University Libraries Faculty Research & Creative Works
An Analysis of Undergraduate Students' Search Behaviors in an Information Literacy Class
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to investigate how students' search strategies changed over the course of a semester-long information literacy class. Data collection included four different paper questionnaires corresponding to course content in the spring 2008 semester. Seventy-seven participants completed the questionnaires and course work in the class. Results showed that participants' demographics did not have any impact on their selection of search keywords. While participants reported better search experiences with more search keywords, they were not able to develop more sophisticated search keywords after receiving more instruction and search experience. The participants who did develop more sophisticated search keywords had better search experiences and a higher rate of satisfaction with their research results. Future studies should examine what enabled these participants to develop more sophisticated search keywords.
Recommended Citation
Chen, H. (2009). An Analysis of Undergraduate Students' Search Behaviors in an Information Literacy Class. Journal of Web Librarianship, 3(4), pp. 333-347. Taylor & Francis Inc..
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/19322900903328807
Department(s)
Library and Learning Resources
Keywords and Phrases
Academic libraries; Educational standards; Higher education; Information and computer literacy; Information literacy; Search strategies; Undergraduate students
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1932-2909; 1932-2917
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2009 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.
