Iranian Journal of Information Processing & Management (Mar 2012)
A Comparison of Online Search Skills among Public Medical Science Students of Bandar Abbas and Rafsanjan Universities in 2008- 2009
Abstract
This study aimed to review and compare online search skills and determine the factors affecting familiarity with these skills among the medical students studying at two State Universities (Bandar Abbas and Rafsanjan).The sample consisted of 545 students and data was collected by using questionnaires. The gathered data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS software. Using 7 online search skills and factors affecting familiarity with these skills, attempt was made to identify the most influential factors and also assess the students' familiarity with these skills utilizing specialized questions. Moreover, the findings of the research indicated that the overall assessment of students at Bandar Abbas was higher than that of Rafsanjan. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding specialized questions about online search skills. Factors such as English proficiency, the students' ideas about their ability in information retrieval, interest in medical digital library and obtaining new information using databases, their previous experience, whether the students agree with offering a course in online search skills, seeking others help familiarity with databases and interest in presenting articles in congresses. All had a significant effect on familiarity and identification of online search skills. Furthermore, gender, stage of study (basic sciences, pathophysiology or clinical), English proficiency, previous experience, and familiarity with databases had a significant effect on the effectiveness of online search skills.
