Information Behavior of Undergraduate Students at Rajabhat Mahasarakham Universities

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the information behavior of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University undergraduate students and 2) identify problems and obstacles for Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University undergraduate students wishing to use information. The representative samples included 385 undergraduate students studying in year 1 - 5 during the academic year 2019. The designed questionnaire was adopted as its research instrument. The statistical data analyses included percentage, mean and standard deviation. The study results found that the information behavior of Rajabhat Maha Sarakham
University undergraduate most students wished to use information for supporting their study reports, followed by preparing for exams, respectively. Students sought information from internet the most, followed by the Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology. Most students searched for information with Thai words more than English terms. They preferred searching with title, followed by heading. Most students used Google’s search engine and the Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology website, respectively. Most students used printing media of journals/magazines, followed by textbooks. Regarding the electronic media usage, most of them used online databases followed by electronic books. Their overall problems and obstacles to use information were at medium level. As separately considered,
the results showed that the problems and obstacles included slow internet speed, followed by insufficient required information. Keyword : information behavior, information seeking, information usage