Information Seeking Behavior of Graduate Students of the College of Business and Economics at Addis Ababa University
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Date
2020-06-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The aim of this study is examine the information seeking behavior of graduate Students of the College of Business and Economics at Addis Ababa University. The study employed mixed method approach and data collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interview, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the graduate students of the College of Business and Economics at Addis Ababa University. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used to analyze quantitative data and the qualitative data were analyzed and used for further information for the purpose of conclusion and recommendations. The findings of this research revealed that the major information seeking of graduate students included information for updating themselves, and education purpose. The most commonly consulted sources included internet and university library. An electronic information source was the most preferred information format. Moreover the findings suggested that Google search engine is the most consulted search engine to searching information for academic purpose. When seeking information, students faced various challenges such as, financial constraints, poor library facilities, insufficient ICT facilities, accessibility and quality of information, power failure, poor searching skills, lack of time, slow internet connection speed. Based on survey findings, the author makes recommendations for improving both students’ information searching skill and slow internet connection to better meet the needs of users. The study concluded that challenges encountered in their information seeking are mostly technological and the challenges may pose difficulties for searching information.
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Information, Information Seeking, Information Seeking Behavior, Information Behavior