A Study of Information Searching Skills using Search Engines among Undergraduate Students at Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep

Abstract

This study pursued four objectives: 1) to examine students’ use of academic search tools; 2) to assess their information-seeking skills; 3) to identify problems encountered when searching with academic search engines; and 4) to compare information-seeking behaviors, skills, and problems by sex, faculty, and year of study among undergraduate students at Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep (RMUTK). The population comprised 12,415 full-time undergraduates (Years 1-4) across seven faculties. A stratified random sample of 373 students was selected. Data were collected using a five-point Likert-type questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA.

The study found that students of different genders, faculty, and year of study were significantly associated with students’ search behaviors, skills, and problems (p < .05). Students reported high internet use frequency and predominantly relied on Google ( =4.69, SD =0.562). The most common mode of learning to search was self-directed, through hands-on experience (40.8%). Query formulation typically involved entering keywords in the search box (54.2%), and result exploration commonly proceeded by scanning available headings/lists (62.2%). Despite these practices, the overall mean score for information-seeking skills was low ( =2.18, SD =0.082). In selecting results to view, students most often prioritized the title presented by the search engine (29.2%). Students used the internet more than ten times per week chiefly for entertainment, and the formats of information accessed were predominantly text and images.