Information seeking behaviour of master’s students using library electronic databases in the Faculty of Humanities, Development and Social Sciences of the University of KwaZulu-Natal

Innovation ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Hadebe ◽  
R Hoskins
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Master's Students ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The University

scholarly journals INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL, PIETERMARITZBURG CAMPUS

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lungile Seyama ◽  
Craig D. Morris ◽  
Christine Stilwell
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Social Model ◽  
Blind And Visually Impaired ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
The University ◽  
Blind Students

Based on a study for a master’s dissertation, this article reports on an investigation of the information seeking behaviour of blind and visually impaired students. It investigated whether the services provided by the University of KwaZulu-Natal on its Pietermaritzburg campus (hereafter UKZN-PMB) accommodated the information seeking behaviour of blind students and those with visual impairments. The theoretical framework for the study was Wilson’s (1996) Model of Information Behaviour, Belkin’s (1982) Anomalous Stat of Knowledge approach and Oliver’s (1996) Social Model of Disability. Blind students and those with visual impairments, the subject librarians from the Main Library and the Disability Unit (DU) Co-ordinator were surveyed. The study revealed that the students exhibited information seeking behaviour that included the DU staff as an indispensable part of information access. Recommendations include developing a strategy to implement the UKZN disability policy and allocating a sufficient budget for the purchase of assistive devices or, preferably, incorporating principles of universal design in the information system.

scholarly journals Curriculum design in theology and development: Human agency and the prophetic role of the church

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beverley Haddad
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Development Programme ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
The Social ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
The University ◽  
The Church

The field of theology and development is a relatively new sub-discipline within theological studies in Africa. The first formal post-graduate programme was introduced at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa during the mid-1990s. In the early years it was known as the Leadership and Development programme and since 2000, as the Theology and Development programme. Over the past twenty years, this programme has graduated over 160 BTh Honours, 100 MTh, and 15 PhD students. This article outlines the history of the programme, addresses its ideological orientation, its pedagogical commitments and preferences in curriculum design. It further argues that theological reflection on “development” must seek to understand the prophetic role of the church in responding to the complexities of the social issues facing the African continent.  Key to this discussion is the contested nature of “development” and the need for theological perspectives to engage this contestation through a social analysis of the global structures of injustice. This requires an engagement with the social sciences. It is this engagement of the social sciences with theological reflection, the essay argues, that has enabled the students who have graduated from the Theology and Development Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to assist the church and faith-based organisations to become effective agents of social transformation.

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 Information Seeking Behaviour of Students of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria.

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-60
Author(s):  
Omobolanle Seri Fasola ◽  
Samuel Oladipo Olabode
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Interpersonal Relations ◽  
Private University ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Internet Connectivity ◽  
Electronic Search ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
The University

The diversity in people account for how they seek information and this is what has prompted this study. This paper investigated the Information-Seeking behaviour of students of Ajayi Crowther University, a private university in South Western Nigeria. The survey research method was used and questionnaire administered to five hundred (500) students randomly selected from the three (3) faculties in the university. The data gathered from the questionnaire was analysed using the frequency count and simple percentage. It was discovered that majority of the students (66%) sought information for academic purposes and the library (62.8%) was their preferred place of searching and using information resources. Also, that their course of study (47.6%) influenced the format (55.4%) they want information in. Majority of the respondents (53.2%) also expressed satisfaction with the library for being able to meet their information needs. Recommendations were then made that the library should increase and improve its stock to meet the demands of the students, provide working internet connectivity to enhance ease of electronic search and databases and train its staff in interpersonal relations to improve staff- user relations. And lastly, that periodic user education should be carried out in the library to educate users on effective and efficient use of the library to get maximum satisfaction.

Information Seeking Behaviour of M. Ed. Students in the University of Kerala

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-12
Author(s):  
Merrin Vimal ◽  
B. Mini Devi
Keyword(s):  
Search Engine ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Library Resources ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
The University

This paper deals with the analysis of information seeking behavior of M.Ed. students in the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. A sum of 169 M Ed students were drawn for conducting the study with an objective to identify the sources of information searched by M.Ed. students, need and preferences for e-resources and print resources. The study showed that M. Ed. students seek information mostly for general awareness, preparing for seminar paper, doing assignments and for preparing project work. The most essential reference sources for the sample is the encyclopedia, Yearbooks, Dictionaries and Manuals. E-resources are preferred more by the M Ed students than the Print resources. Google is most preferred search engine. The results of the study emphasize the need for better orientation about library resources and services among all categories of students for developing information seeking habits.

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 habits of information and knowledge management students: A University of Johannesburg case study

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cornelius J.P. Niemand
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Knowledge Management ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Management Students ◽  
The University ◽  
Information And Knowledge Management

According to Uçak (2007:697), ‘it is important to explore the information behaviours of the students who are being educated in the field of information management since the role they are going to play in establishing connections between information sources and users is crucial’. This study focuses on the identification of the information seeking behaviour of students in the department of Information and Knowledge Management at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The research is based on research conducted at the Hacettep University in Ankara, Turkey.

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