Tartu Ülikooli tudengite ülikooliga seotud infovajadused ja kasutatavad infokanalid
Date
2011
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Students’ information needs have been previously studied under the library science and information management. My study offers therefore a new approach, since information needs are viewed from the perspective of information channels’ and categorical preferences. There have been many researches focusing on students’ information needs and how it affects their informational behavior. Based on that particular research and various info searching patterns have been developed.
In the following work, I analyzed both, the theoretical material about information needs and information behavior with the results of the survey . This way I could find out the information needs and the use of information channels of the students’ in Tartu University.
In the theoretical part I gave and overview of the theoretical points and explained the key concepts and definitons. I thoroguhly examined the definition of information, information need, information behavior and the grouping of information channels. The theoretical framework of this work contributed to a better understanding of the conducted survey about the information needs of the students’ in Tartu University.
I conducted the survey questionnaire with Kadrian Kotkas and Mehis Tuisk. We also had meetings with the university academic department, who felt great interest in the survey and brought up ideas, that they thought, would make the questionnaire even better. Together we were able to create a very comprehensive and in-depth questionnaire about the use of information channels.
The survey took place in May, 2011, where the web-based questionnaire was sent out to all the students in Tartu University. Including those students, who study in the various university colleges.
In summary I have made some conclusions:
- Students mainly use electronic channels when searching for information about the University of Tartu.
- The areas students most often searched are related to learning
- Sources, which students most frequently use are those in which they inevitably encounter the most.
- The channels ranked the most informative are the channels students use most often.
The work methodology of this thesis fits the objective- as a result of the survey; I got to know the channels that the students use the most and how they evalauate those channels. The survey questionnaire was long and thorough, and embedded with open-ended questions. The outcome data of this survey can be used by different entities, who have to send out information to students daily. They can create detailed analysis and this way provide information as student-friendly as possible.