Topic Selection:
 Information available on the web
 Debates about Information Seeking Behaviour
 Investigate the presence of the academic library
Methodology:
 Online survey using SurveyMonkey.com
 Target: Business and Engineering students
 Desired no. Of respondents = 40
 Actual no. Of respondents = 42
 Desired time limit to respond = 7-10 days
 Actual time taken = 3-4 weeks
Challenges faced:
 Software’s useful features need to be paid for
 Survey errors discovered
 Collecting responses
 A variety of information available on the web
 Some participants found the survey a little confusing
Research Findings:
 Age of Participants:
0%
33%
Under 18
18-22
23+
67%
Research Findings: Methods used to search
for information for a university task
 Business students
 Primary source
Google and other search engines
 Secondary source
Databases & library e-materials
 Last option
Library hard copy resources
 Engineering students
 Primary source
Materials given by academics
 Secondary source
Google and other search engines
 Last option
Library hard copy resources
Research Findings: The use of
Google and other search engines
 Business students
 Students always formulate key words using the question
given
 Students often scan through the information found to
decide its relevance
 Sometimes, some students copy the information found
into their paper; others, rarely or never do so.
Research Findings: The use of
Google and other search engines
 Engineering students
 Students always develop more keywords as they proceed
with their searching process
 Some students often formulate the answer in their own
words, others tend to copy the information into their
work
 Students rarely or never narrow down their result list
Research Findings: The use of the
academic library
 Business students
 40% of participants were not fully familiar with the
services the library offers
 40% were familiar enough with how the library
materials are organised
 60% rarely or never look for materials written by a
specific author
 60% sometimes ask for the help of a librarian to find
relevant resources
 45% end up using library hard copy materials in their
work
Research Findings: The use of the
academic library
 Engineering students
 42% of participating students are sometimes familiar with the
services the library offers
 38% are sometimes familiar with how the materials are
organised in the library
 67% rarely or never look for materials written by a specific
author
 48% rarely or never ask for the help of a librarian to find
relevant information
 38% often go to the library, hoping for the best
 48% sometimes end up using library materials in their work
Research Findings: Feelings
associated with ISP
 Business students
16
14
12
10
8
Always
Often
6
Somtimes
Seldom/Never
4
2
0
I am stressed
when I first read
the assignment
task to be
completed
I feel a little
I feel
I slowly gain my
I am fully
relieved when I overwhelmed with confidence after confident after the
start my search
the amount of
more in-depth
task is done
information I
search
usually find
Research Findings: Feelings
associated with ISP
 Engineering students:
12
10
8
Always
6
Often
Sometimes
4
Seldom/Never
2
0
I am stressed when
I feel a little
I feel overwhelmed I usually feel more
I am fully
the assignment
relieved when I with the amount of confident after confident after the
task is given
start my search
information I
more in-depth
task is done
usually find
search
Conclusions:
 Aim: to reveal any common patterns between Business
and Engineering students
Does subject
specialisation affect the way students search for
information?
 Research findings supported the current literature
 Common patterns were evident
References:
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