Abstract

GOMEZ RESTREPO, Alexa Milley. Behavior in information seeking: the case of graduate students. Rev. Interam. Bibliot [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.2, pp.133-148. ISSN 0120-0976.

This study is aimed to increase the knowledge about some aspects of the information behavior regarding selection and usage of bibliographic databases -BDB-, of students conducting theses in master and Phd. programs. The study was based on the Information Seeking Process -ISP- Model proposed by Kuhlthau. Based on the ISP Model, the instruments were developed to research about the following aspects: knowledge of databases and students' skills and attitudes in the usage of BDB. The research results showed that the understanding of the necessity of information signicantly affects the selection and usage of databases. It was also evident that the iterative nature of information searches depends on factors such as prior user's knowledge or skills when using the BDB. One of the main conclusions of this study was the corroboration of the initial assumption: the databases usage is determined by subject's internal aspects such as a conscious and formal information need and less by external and intrinsic aspects of the databases

Keywords : information behavior; information needs; information-seeking strategies; database searching; preparation of thesis; graduate students.

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