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.

scholarly journals Information-seeking behavior of social sciences scholars

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluyomi Oluleke FOLORUNSO
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Economic Research ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Electronic Information Resources ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Information-seeking behavior is one of the most important areas of user studies and a concept affected by many factors. Previous researches in these areas indicate that the information-seeking practices of scholars are dependent on their field of research, and vary from one discipline to another. This paper examines the information-seeking behavior of scholars in the social sciences, based on the premise that information-seeking behavior follows universally applicable stages and patterns worldwide. The study was conducted at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER). Fifty eight active social sciences scholars were interviewed via a questionnaire about their information sources for research and consultancy purposes, their preference for electronic or printed formats, their use of electronic or Internet resources, and how they meet or satisfy their information needs, among others. Results show that journals and books were the most preferred information sources, and a large majority of scholars “regularly” used electronic information resources for their research and consultancy needs. The findings of the study also demonstrate diverse usage patterns for electronic information resources among users of different academic ranks and age range. Based on the research findings, the author provides suggestions on how current information services and products can be improved to better serve the users. The author also makes recommendations for improving library services and technologies to better meet the information needs of social sciences scholars in general.

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 Parents’ health information seeking behaviour – does the child’s health status play a role?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Baumann ◽  
Rebecca Jaks ◽  
Dominik Robin ◽  
Sibylle Juvalta ◽  
Julia Dratva
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Print Media ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Search For Information

Abstract BackgroundDigital media are increasingly abundant and being used to seek health information. To date, very little is known about parental seeking behaviour for child health information outside of English-speaking and Nordic countries. Our study “Digital parental counsellors” examines how parents search for health information in digital media, print media and among personal contacts, distinguishing between the search for information about general child health and development and child’s acute illness, and comparing information seeking behaviour by disability status of the child.MethodsA questionnaire was sent to 2573 parents (response rate: 30%) to a population-based sample of parents with children aged 0–2 years (N = 769). We developed a frequency score of use of different information sources and conducted bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses to describe parental search behaviour and the association with child’s disability status.ResultsThe sample consists of 88% mothers (mean age: 35.7 years SD 4.33). Children’s mean age is 16 months (SD 7.1), 49% of the children are female and 6% have a disability. Parents use digital media significantly more frequently to search for information about general health and development questions than about an acute child’s illness (p < 0.001). In case of acute child’s illness, parents refer to their paediatrician, family members and other personal contacts significantly more frequently than other information sources (p < 0.001). The use of digital media and personal contacts does not significantly vary between parents with and without a disabled child, whereas the use of print media does (p < 0.02). Moreover, irrespective of disability, 45% of parents resort to the Internet prior to a paediatric visit and 27% after a visit when a visit did not answer all questions.ConclusionsDespite the high prevalence of digital media, personal contacts are still the most frequent health information resource for parents with young children. Parents combine all information resources (online, print, personal network) to improve their understanding or check the validity of information received regarding their child’s health. It is thus of utmost importance, that the increasingly accessed digital information parents search for is correct, understandable and addresses parent’s concerns.Trial registration:BASEC Req-2017-00817 (30 October 2017)

Information Seeking Behaviour of Post Graduate Students of Government Science College, Bangalore: A Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
K. V. Jayamma ◽  
G. T. Mahesh
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Post Graduate ◽  
Information Usage ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Science College ◽  
College Library

This Study was designed to examine information seeking behaviour of PG Students at Government Science College Library, Bangalore. The study intended with an aim to explore the information usage among PG students. Closed ended questionnaire was used to collect the data from respondents. A total of 200 samples out of 319 students. Among the200 hundred questionnaires distributed, 127 were completely answered and returned. The findings of this study revealed the information needs of PG students in Government Science College. The majority of students who are visiting library are females; also, the majority of the PG students are visiting library once in a week. The main purpose of the visit to the library is for accessing exam related information for their study.

Factors affecting the information-seeking behaviour of postgraduate students at the University of South Africa Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Addisalem Gebrekidan Desta ◽  
Madely du Preez ◽  
Patrick Ngulube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Electronic Information ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
The University

The purpose of this study was to investigate some of the factors affecting the information-seeking behaviour of postgraduate students registered at the University of South Africa (Unisa) as represented by its Ethiopia Regional Learning Centre, with particular emphasis on their use of electronic information resources. A qualitative case study approach was adopted. In semi-structured interviews, eight conveniently selected postgraduate students shared their information-seeking experiences. The data was analysed thematically. The findings identified contextual and personal factors which gave rise to the respondents’ information needs and in turn prompted information activities such as information seeking. Of these, a lack of ICT infrastructure, frequent interruptions in electricity supply, old computers and the location of the Akaki Branch Library proved to be the main factors affecting postgraduate students’ electronic information-seeking behaviour. The findings showed the effect that inadequate facilities have on postgraduate students’ information behaviour.

scholarly journals Socio-Psychological Factors as Determinants to Information-Seeking Behavior of LIS Undergraduates in Kwara State

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-62
Author(s):  
Kabir Alabi Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Search For Information ◽  
Use Of Internet ◽  
Descriptive Survey

This study examines socio-psychological factors as determinants to information-seeking behaviour of LIS undergraduates in Kwara state. A descriptive survey method was adopted. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The total population for the study is 2392. From which the sample size of 333 was selected using Raosoft size calculator. The study revealed that most of LIS undergraduate have fear during information searching process. The study also revealed that LIS undergraduates are of opinions that having access to the internet improves their ability to search for information. It was also found out that most of LIS undergraduates were helped with internet to have access to various sources of information simultaneously. In conclusion, there is a significant relationship between computer/internet and information-seeking behaviour of LIS undergraduates in Kwara state. This research recommends that LIS undergraduate should improve confidence in the use of internet/computer to seek information with ease and LIS undergraduate should develop a mechanism for self-confidence while seeking for information

Information seeking behaviour of Malaysian town planners

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 330-364
Author(s):  
Intan Afida ◽  
Shaharudin Idrus ◽  
Halimaton Saadiah Hashim
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Town Planning ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flood Risks ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Flood Risk Reduction ◽  
Site Planning

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the information-seeking behaviour of Malaysian Town Planners (MTPs) in fulfilling their specific work task, which is to prepare the Development Proposal Report (DPR) that incorporates flood risk reduction aspects for planning permission purposes. The researcher investigated MTPs’ involvement in the DPR preparation, types of information sought from five town planning reference instruments, the uses of five town planning reference instruments and additional information sources and the problem faced when seeking for and using of the information from five town planning reference instruments for the DPR preparation. Design/methodology/approach This study was based on quantitative research using the postal survey method. Data were collected from 60 MTPs using questionnaires, with a response rate of 81.7 per cent. Findings The study showed that limited professional knowledge is the main factor influencing information-seeking behaviour of MTPs in the DPR preparation. The study revealed that MTPs seek information which are mainly related to the incorporation of flood risk reduction aspects in site planning, detailed information on existing conditions for all planning sectors especially for planning sectors that influence flood risks, detailed information on how development controls that influence the risks of flooding should be considered and detailed information on site planning aspects that influence flood risks from five town planning reference instruments. The MTPs gave various answers for the seven factors influencing their choice of use for each town planning reference instruments. Familiarity and prior success and trustworthiness factors got the most absolutely very important answers; followed by the quality factor with the most important answers; the timeliness factor with the most moderately important answers; accessibility factor with the most somewhat important answers; the cost factor with the most not so important answers; and the packaging factor with the most not important at all answers. The MTPs used additional sources such as the local planning authority, other agencies, colleagues, internet, clients, books, journals, seminar or conference papers and magazines to get useful information for the DPR preparation besides the five town planning reference instruments. The study found that the top three problems encountered by the MTPs during their information seeking for and using of information were the related information on incorporation of flood risk reduction aspects in site planning in all five town planning reference instruments were not sufficient, not in detail and not complete. Research limitations/implications Only 60 MTPs, whose DPRs for lowland development areas with planning permission from the Selayang Municipal Council, Selangor, Malaysia, from the year 2012 to 2014 were chosen as samples in this study. Besides that, only site planning aspects in five town planning reference instruments were taken into account in this study. Practical implications This paper provides useful understanding of the information-seeking behaviour of MTPs in fulfilling one of their professional tasks, which is preparing the DPR that incorporates flood risk reduction aspects for planning permission purposes. Originality value Being the first study on information-seeking behaviour of MTPs, it contributes to the very limited research literature on the topic for this profession in the world generally and Malaysia specifically.

scholarly journals Chemotherapy and information-seeking behaviour: characteristics of patients using mass-media information sources

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 993-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda D. Muusses ◽  
Julia C.M. van Weert ◽  
Sandra van Dulmen ◽  
Jesse Jansen
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document