Showing 6 results for Information Seeking Behavior
,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (10-2008)
Abstract
The basic mission of education is the mental and spiritual elevation of students. As an Institution it should prepare students for critical thinking. Thus the most important role of a school library is aimed to teach information literacy. School libraries are no longer a place for storing books, but have evolved into School Media Centers that enables students to deal meaningfully with a plethora of diverse information. With trained staff, also known as school media specialists, these centers not only contribute to the usage of information, but could also assist in classroom curriculum integration. Some investigators have disclosed that in spite of rich information resources in school libraries, there are barriers before students information seeking. By studying these barriers and offering approaches and practical guidelines to overcome them, significant benefits could be realized. The present paper is also intent on studying these barriers and means of removing them. Initially the status of school libraries, and later the standing of school librarians in present age are investigated. Then there would be a brief treatment of the concept of information need and information seeking behavior as well as the barriers against student information seeking as reflected in various research literature. Some of the solutions offered thereof are discussed.
Ali Jalali Dizaji , Zohreh Parvini ,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (11-2011)
Abstract
Purpose: This research was conducted with the aim of determining the information seeking behavior in web for higher education students of Razi University (Kermanshah).
Methodology: In the quantitative and qualitative parts of the research, survey methodology and Grounded Theory were followed, respectively. In the first part, data analysis was performed using SPSS 11 for the survey, while in the qualitative phase it was conducted by Grounded Theory as proposed by Meho and Tibbo pattern.
Findings: Concerning the familiarity of university students with searching methods and tools as well as types of web resources, and information seeking behavior of students of different fields at levels of information search, retrieval, and processing, the present study obtained significant results. Also, data resulted from Lown test showed that the level of information seeking behavior among engineering students is high, whereas it is low among students of agriculture and human sciences departments. In the qualitative part, the results indicate that appropriate information seeking for students comprises eight steps: the three steps of starting, pursuing, and reviewing are at search level; the two steps of filtering and updating are at retrieval level; and the three steps of information filing, archiving, and organizing are at processing level.
Originality/Value: Based upon studies of this kind, it is possible to predict the information needs of users and facilitate the main ways through which the users access the information resources, and also to help the users to gain their necessary information with less time loss and higher efficiency.
Marzyeh Bagheri, Bibi Eshrat Zamani, Seyed Majid Abdollahi,
Volume 18, Issue 4 (1-2013)
Abstract
Purpose: to investigate effectiveness of information counseling on informational seeking behavior in finding research resources in public libraries of Fould Shar in Isfahan province.
Method: this is an experimental research that compares the results of pre-test and post test of experiment and control group after information counseling. The population was the members of Fouldshar Shahid Tavakoli library. 36 members were randomly selected and put them in two groups. 5 sessions of 90 minutes were held for experiment group. Researcher designed questionnaire was used for data gathering . Data were analyzed using independent t test with SPSS software.
Findings: results indicated that there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of students’ scores regarding the pre and post test between two experimental and control group. information counseling courses had three positive effects on library users such as accessibility to research resources, improving users’ information seeking behaviors and leaving positive effect on users ‘attitudes.
Originality/Value: The present research indicated the importance and effect of information counseling courses seeking behavior.
Vahideh Zare Gavgani, Elham Gheysari , Mohammad Asghari Jafar Abadi,
Volume 20, Issue 1 (3-2014)
Abstract
Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to examine the ways, resources, and objectives of obtaining health related information by members of four Qazvin public libraries (affiliated with the Public Libraries Foundation) in December 2011. For the purpose of data analysis, descriptive statistics were used.
Findings: Almost all members of Qazvin public libraries have experienced the need for health related information in their daily lives. Most commonly, this is obtained through passive means. Watching TV was the most popular method of obtaining health information, and was ranked in first place. Where internet research was concerned, search engines were the most popular method. Prevention was found to be the key motivation for individuals seeking health information.
Originality/value: This study is valuable given the emergence of new era of health information within the public libraries of Iran, and the emphasis placed by the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education and in particular, the clinical governance program on the collaboration of community and patients in making decisions based on their health related issues. This study is valuable for public libraries particularly in terms of developing a policy for offering health information services. It illustrates the inclinations, and needs of the libraries' members, and shows the channels and types of resources being used.
Elham Mirzaei, Nadjla Hariri, Dariush Matlabi,
Volume 26, Issue 3 (12-2020)
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study is to identify the components affecting information seeking behavior and to measure their impact from Persian and English articles in this field. In addition, the moderating variables affecting information seeking behavior were identified and their effect size was calculated.
Method: The method of this study is meta-analysis. The research population included all research papers indexed in the Islamic World Science Citation Database (ISC) for national research as well as all research papers indexed in ProQuest database for international research. According to the inclusion criteria, 89 studies were selected and among them, 19 studies had dependent variables of information seeking behavior and independent variables affecting information seeking behavior to calculate the effect size, which were included in the meta-analysis. These studies were conducted by applying survey method and by using questionnaire tools in different societies and according to reliable criteria. Data were analyzed using the CMA2 software.
Findings: In the studies carried out in this field (which included in the meta-analysis), a total of 16 variables and factors affecting information seeking behavior were identified in four main subgroups of students, faculty members, medical staff and citizens. These factors include: Internet use, access to information resources, familiarity with specialized resources, Internet skills, search skills, familiarity with new technologies, basic knowledge of the field of search, lack of time, ability to recognize the validity of information, motivation to seek information occupation, English language proficiency, Internet access, information literacy level, personal factors, Internet anxiety, and personal interest. The overall results of the meta-analysis showed that the effect size or the coefficient of influence of the components and factors affecting the information seeking behavior is 0.589, which is rated as high according to Cohen's interpretive system. In addition, the extent of the effect of variables and factors affecting information seeking behavior is different in term of the two variables of sample group (students, faculty members, medical staff and citizens) and the field of study (internal and external research), and both variables are moderating variables affecting information-seeking behavior.
Originality/value: Due to the fact that many studies have been conducted on variables and factors affecting information seeking behavior, there was no research dealing with their results in the form of meta-analysis. Therefore, this research has tried to fill this gap. The information seeking behavior of individuals is influenced by factors, and the 16 factors identified in this study considerably affect how individuals seek information. Furthermore, in addition to the independent factors and variables of the variable, information seeking behavior is different depending on different groups of society and their local context and language.
Maryam Ghanbari Khoshnood, Zeinab Safavi, Parvin Derikvand, Fateme Rastegary,
Volume 30, Issue 2 (6-2024)
Abstract
Purpose: Personality traits are effective in information seeking behavior. The present research was conducted with the aim of discovering the relationship between personality traits and health information seeking behavior of users of the central library of Hamadan province based on Miller's theory.
Method: The type of this study is applied and its method is a survey. The research population included all 4638 users of the central library of Hamadan province. According to Morgan's table, the sample size was 355 people and 346 questionnaires were used in the final analysis. The tools of data collection were the standard questionnaires of Five Neo Personality Factors and Miller's Health Information Seeking Behavior. Data analysis was done at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 26.
Findings: 75.4% (261 people) of the studied population actively search for health information and 24.6% (85 people) consciously avoid searching for health information. There is a high and significant relationship between the personality traits of Extroversion, Agreeableness and Passion for New Experiences with the component of active search for health information and there was a low and significant relationship between the three mentioned personality traits with the conscious avoidance of health information search component. There was no significant relationship between the personality traits of Emotional Stability and Conscientiousness with the components of health information seeking behavior. The results of multiple linear regression analysis to predict the conscious search for health information through personality traits showed that the personality traits Extroversion, Agreeableness and Openness with predicting 42.9 percentage of the variance of the dependent variable is a good indicator for explanation. In predicting conscious avoidance of seeking health information through personality traits, it was found that the personality traits Extroversion, Agreeableness and Passion for new experiences explained 36.3% of the variance of the dependent variable. It can be said that they are a good indicator for explanation.
Originality/value: The findings of this research based on the importance of public health knowledge and the influence of personality traits on the way of seeking health information and the type of preventive behaviors to deal with stressful events can help managers and planners of public libraries in making decisions related to the provision of resources according to the personality characteristics and training users for health information seeking skills. The results of the present research, by determining the prevalence of personality traits of Extroversion, Agreeableness and Openness of the studied users shows the necessity of librarians' efforts in providing services by considering these characteristics and promoting services and information resources according to users’ other personality traits and behavioral characteristics.
