Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
In the 21st century, higher institutions of learning have completely transformed their teaching and learning by adopting the web and its related technologies due to the change of scenery in terms of information searching. Notably, the new generation of students is highly dependent on the internet for their academic and personal activities. However, the internet contains a vast array of information, and some of this information is not suitable for scholarly use. Thus it is crucial for new undergraduates to have the necessary competencies that will allow them to efficiently search and retrieve information online. Therefore, this transformation encouraged the examination of Web Information Seeking Behaviour of Undergraduate Students of Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand. This research project aimed to enlighten curriculum designers about the importance of including more IT-related modules in the first-year students’ curriculum, furthermore it aimed at assisting academic libraries to realize challenges facing undergrads regarding using their services on the web.
The study employed a quantitative research approach using a close-ended questionnaire as a data collection tool.
The study found that the web is the major source of information among library and information studies undergraduate students. The study also found that the web is used by students for academic purposes like assignment completion, research, and study purposes. Further findings indicate that the Google search engine was found to be the most used tool for information searching.