An investigation of information seeking behaviour of Computer Science and Information Technology undergraduates: a qualitative approach

Saad, M. S. M. and Zainab, A. N. An investigation of information seeking behaviour of Computer Science and Information Technology undergraduates: a qualitative approach. Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science, 2009, vol. 14, n. 3, pp. 15-34. [Journal article (Paginated)]

[thumbnail of An investigation of information seeking behaviour of Computer Science and Information Technology undergraduates a qualitative approach.pdf]
Preview
 Text
An investigation of information seeking behaviour of Computer Science and Information Technology undergraduates a qualitative approach.pdf
Download (243kB) | Preview

English abstract

It is a common fallacy to assume that undergraduates are skilled in finding and evaluating resources for their various learning needs. Information professionals need to find out strategies and courses of action undertaken by undergraduate students in order to perhaps improve information literacy skills or user education programmes. This qualitative study uses the diary, emails interaction and in depth face to face interview approach involving 14 final year Computer Science and Information Technology undergraduates whom shared their information search and use process. The objectives of this study are to find out the followings: (a) the decision on deciding research topics by final year students; (b) the sources and channels of information they use and prefer; (c) the utility of libraries and librarians; (d) the use of the Internet; (e) the search strategies adopted; (f) their thoughts on intellectual property and ethical issues. Among the main information sources used were the Internet, books and previous final year project reports. They also seem to rely a lot on their friends and lecturers as their source of information. Very few used journal articles, seminar papers or other sources. An understanding of their information seeking behaviour patterns is the focus of this paper. Informants' thoughts and feeling on the library services and the ethical use of information will be shared.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Additional information: Saad, Mohd Sharif Mohd Zainab, A. N.
Keywords: User studies; Information literacy; Information seeking behaviour; Qualitative study; Undergraduates
Subjects: L. Information technology and library technology
Depositing user: Miss Nur Jannatul Adnin Ahmad Shafawi
Date deposited: 21 Jan 2013 09:00
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:24
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/18224

References

Berry, R. S. Y. 1999. Collecting data by in-depth interviewing. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, University of Sussex, Brighton, Hong Kong, 2-5 September 1999.

Branch, Jennifer L. 2004. Nontraditional undergraduates at home, work, and school: an examination of information seeking behaviors and the impact of information literacy instruction. Research Strategies, Vol. 19, no. 1: 3-15

Burgess, G. 1993. Research methods. Nelson: Walton-on-Thames.

Cameron, Lynn. 1983. Assessment of Library Skills, in What Is Good Instruction Now? Ann Arbor,Mich.: Persian: 50.

Corti, L. 1993. Using diaries in social research. Social Research Update 2. Surrey: University of Surrey

Coupe, Jill. 1993. Undergraduate library skills: Two surveys at Johns Hopkins University.Research Strategies. Vol. 11, no. 4: 188-201

Ellis, D. 2003. Information seeking behaviour, in Feather, J., Sturges, P (Eds), International Encyclopedia of Information and Library Science, London : Routledge.

Eskola, E-L. 2005. Information Literacy of medical students studying in the problem-based and traditional curriculum. Information Research, Vol. 10, no. 2. Available at: http://informationr.net/ir/10-2/paper221.html

Ernest, Douglas J., Level, Allison and Culbertson, Michael. 2005. Information Seeking Behavior for recreational activities and its implications for libraries. Reference Services Review, Vol. 33, no. 1: 88-103

Greer, Arlene, Weston, Lee and Alm, Mary. 1991. Assessment of Learning Outcomes: A Measure of Progress in Library Literacy, College & Research Libraries. Vol. 52, no. 11: 551.

Hartmann, E. 2001. Understandings of information literacy: the perceptions of first year undergraduate students at the University of Ballarat. Australian Academic and Research Libraries. Vol. 32, no. 2: 110-122

Leckie, Gloria J and Fullerton, Anne. 1999. Information Literacy in science and Engineering Undergraduate Education: Faculty Attitudes and Pedagogical Practical Practise, College & Research Libraries. Vol. 60, no.1: 9-29

Mohd Sharif Mohd Saad and A. N. Zainab. 2004. The Internet as a Resource for Final Year Project. Paper presented at the Conference on Information Literacy- Information, Learning, Innovation: Delivering Global Knowledge, October 2004, Brunei Darulsalam.

Morrison, H. 1997. Information literacy skills: an exploratory focus group study of Student perceptions. Research Strategies. Vol. 15, no. 1: 4-17

Oppenheim, A. N. 1992. Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Attitude Measurement.London: Continuum.

Robson, C. 2002. Real World Research: A resource for social-scientists and practitionerresearchers. 2nd Ed. Oxford: Blackwell.

Salkind, N. J. 1997. Exploring research. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Saitri, R. 1999. The evolution of user studies. Libri. Vol. 49 : 132-41

Seaman, H. Nancy. 2001. Information literacy: A study of Freshman Students’ Perception, with Recommendations. Phd. Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Weiss, R. S. 1994. Learning from strangers: The art and methods of qualitative interviewing. New York: Free Press

Zimmermann, D. and Wieder, D. L. 1977. The diary: diary-interview method. Urban Life, Vol. 5: 479-498


Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item
Contact us
Send email Sponsors
Sponsor: AIMS Sponsor: D&P Sponsor: UniNa CAB Get connected
Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Linkedin LinkedIn RSS RSS