Information Search and Use of Computer Science and Information Technology Undergraduates

Abstract

Academic librarians and information professionals need to find out strategies and courses of action undertaken by undergraduate students in order to improve information literacy skills or user education programmes and for academics to find out how information literacy could be embedded in current project based courses taught at the faculties. This study used the diary-interview and in-depth interview approach involving 14 final year Computer Science and Information Technology undergraduates who shared their information search and use process. Among the main information sources used were the Internet, books and previous final year project reports. Students relied heavily on their friends and lecturers as their source of information. Very few used journal articles, seminar papers or other sources. Respondents did face problems when searching, evaluating, synthesizing and communicating the information gathered for their final year project proposal. The students also revealed the strategies taken to solve problems encountered. Informants’ thoughts and feelings on the library services and the ethical use of information are also highlighted.