Introduction to Information Behavior of Postgraduate Students of Shiraz Islamic Azad University and Approach of them in Use of Humanities, Print and Electronic Resources

Abstract

Background and aim: The purpose of this research is to investigate the information-seeking behaviourof Shiraz Islamic Azad University postgraduate students, and how to prioritize and use of various information sources. The research also investigate the role of demographic characteristics in students information-seeking process, as well as use of various informationsources.Material and methods: The research method is surveying. The population of the study consisted of 298 postgraduate students that randomly selected through classified ratio sampling method. A researcher made questionnaire was developed and after measuring its validity and reliability, distributed among the sample in person. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics and SPSS software.Findings: The results show that the students use from the electronic, printed and humanities resources respectively for fulfilling information needs and updating information. Students believe that information and communication technologies have reduced their visits to libraries. Students seek help from librarians primarily to locate books and other documents and to search for information at the first stage. Students encounter a range of problems and barriers in their information-seeking process that the most important are the Lack of resources, Expensive resources and the scattered information. Conclusion: Despite of the effects of new technologies on students’ presence in academic libraries, all types of information resources are still consulted by them.Various purposes for of information acquisition determines the type of information source, and students identify and use the information resources according to their information needs.

Keywords

• information behavior
• postgraduate students
• information resources
• information process