Assessing information seeking behavior components of agricultural graduate students in University of Zanjan

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master Student, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Zanjan University, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assessing components of Information seeking behavior of agricultural graduate students and factors associated with this behavior in University of Zanjan. Agricultural graduate students of Zanjan University formed the statistical population of this descriptive correlational study (N =250). The sample was estimated using Cochran's formula (n=80) and stratified random sampling method used for selecting samples. The questionnaire used for collecting data. The validity of questionnaire was confirmed by feedback of related faculty members. A pilot test was conducted to deter mine the reliability of the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was estimate between 0.71-0.87). Results showed that the most incentive of students from information seeking are conducting research, updating and maintaining up to date in their field study. Conference proceedings, Indexes, reference books and the magazines include the most used source of information from viewpoint of students. Being authentic source, listed in the ISI and ISC indexes are the most important measure of resources from viewpoint of students Inclusion in ISI and ISC indexes. General search engines, free web sites, e-resources and personal efforts are most important channels of information seeking. Using factor analysis, problems of access to information summarized in six factors including Internet and computer service problems, limitations of accessing to the resources, the high costs of data bases sharing and communication problems, lower levels of research skills, computer hardware and software issues and problems of university facilities. These factors explained 36/60% of the total variance problems of access to information.

Keywords

References

Ahangar, A. & Vazirpour Keshmiri, M. (2009). A survey on the information seeking behavior of faulty members of Islamic Azad University, Firoozkooh branch. Journal of Epistemology (Library Information Science and Information Technology), 1(3), 1-14. (In Farsi).
Bigdeli, Z. & Faraj pahlou, A, Ghazi Zadeh, H. (2011). A comparison of internet searching process with Kuhltaduate Farsi).students at Shahed Chamran Univercity. Library and Information Science, 2 (54),11-14. (In Farsi).
Brindesi, H., Monopoli, M. & Kapidaki, S. (2013). Information seeking and searching habits of Greek physicists and astronomers: a case study of undergraduate students. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, (73), 785 – 79.
Buadi, D. K., Anaman, K. A. and Kwarteng, J. A. (2013). Farmers’ perceptions of the quality of extension services provided by non-governmental organisations in two municipalities in the Central Region of Ghana. Agricultural Systems. Article in press.
Choo, C. W., (1999). Closing the cognitive gaps: how people process information.Financial Times of London, Masterying in Information Management Sciense. http://Choo.fis.utoronto.ca/fis/respub. (accessed September 20, 2007).
Klaib, f.j. (2009). Provided information literacy instructions at private university libraries in Jordan and trends of Zarqa Private University students towards its objective achievements. The International Information & Library Review 41: 173-183.
Darzi, S. (2011). Information seeking behavior of graduate students at the Mazandaran University of Online Data Sources. Journal of Knowledge Science (Information and Library Studies Science and Technology), (12), 17-25. (In Farsi).
Durodi, F. (2008). Skills of Library and Information Science students of Islamic Azad University (Science and Research Branch of Tehran) in internet searches. Science and Technology, (1) 34, 1-36. (In Farsi).
Fadaiy, G., Fahim Nia, F., Hosseini, M. & Akbari, A. (2011) Design of a system for selective dissemination of information to the faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at Tehran University. Journal of Information Science and Technology, Iran, (67), 109-126. (In Farsi).
GANJI, SH., DAYANI M.H. & FOROUGHI F.A. (2010). A survey of information needs and seeking behavior of Razi university faculty members (2008). . Library and Information Science , 12(4 (48)), 73-96. . (In Farsi).
Ge, X. (2010). Information-Seeking Behavior in the Digital Age: A Multidisciplinary Study of Academic Researchers. Retrieved 15 may, 2012 from http://crl.org/content/71/5/435.full.pdf.
Habibi, S,. Farzi, J. & Lotf Elahzade, R. (2008). GPS' Information seeking behavior in Ardebil and their approach towrds electronic sources. Jurnal of Ardebil university of Medical Sciences, 2 (28),136-141. (In Farsi).
Halder, S., Ray, A. & Chakrabarty, P.K. (2010). Gender differences in information seeking behavior in three universities in West Bengal, India. The International Information & Library Review, (42), 242-251.
Kalntary, KH. (2012). Processing and data analysis in social research - economy by using SPSS software.Farhange saba.387P.
Kinengyere, A. (2007). The effect of information literacy on the utilization of electronic information resources in selected academic and research institutions in Uganda. The Electronic library, 25 (3), pp. 328- 341.
kiyani Khuzestani, H., Niknam, M. & pishvaiy, F. (2012) Information seeking behavior in medical Yazd university faculty. Journal of National Library and Information Studies, 23 (4),134-120. (In Farsi).
Khosravi, M. (2009). Study and compare information seeking behavior of library patrons Iranian Information and Documentation Center. Book Quarterly, 77, 159-174.. (In Farsi).
Malliari, A., Korobili, S. & Zapounidou, S. (2011). Exploring the information seeking behavior of Greek graduate students: A case study set in the University of Macedonia. The International Information & Library Review, (43), 79-91.
Moradi, I. (2009). Information seeking behavior of faculty members of Islamic Arak Azad University. Book of the Month, Communication and Knowledge Science, (9) 141, 86-72. (In Farsi).
Norouzi, Y.,Talkhabi, M. & Alipour Hafezi, M. (2010) Evaluation of information seeking behavior of Arak university members in using internet. Journal of Epistemology (Library and Information Science and Information Technology), 3(10), 81-91. (In Farsi).
Razavie, A. & Fayazi M. (2009). An analysis of the effects Of internet on the educational and research data acquisition behavior of university students (A case study of Shiraz University) quarterly. Journal of New Approach Educational Administration, 22(4), 31-44. (In Farsi).
Shoughpour, D., Gholami, Z. & Soleymani, M. (2010). Iinvestigating the behavior of information seeking among the full-time members of theacademic ataff of Islamic azad univercity.Region beyond management, 3(12), 183-206. (In Farsi).
Ugwoke, B. U. (2013). Promoting Nigerian agriculture through library and information services. International Journal of Information Management, 33, 564– 566.
 
Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 46, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2015
Pages 541-550

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics