View
212
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
Search and Use of Information among Computer Science and Information
Technology Undergraduates
Mohd Sharif Mohd Saad Faculty of Information Management
University Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam MALAYSIA
mohd.sharif@gmail.com
Part of a study to investigate Information Seeking Behavior of 14 Final year undergraduate at the faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya-while conducting their final year project proposal.
Introduction
bjectives of the bjectives of the studystudy
the decision when choosing research topics by final year students
the sources and channels of information they use and prefer
the utility of libraries and librarians the use of the Internet the search strategies used their thoughts on ethical issues when
searching and using information.
Background : Why CS & IT Background : Why CS & IT Final Year UndergraduatesFinal Year Undergraduates
Expected to be computer and Internet literate
Have taken Information Skills Course – offered by the library
Past 2 years being doing assignments, projects
MethodologyMethodology
14 students volunteers (3 males, 11 females)
Complete their Information Search Diaries
Response to email questionnaire Face to face interview
Choosing the project Choosing the project titletitle
8 – Depend on titles provided by lecturers
8 – Discuss with their lecturer 3 – Propose own topic6 – Discuss with friends/seniors
Respondents R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11
R12 R13 R14 Total
InformationSources
Internet X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14
Past years Final Yr Projects
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X14
Lecturers X X X X X X X X X X X X 12
Friends X X X X X X X X X X X X 12
Books X X X X X X X X X X X 11
Interview/Survey/Questionnaires
X X X X X X X X
8
Journal Article X X X X X 5
OPAC X X X X 4
Buy Books X X X X 4
Visits X X X X 4
Information Sources Used
Respondents R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 Total
Electronic Full Text
X X X3
BrochuresX X
2
CD RomX
1
Newspaper & Television X
1
Seminar Papers X
1
Attended Seminar X
1
Reference Librarian X
1
Online Index/Abstract
-
Government Reports
-
Information Sources Used…cont
Why?Why?
Lecturer/supervisorsFriends/seniors
Search PatternSearch Pattern
Search Pattern of the Internet
Information Search Subject System
Familiarity
Method of Access
Know the Report Do not Know the Report
Recommended Recommended Browsing By Friend by Lecturers
Outcome Needs Met Partially Met Not Met
Further Action
Problems1. Cannot find the required Information.2. Limited Opening Hours
Continue Seeking & Evaluating
Information Search and Use of Past Years Reports
Information Search Subject System
Familiarity
Method of Access
Know the Book Do not Know the Book
Recommended Recommended OPAC Book Store By Friend by Lecturers
Outcome Needs Met Partially Met Not Met
Further Action
Problems 1. Book not in the Library2. Books borrowed by others3. Too few titles in the Library4. Books are expensive
Continue Seeking &
Evaluating
Information Search and Use of Books
Information Search Subject System
Methodology
Survey Interview Visit
Electronic Manual Electronic Face to Sites Exhibition
Face
Outcome Needs Met Partially Met Not Met
Further Action
Problems
1. Poor response
2. Difficulty in Scheduling appointments
3. Some information are Confidential
Continue Seeking & Evaluating
Search Patterns for Survey/Interview/Visit
Evaluation Method R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6
R7 R8 R9 R10
R11
R12
R13
R14
Total
Compare with other sources
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 14
Lecturers/Supervisor X X X X X X X X X X X X X 13
Friends X X X X X X X X X X X 11
Integrity/authority of authors, editors, publishers
X X X X X X X X X X 10
Check the date X X X X X X 6
Compare with lecture notes
X X X X 4
Compare with well known projects
X X X 3
Information contains references
X X 2
Refer to authentic sources like reference text, reference given
X 1
Try the coding (programming)
X 1
Own Analysis X 1
EVALUATION OF INFORMATION
4 – did not find the lib. services useful to them4 – did not find the lib. services useful to them3 – the lib. fulfill their needs3 – the lib. fulfill their needs1 – approach the librarian for assistance 1 – approach the librarian for assistance
Are aware of inter-lib. loan but never use Are aware of inter-lib. loan but never use themthemA good place to study and read A good place to study and read Librarian looks busyLibrarian looks busyLibrarian cannot help them because their Librarian cannot help them because their subjects are very technicalsubjects are very technical
Libraries and Librarians
Able to explain the term “plagiarism” Cited the references used All 14 information are “Aware” and
“Agreed” the importance of IP, but admitted to using pirate software
Ethical use of Information and Intellectual Property
Why?Why?
“Original software are too expensive, if I fully depend on the original one, a student like me can never afford them. I have to use it or I will never learn Computer Science” (R1)
“We cannot afford original software, after all it is not being use professionally” (R4)
“Cheap and it is normal to use in education” (R4) “I think it dos not matter when compared to if use by a
company” (R13) “As long as it is not for commercial use “(R10) “Students are not developing actual system” (R12).
PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS
Recommended