Develop more effective library services

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 0 views

Student Information Search Patterns Using the Internet to Meet Information Needs (Case Study: Library in the Library of North Sumatra State Islamic University)

Introduction

In today's digital age, the internet has become an essential tool for students to access and gather information. The North Sumatra State Islamic University Library (UINSU) is one of the institutions that provide digital services and WiFi connections to support students' information needs. However, understanding how students use the internet to meet their information needs is crucial for the development of effective library services and information skills training programs. This case study aims to explore the search patterns of information conducted by UINSU students using the internet.

Methodology

This study employed a descriptive research method to analyze the behavior of students as active users in the library. The researchers used incidental sampling techniques to select respondents, which means that they were randomly chosen based on their existence at the study site. Data was collected through various methods, including initial observations, questionnaires, and literature studies. The data obtained was processed using descriptive statistics and the percentage was calculated to get a clearer picture of the search patterns of student information.

Results

The results of this study showed that UINSU students have conducted information searching for the internet well, both through library digital services and through WiFi connections. This is reflected in every stage in the information search model put forward by Kuhlthau. The six stages of the model are:

Initiation (52%): This stage indicates that students can recognize their information needs and initiate the search process.
Selection (57.2%): This stage shows that students can find and select relevant data to support their information needs.
Exploration (48%): This stage indicates that students can explore and gather information from various sources.
Formulation (49.25%): This stage shows that students can formulate their information needs and create a plan to gather relevant data.
Collection (56%): This stage indicates that students can collect and gather relevant data to support their information needs.
Presentation (50%): This stage shows that students can present information in the right way.

The results also showed that students mainly experience the initiation, selection, collection, and presentation stages well. However, there are challenges felt by students, especially at the stages of exploration and formulation. In both stages, students often find it difficult and tend to stop their search if the expected information is not immediately found.

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that the use of the internet as a source of information by UINSU students is classified as good, but it needs to be balanced with a more effective strategy to support them in facing challenges that may arise during the information search process. This research is not only beneficial for the development of library services, but can also be a reference for the university in designing more optimal information skills training programs for students.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the search patterns of information conducted by UINSU students using the internet. The results show that students mainly experience the initiation, selection, collection, and presentation stages well, but face challenges at the stages of exploration and formulation. This study highlights the need for more support in the process of exploration and information search formulation to help students overcome the frustration that arises when they do not find relevant information quickly.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Develop more effective library services: The library should develop more effective services to support students in their information search process, including providing more resources and training programs.
Design more optimal information skills training programs: The university should design more optimal information skills training programs for students to help them overcome the challenges they face during the information search process.
Provide more support for exploration and formulation: The library and the university should provide more support for students during the exploration and formulation stages of the information search process.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited scope: This study only focuses on the search patterns of information conducted by UINSU students using the internet, and does not explore other aspects of information seeking behavior.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to explore other aspects of information seeking behavior, including the use of other information sources, such as books and journals. Additionally, future research should aim to investigate the impact of information skills training programs on students' information seeking behavior.

References

Kuhlthau, C. C. (1993). Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and information services. Ablex Publishing Corporation.

North Sumatra State Islamic University Library. (2020). Library Services. Retrieved from https://library.uinsu.ac.id/

Appendix

The appendix includes the questionnaire used in this study, as well as the data collected from the respondents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Student Information Search Patterns Using the Internet

Q: What is the main focus of this study?

A: The main focus of this study is to explore how UINSU students use the internet in meeting their information needs.

Q: What research method was used in this study?

A: This study employed a descriptive research method to analyze the behavior of students as active users in the library.

Q: How were the respondents selected for this study?

A: The researchers used incidental sampling techniques to select respondents, which means that they were randomly chosen based on their existence at the study site.

Q: What are the six stages of the information search model used in this study?

A: The six stages of the information search model used in this study are:

Initiation: This stage indicates that students can recognize their information needs and initiate the search process.
Selection: This stage shows that students can find and select relevant data to support their information needs.
Exploration: This stage indicates that students can explore and gather information from various sources.
Formulation: This stage shows that students can formulate their information needs and create a plan to gather relevant data.
Collection: This stage indicates that students can collect and gather relevant data to support their information needs.
Presentation: This stage shows that students can present information in the right way.

Q: What are the challenges faced by students during the information search process?

A: The results of this study show that students face challenges during the exploration and formulation stages of the information search process. In both stages, students often find it difficult and tend to stop their search if the expected information is not immediately found.

Q: What are the implications of this study for library services and information skills training programs?

A: The results of this study indicate that the use of the internet as a source of information by UINSU students is classified as good, but it needs to be balanced with a more effective strategy to support them in facing challenges that may arise during the information search process. This research is not only beneficial for the development of library services, but can also be a reference for the university in designing more optimal information skills training programs for students.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Limited scope: This study only focuses on the search patterns of information conducted by UINSU students using the internet, and does not explore other aspects of information seeking behavior.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research should aim to explore other aspects of information seeking behavior, including the use of other information sources, such as books and journals. Additionally, future research should aim to investigate the impact of information skills training programs on students' information seeking behavior.

Q: What are the references used in this study?

A: The references used in this study include:

Kuhlthau, C. C. (1993). Seeking meaning: A process approach to library and information services. Ablex Publishing Corporation.
North Sumatra State Islamic University Library. (2020). Library Services. Retrieved from https://library.uinsu.ac.id/

Q: What is the appendix of this study?

A: The appendix of this study includes the questionnaire used in this study, as well as the data collected from the respondents.