Perceptions and Uses of Online Information Sources

Abstract

In the age of a society infused with digital technologies and information, the Millennial undergraduates who have grown up with the Web for their entire lives can easily and readily access a wide range of online information sources in relation to their needs in learning. However, in the vast amount of information available online, it is challenging to locate, evaluate, and select quality information that the students are looking for. Despite efforts in helping students to select the optimal sources for acquiring appropriate information for their learning, research indicates that students still often turn to the sources they prefer rather than those more suitable for their needs. In order to better understand and acknowledge the information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students in the Web environment, this study sought to explore the students perception, use, and evaluation of online information sources for their learning. Data were gathered using a mixed-methods approach: survey research followed by Web history log data collection with semi-structured diary. An online survey was administered to 189 undergraduates at Seoul National University in South Korea. Among the survey respondents, 25 students participated in the Web log data collection, where a total of 383 source visits related to learning were captured. The results of data analysis reveal that the factors of accuracy and authority are taken most importantly in the selection of online information sources for learning, and the learning-related sources undergraduates perceive to be most accurate and authoritative are scholarly databases and library OPAC. It also reaffirms a strong preference on the easily accessible and usable information sources, such as domestic search portals and foreign search engines. It is discovered that the students are employing more contemporary sources, such as blogs and community sites as well in response to their information needs in learning. The participants descriptions on their use of sources indicate that they do not only consider the ease of use and accessibility or the accuracy/authority when selecting online sources for learning but also expects to acquire diverse informational perspectives, visualized or simplified presentation of information, and word-of mouth information from the Web. Additionally, different types of information needs and seeking modes associated with learning tasks are identified from the data. Finally, the study confirms the discrepancy among the perceived values and the actual uses of online information sources in the context of learning. The findings of this study explain how undergraduate students evaluate and perceive online information sources for learning, and how the students are using the Web to assist themselves with their learning-related needs. Such understanding of undergraduate students use of various online information sources in the context of learning will contribute to the improvement of information seeking of undergraduates for their learning in the Web environment.