froehlich (1997), for instance, realized the need for an ethical framework for the activities of librarians and information professionals as well as the need to delineate shared values for library and information professionals worldwide, particularly with the onset of globalization, the growth of national and international electronic networks, and the growing number of professionals.
This framework is therefore applied to this study in the sense that it provides parameters for analyzing a real-life practice where library and information professionals interact with each other, including the users to apply technology and intellectual content. In summary, Froehlich's model of Information Ethics was selected for this study to explore the extent to which the Department of Library and Information Science at MZUNI has integrated IE into its LIS curriculum.
Methodology
Study approach
This study adopted a constructivist approach and used an interpretative paradigm (Collis and Hussey, 2014). In this case, the qualitative method was employed to establish an in-depth understanding of the phenomena under investigation. Data for this study were collected using document analysis and semi-structured interviews. This study reviewed the 2017/2018 Curriculum Handbooks for both undergraduate and postgraduate LIS students in the LIS department at the University. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data because they enabled the opportunity for immediate response and the opportunity to ask immediate follow-up questions (Creswell, 2014). The target population consisted of lecturers and students in the LIS department. The participants were chosen because of their involvement in teaching and learning of LIS courses at the University.
Sampling strategy and size
This study used the purposive technique as an example of non-probability sampling (Sekaran and Bougie, 2016). Purposive sampling was used to select participants who could offer the information and adhere to the selection criteria of the study. A qualitative study with less than 20 participants assists the researcher in developing and keeping a close relationship, improving the open exchange of information (Crouch and McKenzie, 2006). This could also assist with mitigating the bias and validity flaws in qualitative studies (Galvin, 2015). This study followed the recommendations of Crouch and McKenzie (2006) and Galvin (2015). Table 1 provides a profile of 12 LIS students and 2 lecturers who took part in the study.
Profile of research participants.
Source: Authors’ own work.
Confidentiality, ethics, and approval
To ensure that participants’ privacy and confidentiality are protected, all recordings and transcripts were stored securely. Pseudonyms were used to protect their identities. Research participants were informed that their involvement in the study was voluntary (Creswell, 2014). Permission to conduct the study was obtained from MZUNI through the University Registrar's Office.
Data collection and analysis
Data was collected between March and April 2022. Each interview was transcribed into a Microsoft Word document to simplify the process of analyzing the data to identify themes. Both content and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data collected from this study. These techniques are used for recognising and analysing patterns of significance and meaning in a data set (Joffe, 2011). Thematic analysis was used due to its ability to condense important attributes of large amounts of data and to recognize and analyse patterns of significance and meaning in a data set (Thomas, 2020). This analysis was also used because of its ability to describe the themes and produce a report and other additional advantages (Braun and Clarke, 2006).
Results and discussion
Awareness of information ethics and its benefits
The first objective of the study was to establish if the students and lecturers were aware of IE and its benefits. The majority of participants conceptualized IE in different contexts. For instance, to an undergraduate LIS student, IE was understood as information privacy and protection, while other participants defined IE as a concept dealing with human rights of information, research, ethical consideration, copyrights, and avoiding fake information. “It is when librarians can act responsibly by keeping library users’ information private and confidential” [Resp. 9]. ‘I think it is when librarians and users are not plagiarizing intellectual content. For instance, they have to acknowledge sources they have cited in the document” [Resp. 3]. ‘It is about acting professionally by providing information to library users without bias and censorship” [Resp. 5].
From the definitions, it is clear that while none of the participants were able to capture the comprehensive definition of IE, their responses showed basic awareness of IE reflecting laypeople's definitions of the concept. The evidence was that the majority of the participants defined IE according to their understanding, indicating some degree of understanding at a conceptual level. Similarly, with a slight level of IE integration in other modules, university students exhibit some significant knowledge about IE (Paapa and Boakye, 2017).
Notwithstanding the diverse range of IE benefits, the current study established that IE enlightened LIS students and lecturers to achieve limited abuse of information provision. Some LIS students acknowledged that IE courses taught them to respect privacy. The participants also expressed mistrust in information overload on the internet, indicating that not all information on the internet is credible. In this regard, LIS professionals need to safeguard the integrity of their profession by portraying desirable behavior and embracing appropriate change (Ngulube, 2000). Similarly, the promotion of general ethics in the workplace gives employees a sense of worth, integrity, and trust.
The importance of teaching/integrating information ethics courses
Smith (2002) posits that IE education is the urgency of issues in global information justice. There are threats to information access, accuracy, privacy, and matters relating to the digital divide and inequalities. The study enquired the participants about their opinions on the need to teach and learn IE. It found that the majority of participants felt that IE is critical to carrying out their professional mandate. Students and lecturers believed that IE would help them apply correct moral and professional obligations in the production, collection, access, and dissemination, storage of information in various formats. In addition, IE inculcates a culture of responsibility for library and information professionals which resonates well with the principles of the information profession (Ocholla, 2009). The findings are presented in Table 2.
Importance of teaching information ethics in Library and Information Science.
Source: Authors’ own work.
These findings relate to the IE literature that demonstrates the importance of teaching or integrating IE into the LIS curriculum. For instance, IE education allows library and information professionals to learn, understand the responsibilities and consequences of their actions, and learn to use their power ethically and responsibly (IESIG, 2007). Ngulube (2000) postulates that without IE there could be no accountability, efficiency, and transparency, a situation that could create loopholes for academic dishonesty and subsequent loss of confidence in LIS graduates.
Likewise, Carbo and Almagno (2001) observed that individuals seeking to become professional librarians, records managers or archivists must be educated about ethical issues of information. Library and information professionals need to be aware of their duties and the responsibilities they have toward society and ethically discharge them.
In summary, it is evident that IE is a significant aspect of the LIS curriculum because of the intellectual property issues, threats to information access, accuracy, privacy; and ethical dilemmas facing library and information professionals (Ndwandwe, 2009).
Courses with information ethics in LIS curriculum
When taking into account the multidisciplinary nature of IE, it was essential to establish from the 2017/2019 LIS Curriculum Handbook which courses contained some form of IE. The Handbook contained 20 courses for a 2-year Diploma in LIS, 42 courses for a 4-year Bachelor's degree in LIS, and 10 courses for a 2-year Master's degree in LIS. To achieve this, the study examined the number of courses with IE and the content/scope of IE. The courses in the Handbook were decided to contain IE components based on a range of IE issues including information accessibility, intellectual property, freedom of expression, censorship, privacy, transparency, secrecy, rights, responsibility, research, accountability, trust, culture, and law, among others.
Number of courses with information ethics
The researchers analysed the LIS Curriculum Handbook where 72 courses were found. From the document, 51 (71%) courses contained some form of IE, while 21(29%) courses did not contain topics related to IE. This implied that the LIS curriculum contained IE from Diploma, Bachelor's degree, and Master's degree levels. The summary of the results is presented in Figure 1.

Number of courses with information ethics (Authors’ own work).
Scope/content of information ethics
The study also examined the content/scope of IE available in the LIS curriculum. This was measured based on three proposed ethical aspects critical to the content and scope of EI: (i) information production (ii) information collection and (iii) information access and dissemination (Froehlich, 1997).
From Figure 2, it was evident that 30 LIS courses (58.8%) contained IE related to information collection, 13 LIS courses (25.5%) contained IE related to information access and dissemination, while only 8 LIS courses (15.7%) had IE aspects related to information production.

Content/aspect of information ethics (Authors’ own work).
BLIS 3502: Information Storage and retrieval; BLIS 3502: Information Storage and retrieval; BLIS2302: Collection Development; MLIS 6102: Information Behaviour; BLIS 2401: Organisation of Knowledge II, Classification; and BLIS 1101: Foundation of Library and Information Science. This, therefore, implied that the LIS curriculum inculcated IE which advanced intellectual freedom among LIS professionals.
Capurro (2008) observes that organizations may ask LIS professionals to break the right to information, privacy, and confidentiality of users. He further warns that information professionals are supposed to inform their users about the limits of their sources and methods to prevent misinformation (or information malpractice) that can cause both personal and economic damage to the users. It was, therefore, progressive that the LIS curriculum incorporated these ethical issues that are central to information professionals. This is because they are the ones involved with information production, dissemination, storage, processing, and use.
Based on the foregoing the study found that different aspects of IE were dispersed across the levels of the Curriculum (Diploma, Degree, and Master). It was found that there was no IE module as a standalone course. The topics were spread across the LIS programmes of different levels (or years) of study. The findings are similar to a study by Ndumbaro and Mutula (2020) undertaken in university libraries in Tanzania which found that the field of information ethics was not widely understood and practised due to their partial infusion in the LIS education. Thus, more awareness and advocacy campaigns for IE must be conducted. Although there is no consensus on the scope of IE, the IE scholars propose that content should cover areas such as open access; intellectual freedom; intellectual property; preservation, balance in the collection, fair use; censorship, cultural destruction, cognitive capitalism, social and political issues in the information society; imposed technologies; and public access to government information (IESIG, 2007; Ocholla, 2009).
Methods of teaching information ethics
Carbo (2008) contends that deciding on the best methods to teach IE is a daunting task. The other specific objective of the study was to establish the methods used to teach IE topics covered in various courses contained in the Curriculum. The study discovered that the majority of IE units were delivered through a face-to-face medium. Teaching methods were mainly lectures and tutorials. The assessment methods comprised one group assignment (written and presentation), two individual assignments, and one test, while assessment weighting was 50% Continuous Assessment and 50% End of Semester Examinations. “We usually deliver our courses through face to face, and assignments and class tests are the methods we use to assess the students” [Resp 13].
Of note was the observation that the Curriculum did not use oral assessment methods and group discussions. However, what was encouraging was that the LIS curriculum used a combination of methods to teach IE units. The mode of teaching IE using various methods is instrumental in stimulating learning experiences.
The findings slightly differed from a study by Ndwandwe (2009) who reported that at the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa, and the University of Zululand in South Africa, case studies, group discussions, and lectures were used to teach IE. The study further revealed that the majority of assessment methods were assignments, simulations, semester examinations, and class tests. Assessment weighting ranged from 10% to 80%.
The IE literature advances that IE education shapes moral development, hence the teaching methods suitable for ethical development of students should be biased towards students’ cognitive, affective, and social development (Yip et al., 2016). Therefore, it is recommended that case studies, team education group discussions, and role modeling are some of the appropriate methods for teaching IE. However, Fallis (2007) contends that while these methods are suitable for teaching IE, the ultimate responsibility for their effectiveness depends on the lecturer. Thus, it is clear that teaching IE requires a diverse range of teaching methods which was not the case with the LIS curriculum at MZUNI.
Challenges of teaching information ethics
The study finally probed the challenges the participants encountered in the course of teaching and learning IE. The responses varied between students and lecturers. Students expressed that IE was not given priority since there were no dedicated modules to teach the subject from Diploma, Degree, and postgraduate levels. “We just learn IE units in LIS courses such as Research Methods, Collection development, Intellectual property rights, Information and human rights, Information Literacy, and Information Behaviour, and I think this is a problem”[Resp.9]. Students suggested the need for the LIS department to advocate for a standalone IE module that should be taught across the LIS programmes. “The lack of specialized staff for IE education is a challenge. The challenge can be alleviated if the University is promoted to recruit teaching staff trained in IE” [Resp.13].
In addition to this setback, lecturers felt that IE is dominated by Western literature. Considering the rapid development in the digital economy (Qureshi and Woo, 2022), there is a need to contextualize the IE literature that reflects Africa in general including the Malawian perspective. Due to cultural pluralism in Malawi, the IE module needs to integrate different perspectives.
Conclusion
This study explored the extent of IE integration into the LIS curriculum in Malawi with a special reference to the LIS department at MZUNI. The findings revealed that IE was not offered as a standalone module. Instead, the IE content was covered in some course modules across the LIS programmes. This was surprisingly noteworthy considering the significant nature of IE for the LIS professionals. The study, therefore, established that, to a large extent, IE was not integrated into the LIS curriculum at the University.
Furthermore, although a consensus was not reached on what constitutes IE, the findings established that human rights, privacy, confidentiality, research ethics, copyrights, intellectual freedom, information access, and availability were the units covered in the LIS curriculum. A combination of lectures and tutorials was used to teach IE units. Also, the findings demonstrated that the integration of IE into the LIS curriculum is essential for equipping students with general knowledge of ethics and inculcating a culture of responsibility and integrity among LIS students in the digital society.
Therefore, the findings have theoretical and practical implications for researchers, policymakers, and LIS practitioners. Theoretically, employing Froehlich's typology of IE (Froehlich, 1997) as a theoretical lens enhanced the degree of theorising IE in the context of a developing country such as Malawi. In addition, the study has narrowed the lacuna of IE knowledge that existed in Malawi, thereby contributing to IE literature. Practically, the findings also form an empirical foundation where researchers and practitioners from the LIS domain may benchmark when conducting similar IE studies. Besides, the study offers the following policy recommendations:
The IE should be offered across disciplines as a standalone module. Academic lecturers should be trained in IE to competently deliver the IE module. The IE modules should have content aligned to the local context and cultural diversity of Malawi in particular, and African countries in general. There is a need to conduct more awareness and advocacy for IE programmes to students and lecturers at MZUNI. There is a need to develop context-IE models relevant to delivering IE programmes in higher education institutions in Malawi.
Despite the highlighted contributions, the study has some limitations that warrant areas of future work. This study focused only on the LIS department. Thus, a similar study should be replicated in other academic departments at the University so that the findings may yield more insights into the study phenomenon. Besides, this study targeted only MZUNI as one of the public universities in Malawi. It should, however, be acknowledged that Malawi has more than five public universities, and over 12 private universities (National Council of Higher Education, 2024). As such, similar studies should be replicated in the country targeting both public and private universities, this will lead to more comprehensive findings that may warrant generalisability.
Footnotes
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful for the ananymous reviewers’ feedback which has enriched the paper. The authors would also like to acknowledge the works of Dr S. C. Ndwandwe which were key to informing the paper.
Declaration of conflicting interests
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Funding
The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
