Information Seeking Behaviour of Undergraduate Students in Digital Environment: A Case Study of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies SSCBS), University of Delhi

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the information-seeking behaviour of traditional leaders in the Shai Osudoku District of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The case study methodology was used. An interview schedule was designed to elicit information from 12 chiefs from the Shai Traditional Council. Findings – The findings of the study showed that traditional leaders sought information on issues that bordered on their community as well as information for their personal use. It also showed that they usually used informal sources such as the traditional council and their subjects but also exhibited similar information-seeking behaviour to that of professionals. They also used information dissemination or transfer methods that were in line with the oral culture of their traditional society. They had challenges in the use of information technology due to their low educational level, as well as challenges in having access to formal sources due to unavailability. Practical implications – The study brought to light the challenges traditional leaders encountered in executing their roles. It was therefore recommended that government agencies collaborate with them to enhance their work. Originality/value – Several studies have been conducted on information-seeking behaviour of different categories of people within different contexts. However, few studies have been conducted on the information-seeking behaviour of traditional leaders. This study thus sought to serve as a foundation research on the information-seeking behaviour of traditional leaders, with Shai Osudoku District of Ghana as the study area.

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Information-seeking behaviour of undergraduate students: A developing country perspective

IFLA Journal ◽

10.1177/0340035219842312 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 140-156 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ahmadul Islam Howlader ◽

Md Anwarul Islam

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Response Rate ◽

Information Resources ◽

Library Services ◽

Related Information ◽

Information Seeking Behaviour ◽

Library Resources ◽

Information Skills

The purpose of this study is to investigate the information-seeking behaviour of the undergraduate students at Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Questionnaires were distributed to the students and data were collected over a period of 60 days between November and December 2017. Of the 450 questionnaires distributed, 339 were returned where the response rate was 75.33%. It was found that most undergraduates needed academic and job-related information. To meet those needs, they often went to the library to study and to prepare for competitive job exams. For doing academic work, they were heavily dependent on the class lectures and they were only slightly satisfied with the library services they get. This study brought out the findings that undergraduates’ information skills were poor and they were not aware of the library resources. The outcome of this research would help to develop information resources and services for the undergraduates in developing countries.

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