Going Beyond Google: A Comparative Analysis of Student Online Research Habits

Abstract

Student research in the age of the internet is highly influenced by the most popular search engine available, namely Google. In this study, students were surveyed in two courses about their research habits and use of library resources for a research paper assignment. In the first survey, students were not directed toward any research paradigm, search engine, or portal, but instead were given free license on their approach to their paper topic. In the second survey, students were given access to an online research guide input into the course site on GeorgiaView that was created by the instructor and had several links prepared for their use on a paper topic. The same set of questions were given to both sets of students, and the object of the study was to determine whether or not students would use resources besides Google that were pre-selected for their use by the instructor.

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Mar 11th, 4:00 PM Mar 11th, 5:45 PM

Going Beyond Google: A Comparative Analysis of Student Online Research Habits

Concourse

Student research in the age of the internet is highly influenced by the most popular search engine available, namely Google. In this study, students were surveyed in two courses about their research habits and use of library resources for a research paper assignment. In the first survey, students were not directed toward any research paradigm, search engine, or portal, but instead were given free license on their approach to their paper topic. In the second survey, students were given access to an online research guide input into the course site on GeorgiaView that was created by the instructor and had several links prepared for their use on a paper topic. The same set of questions were given to both sets of students, and the object of the study was to determine whether or not students would use resources besides Google that were pre-selected for their use by the instructor.