Do engineering master’s students know what they don’t know?

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 36-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula C Johnson ◽  
Jennifer E. Simonsen
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
State University ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Mexico State University ◽  
Scholarly Article ◽  
Materials Used

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to determine whether engineering master’s students at a medium-sized university use library-provided abstracting and indexing (A&I) services (e.g. Compendex), and if they do, to what extent, in what manner and for what purposes. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methodology approach was used to explore electronic information-seeking patterns of engineering master’s students at New Mexico State University. Usage statistics, a focus group and a Web-based survey were used, the latter composed of 17 questions using a critical incident approach and direct questions to probe: reasons for and method of search, types of materials used (with relative frequencies), means of obtaining materials and evaluations of the usefulness of five library-provided A&I services. Findings – Only 15 per cent of respondents used a subscription A&I service such as Compendex when searching specific terms. The majority of sources used were located through known term searches, and master’s learned of these information resources through article citations or conversations with colleagues. Half the respondents reported using Google Scholar to find the last scholarly article they had read. Engineering master’s students – similar to practicing engineers – evaluate the costs associated with obtaining information, and may “satisfice”. Even so, students expressed interest in increasing their knowledge of skills and strategies to find worthwhile electronic information. Originality/value – This study sheds light on engineering master’s students’ use of A&I services, and examines their perceptions of five of these services commonly provided by academic libraries.

scholarly journals Enhancing classroom instruction with online news

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 725-744
Author(s):  
Michael D. Ekstrand ◽  
Katherine Landau Wright ◽  
Maria Soledad Pera
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Online News ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Informational Texts ◽  
Information Need ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Search Tool ◽  
K 12 ◽  
Two Stages

PurposeThis paper investigates how school teachers look for informational texts for their classrooms. Access to current, varied and authentic informational texts improves learning outcomes for K-12 students, but many teachers lack resources to expand and update readings. The Web offers freely available resources, but finding suitable ones is time-consuming. This research lays the groundwork for building tools to ease that burden.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports qualitative findings from a study in two stages: (1) a set of semistructured interviews, based on the critical incident technique, eliciting teachers' information-seeking practices and challenges; and (2) observations of teachers using a prototype teaching-oriented news search tool under a think-aloud protocol.FindingsTeachers articulated different objectives and ways of using readings in their classrooms, goals and self-reported practices varied by experience level. Teachers struggled to formulate queries that are likely to return readings on specific course topics, instead searching directly for abstract topics. Experience differences did not translate into observable differences in search skill or success in the lab study.Originality/valueThere is limited work on teachers' information-seeking practices, particularly on how teachers look for texts for classroom use. This paper describes how teachers look for information in this context, setting the stage for future development and research on how to support this use case. Understanding and supporting teachers looking for information is a rich area for future research, due to the complexity of the information need and the fact that teachers are not looking for information for themselves.

Web‐based information retrieval trends of researchers

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anwarul Islam ◽  
K.C. Panda
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Role Model ◽  
Web Searching ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Printed Materials ◽  
The Third World

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to find out the trends of web‐based information seekers at Sambalpur University, India since the internet is more helpful than the library in the present electronic era.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on the case study method. A structured questionnaire was distributed among the relevant researchers at Sambalpur University in order to ascertain their web searching habits.FindingsThe application of is ever increasing – to the extent that people believe that electronic material will eventually replace the traditional library and users need not go there to find and collect the information they need. The study revealed, however, that in one Indian university, traditional library and printed materials are still more effective to researchers than web‐based information and resources.Originality/valueThis is an original case study on web‐based information retrieval trends of university researchers. This paper will help web researchers to obtain a clear‐cut picture of the information seeking and retrieval trends of the researchers of an Indian university which will serve as a role model for the universities of the Third World.

INFORMATION BEHAVIOUR: GRADUATES’ PATTERN IN SEEKING INFORMATION

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maslinda Mohd Nadzir ◽  
Juhana Salim
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour

Past researches on students’ information seeking behaviour concluded that students have difficulty in searching the literature and unable to find the required information during the searching processes. The problem must be addressed as students need exposure on the knowledge of information searching and retrieval. This study explores graduate students’ information seeking behaviour in seeking research-based information with the intention of accomplishing their research tasks. The data was collected through survey method by using web-based questionnaire. A total of 193 respondents have responded to the survey questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 12.0. The findings of this study conclude that most of the graduate students prefer to use electronic information sources when seeking for research-based information. This can be used as guideline to improve information services and facilitate graduate students to construct better strategies during information seeking activities in effectively finding the relevant research-based information.

Exploring situated ambiguity in students’ entrepreneurial learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Kubberød ◽  
Inger Beate Pettersen
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Entrepreneurial Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phenomenological Perspective ◽  
Group Interviews

Purpose Building on entrepreneurial learning research, the purpose of this paper is to argue that the students participating in foreign entrepreneurial education programmes can have realistic entrepreneurial learning experiences. This research addresses two specific questions: how situated ambiguity induced by a foreign culture may contribute to contextual entrepreneurial learning in education, and whether ambiguity induced by cross-cultural situated experience can stimulate critical reflection and important learning outcomes in entrepreneurship and increase entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE). Design/methodology/approach The authors adopted a phenomenological perspective in the research, and used focus group interviews and the critical incident technique to investigate Norwegian master’s students’ experiences of entrepreneurial learning in a long-term practice in an American startup. Findings The empirical findings reveal that the students perceived the foreign cultural learning setting as imbued with ambiguity and uncertainty. However, as the students enhanced their understanding of the culture and entrepreneurial milieu through observations and co-participating, they managed to adapt and develop new strategies and methods to cope with the new environment. Eventually, the students became more entrepreneurial and developed their ESE. Practical implications The research demonstrates how educators can design educational programmes that approach real entrepreneurial learning contexts. Nevertheless, the research also displays several ethical dilemmas that educators need to address. Originality/value The study delineates a new concept for educational designs called situated ambiguity, which reinforces the essence of situated entrepreneurial learning with cross-cultural learning. This concept offers a promising avenue for educators to approach real entrepreneurial learning in both theory and practice.

Applicability of solitary model of information behavior in students’ collaborative learning assignments

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 190-207
Author(s):  
Faraja Ndumbaro ◽  
Stephen Mutula
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Patterns ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis paper aims to present results of a study which examined students’ collaborative information behavior (CIB) in comparison with behavioral patterns illustrated in Wilson’s (1996) model of information behavior.Design/methodology/approachA total of six groups of undergraduate students; four from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and two from Ardhi University (ARU) were purposively selected. Data were collected using semi participant observation, critical incident interviews and focus group discussion methods.FindingsResults indicate that students’ CIB is mainly shaped by collaborative learning environment, learning tasks objectives and requirements. Despite its wider applicability in different domains and contexts, Wilson’s (1996) model is partially appropriate in modeling students’ group-based learning information behavioral activities. Person(s) in context and active and passive information seeking are aspects of the model which are observed to be relevant in students’ CIB.Practical implicationsThe study has implications on teaching and learning practices in higher learning institutions.Originality/valueThe study provides new insights on how students exhibit different information behavioral patterns during collaborative learning. The study fills a gap on how solitary models of information behavior can be used to model students’ information behavior in team-based learning.

scholarly journals Everyday life information seeking behaviour in relation to the environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 468-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Mawby ◽  
Allen Foster ◽  
David Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Value ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
New Type ◽  
Everyday Life Information Seeking

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe one of the preliminary results from interviews conducted as part of a PhD study into examining the role of peer and family influences on information-seeking behaviour. Design/methodology/approach – The principal method of data collection was 38 semi-structured critical incident interviews, based on an interview guide and a short questionnaire to collect factual data. Some social network analysis of interviewees’ information sources is considered. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis were used to code the interview transcripts. A naturalistic approach to everyday information seeking is taken. Findings – One of the preliminary findings of this research is that the notion of a new type of information has emerged – disposable information. A new type of information-seeking behaviour is also suggested here for disposable information – disposable information seeking. Disposable information is task specific and likely to only be required by an individual on a one-off basis, causing different everyday life information seeking (ELIS) patterns to emerge. Ultimately, people are only prepared to expend effort to get quality information if they perceive a value or further, continued use of that information. Research limitations/implications – Because of the research location and participant population, the results may lack transferability. Further research into this area is advised. Practical implications – The paper has implications about how people may search for and use information in certain situations where information is perceived as relevant to a particular task but unlikely to be needed in the future. Originality/value – This paper introduces the new concept of disposable information and disposable information-seeking behaviour.

Web-based health information seeking

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 933-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika Rantala ◽  
Heidi Enwald ◽  
Sandy Zinn
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Information ◽  
South African ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
African Students ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internet Penetration

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine differences of health information seeking among Finnish and South African university students. The focus is on weight management and on how students utilise various internet sources. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected with a web-based, structured survey by using convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s χ2 test were utilised in the analysis. Findings Overall, health information was more often encountered than sought on purpose. Passive information seeking was more common for South African students as almost a third of them report encountering it several times a week. As an information source, South African students opted for social networking sites more frequently than search engines, the latter being the first choice for Finnish students. Discussion boards were more popular among South African students, and, on the other hand, web-based health calculators among Finns. Research limitations/implications This is a small-scale comparative study. The results are not to be generalised, but may provide clues about the information seeking differences between Finland and South Africa. Practical implications Media literacy, digital literacy and health information literacy of young adults should be emphasised so that they would be able to evaluate information for reliability and accuracy in order to help them make appropriate decisions when confronted by health information online. Social implications The implications of the study are that health providers and professionals should be more prominent on social media sites, which are popular ways for young people to discover information. Originality/value Comparative studies are rare. This comparison is between Finland, where internet penetration is 94 per cent, and South Africa, where internet penetration is 54 per cent.

Dissertations and discussions: engineering graduate student research resource use at New Mexico State University

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula C. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Graduate Student ◽  
Reference Lists ◽  
State University ◽  
Web Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Faculty Advisors ◽  
New Mexico State University ◽  
College Of Engineering

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to determine whether the accelerated growth of web content during the years 1989-2011 had an effect on New Mexico State University engineering PhD students' use of the library's collections. The research also solicited direct input from PhD advisors regarding their expectations for and perceptions of present day PhD reference lists. If the collections were being used with less frequency, there would be reason to increase outreach to the engineering graduate student population, as well as to review current engineering collection development policies. Design/methodology/approach – Reference lists from College of Engineering PhD dissertations produced 1989-1991 (pre-web), 1999-2001 (web-emergent), and 2009-2011 (post-web) time periods were analyzed using descriptive statistics. PhD faculty advisors from the College of Engineering were interviewed about their expectations for, and perceptions of, research resources used in PhD dissertations. Findings – The number of resources cited, percentages of type of resource (e.g. book, journal, patent, etc.) and age of citation did not vary substantially over time, although the percentage of journal articles cited to total number of citations per dissertation increased post-web. Some websites were cited in the post-web period, but not in significant numbers. Engineering faculty expressed concerns that some PhD students were not critically evaluating and fully synthesizing the information they were citing in the literature review sections of their dissertations. Originality/value – The results of the citation study provided PhD faculty advisors with the positive news that there appears to be no degradation in the quality of references post-web. However, the expressed faculty interest in seeing some dissertators undertake a more robust analysis of the literature created an outreach opportunity for the engineering librarian: a graduate student workshop in how to use the library collections to perform a thorough survey of the relevant research in order to write an effective literature review.

scholarly journals Profiling information behaviour of nursing students: part 2: derivation of profiles

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Stokes ◽  
Christine Urquhart
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Search Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Behaviour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop information behaviour profiles for nursing students, to help inform information literacy programmes. Design/methodology/approach – The methods include further analysis of quantitative findings (previously reported in part 1), together with qualitative research data collection and analysis. Critical incident type interviews with 11 students were transcribed and analysed using an interpretative categorisation method that used dendrograms for data display and analysis. From the regression analysis of the quantitative data, the micro-processes for information seeking were linked to learning styles, and then to personality traits to generate information seeking profiles. Integration of the qualitative findings led to development of a task-based information search model. Findings – The start list of seven categories for qualitative analysis (derived from a literature review) was refined (one category added, one removed, with some relabelling). The quantitative data analysis revealed seven profiles (deep adventurer, deep identifier, deep investigator, strategic all-rounder, strategic collector, surface co-ordinator, surface skimmer, each linked to a particular learning style, personality trait, and preferred information seeking micro-processes). Research limitations/implications – The data were collected at only one university and the profiles and the model need to be validated with data from other groups of nursing students. The findings on micro-processes consolidate and extend previous research. Practical implications – The profiles should inform information literacy programmes as they show that information search profiles may be more varied than assumed. The information search model extends previous task-based information search models. Originality/value – The information search profiles have not been identified previously.

scholarly journals The Development of Web-Based Learning Media on Western Bridal Make-Up Subject

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 264
Author(s):  
Siti Hajar Thaitami ◽  
Hasan Maksum
Keyword(s):  
Research Process ◽  
Learning Material ◽  
State University ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Web Based ◽  
A Value ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
The Media ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Compulsory Subject

Internet-based educational facilities can be used as a means of delivering learning that relies on practical aspects and is easily accessible anywhere and anytime. In addition, this learning media enables distance learning or the delivery of information between lecturers and students. Western Bridal Make Up is a compulsory subject in an education program. This study aims to a) develop web-based learning media products on database materials for the Department of Makeup and Beauty Education at Universitas Negeri Padang through the process of developing media, b) obtain information about the feasibility of web-based learning media products on database materials used as support in database learning in the Department of Makeup and Beauty Education, Universitas Negeri Padang.This research uses alpha testing method (alpha testing). The research subjects in alpha testing were 2 media experts and 2 material experts, while the research subjects in beta testing were 20 students majoring in Makeup and Beauty Education, Padang State University. Data obtained by using test instruments to test the effectiveness and non-test instruments to test the validity and practicality in the research process. Based on the results of the developed learning media produces valid media in terms of media (design) with a value of 0.918 and valid from the material side with a value of 0.875 by media experts and material experts and from the practical side of the media developed has a practical level of practicality with a percentage of 95%, from the beta test obtained 100% very feasible. The implications of the application of this media can increase the use of instructional media as teaching material that is independent, mobile, and interactive by lecturers, thus helping lecturers in delivering learning material.

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