Assessing information seeking behaviors of graduate students: in case of Assosa university

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the information seeking behaviour of Assosa
University students in North West of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. To attain this objective,
descriptive survey method were involved. The subjects of the study were from seven colleges.
Library observations, questionnaires and interviews were used to gather the necessary data.
Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The result also clearly
showed that students from all colleges have major preference toward the resources Internet,
journal articles and handout as their major sources of getting information in the university. As
far as the purpose of seeking information concerned the students from all colleges mainly seek
information for updating knowledge, doing assignment and write research or term papers.
Among the factors that affect the information seeking behaviour were mode of teaching, lack of
awareness the available resources, lack of computer, lack of skills was the most serious problem
that affects their information seeking behaviour of all colleges. Moreover, the other impending
factor that positively affects the information seeking behaviour were lack of computers, slow
internet connection, lack of time, lack of reading materials and location of information
materials. It is evident from the research findings that all college students have positive attitudes
towards the resources library books services, electronic resources (digital library) and
discussions with colleagues’. Considering this fact, librarians or concerned bodies should
increase their communication and interpersonal skill to provide better services and create
awareness among the students in the use of information sources like CD-ROM, journal articles;
electronic resources (digital library). The University should give formal training on information
seeking and skill gap trainings and improve internet connection too.