Graduate information literacy skills: the 2003 ANU skills audit

Perrett, Valerie

doi:10.1080/00049670.2004.10721622

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…For example Perrett (2004) recommended information search training to 59 percent of students assessed. One study found that the most common difficulties students had in finding information was choosing keywords and refining searches and sorting through masses of information to find relevant resources (Hoffmann et al, 2008).…”

Section: Disciplinary Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of graduate students' information seeking behavior: a meta‐synthesis of the literature

Catalano

2013

Journal of Documentation

147

116

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Purpose -The purpose of this review is to draw out patterns of information seeking behavior of graduate students as described in the empirical research published from 1997 to the present. Design/methodology/approach -A systematic search of databases for studies on information behavior and graduate students was employed in order to retrieve studies for a systematic review. Common themes that emerged from the literature were synthesized into a discussion of behavior patterns. Additionally a study quality analysis was conducted for all retrieved studies using a critical appraisal checklist for library and information research.Findings -This review revealed that graduate students begin their research on the internet much like any other information seeker, consult their faculty advisors before other people, and use libraries in diverse ways depending on the discipline studied. Additionally differences were noted between international and home students, and doctoral and master's students. Practical implications -The findings of this review indicate that information behavior research conducted on graduate students should delineate between masters' and doctoral students. Further, the findings may inform both academic librarian and faculty practice as to how to assist students with their research by helping them to understand how students typically approach research and how other institutions address common issues with special populations, such as non-native speakers and distance learners. Originality/value -No comprehensive review of information behavior studies, encompassing only the behaviors of graduate students has been conducted to date. IntroductionGraduate students have information needs that are often very different than those of undergraduates. Their needs can be more sophisticated and complex. Understanding the information seeking behaviors of graduate students may better equip librarians, faculty, doctoral supervisors and administration to help shape those behaviors by offering appropriate and needed services and instruction.Wilson (1999) defined information behavior as "Those activities a person may engage in when identifying their own need for information, searching for information and using or transferring that information." Graduate students have described themselves as being more confident and vested in the materials that they produce as a result of their research (e.g. Vezzosi, 2009). They should know their disciplines and how to engage in the research process far more adeptly than undergraduate students. Conversely, Kuhlthau (2004; cited in Barrett, 2005) states that undergraduate students cope more than seek information.

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Section: Disciplinary Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of graduate students' information seeking behavior: a meta‐synthesis of the literature

Catalano

2013

Journal of Documentation

147

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…While a few studies have included basic skills assessment of postgraduates (Samson, 2000;Emmett & Emde, 2007;Perrett, 2004) or have declared that their tests could be used for longitudinal testing (Kent State University, 2010; Leibiger & Schweinle, 2008: 91), no studies specifically attempting to compare the skill levels of undergraduate and postgraduate students have been located in the literature.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Prepared are Students for Postgraduate Study? A Comparison of the Information Literacy Skills of Commencing Undergraduate and Postgraduate Information Studies Students at Curtin University

Conway¹

2011

Australian Academic & Research Libraries

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“…reported never using Boolean operators and 28% used them seldom. Perrett's (2004) audit of Australian graduate students found less than half (49%) had a firm understanding of how to search databases using Boolean operators. Mehrad and Rahimi (2012) found for a range of search skills, students at both the MA and PhD level, performed lowest on Boolean and synonyms and suitable keywords.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Boolean redux: Performance of advanced versus simple boolean searches and implications for upper-level instruction

Lowe

Stone

Maxson

et al. 2020

The Journal of Academic Librarianship

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Building off an earlier study, which examined whether or not it was beneficial to teach Boolean logic to introductory students, the present study examines the efficacy of Boolean OR searching in more advanced search strategies, for example, capstone projects and graduate theses and dissertations. Results show that both simple and advanced Boolean searches yield relevant results. Based on relevance, there is no compelling evidence that either search is superior. To capture all the literature on a topic, however, it is important that upper-level students know the relevant databases for their discipline and perform multiple searches. Results can help inform whether teaching Boolean search skills to upper-division students in disciplinary contexts is time well spent.

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Graduate information literacy skills: the 2003 ANU skills audit

Cited by 22 publications

References 0 publications

Patterns of graduate students' information seeking behavior: a meta‐synthesis of the literature

Patterns of graduate students' information seeking behavior: a meta‐synthesis of the literature

How Prepared are Students for Postgraduate Study? A Comparison of the Information Literacy Skills of Commencing Undergraduate and Postgraduate Information Studies Students at Curtin University

Boolean redux: Performance of advanced versus simple boolean searches and implications for upper-level instruction

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