INDIGO (University of Illinois at Chicago)· 2018
Scholarly Use of Information: Graduate Students' Information Seeking Behaviour
- 198citations
- 2018year
Short summary
Graduate students primarily rely on professors and peers for research direction and resources, with the internet and print materials playing significant roles, though convenience and resource-finding sophistication influence their choices.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Professors and peers are the primary sources of research direction and resources for graduate students.
- Graduate students use both the internet and print resources, with convenience and ease of access being key factors.
- Information-seeking behavior varies significantly across different academic disciplines and programs.
- University libraries and academic staff can improve student support by re-evaluating instructional programs and services.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Introduction. This study explored graduate students' information behaviour related to their process of inquiry and scholarly activities. Method. In depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with one hundred graduate students representing all disciplines and departments from Carnegie Mellon University. Analysis. Working in pairs, we coded transcripts of interviews into meaningful categories using ATLAS.ti software. The combined use of quantitative and qualitative analysis aimed to reduce subjectivity. Results. Graduate students often begin with a meeting with professors who provide direction, recommend and provide resources. Other students help to shape graduate students' research activities, and university library personnel provide guidance in finding resources. The Internet plays a major role, although students continue to use print resources. Convenience, lack of sophistication in finding and using resources and course requirements affect their information behaviour. Findings vary across disciplines and between programmes. Conclusion. Libraries can influence students' information behaviour by re-evaluating their instructional programmes and provision of resources and services. They can take a lead by working with academic staff to guide students.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. INDIGO (University of Illinois at Chicago), 2018 · DOI ↗
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Field: Library and Information Sciences
Library and Information SciencesSocial Sciences