METHODOLOGY USED IN STUDIES OF INFORMATION SEEKING AND INFORMATION SKILLS/LITERACY

Research on information seeking or skills/literacy in higher education has been carried out
since the 1980s involving both undergraduates and postgraduates (Cameron 1983; Coupe
1993; Greer, Weston and Alm 1991; Leckie and Fullerton 1999). The methodology employed
quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques, using survey and focus group
approach. Morrison (1997), from Canada employed the focus group method to examine the
undergraduate perspective on the role of libraries in developing information skills. A small
group of seven undergraduates volunteered at the Concordia University College of Alberta
to discuss the concept of information literacy and the role of the library in developing the
skills among the undergraduates. Hartmann (2001) conducted a focus group study among
first year students at the University of Ballarat, Australia to understand why the information
literacy programme was poorly utilized. The study involved three focus groups, two from
the first year and one from the third year. Seaman’s (2001) study of freshman students’
focused on finding out how students acquire and use information. The study used both
quantitative and qualitative methods. It started with an open-ended survey, followed by emails
and interviews to gauge a better understanding of the processes. Among the findings
were that the students consulted friends, teachers, classmates, parents and experts when
looking for information
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A qualitative methodology using interviews was carried out in a study with non-traditional
undergraduates to examine the impact of information literacy instruction and their
information seeking behaviour (Branch 2004). Using semi-structured questions, five
participants were selected from twelve volunteers. Eskola (2005) researched on information
literacy of medical students studying in the problem-based and traditional curriculum also
utilized the qualitative methodology. Sixteen-second year medical students subjected to the
problem-based learning education and fifteen second year students studying according to
the traditional curriculum were involved. The methods for data collection were theme
interviews, students’ diaries, observation and relevant documents.

by:Mohd Sharif Mohd Saad and A. N. Zainab (An investigation of information seeking behaviour of Computer Science and InformationTechnology undergraduates: aqualitative approach)