Analysis of Information Seeking Behavior in Internet, by undergraduate Students of Agricultural Extension and Education in Iran

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Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to analyze the through internet information seeking behavior of agricultural extension and education students in Iran. The research was through survey method and the statistical population of the study consisted of all undergraduate students of agricultural extension and education from 4 universities of Tehran, Shiraz, Ramin-Mollasani and Kermanshah. By use of stratified Proportional Random Sampling, 230 students (through Morgan table) were selected. Data were collected by use of a questionnaire the validity of which (Face Validity) was achieved by a panel of Information Science Experts and agricultural extension and education faculty members. Reliability of the questionnaire variables was assessed through an assessment of Cronbach-Alpha coefficient (above 0.7).. According to regression analysis, "information seeking styles in internet" and "English language skills" are the important hindrances and the effective factors in the inadequate information seeking behavior of students in use of internet. Also, the shortcomings in universities' internet availability was an effective factor in limited information seeking behavior of internet on the part of the students.

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