Decoding the Information Discovery Patterns of Post-Graduate Students in Pakistan

Abstract

In digitization, Information Retrieval (IR) seems to be an unavoidable element. Information on the World Wide Web is massively increasing and availing the required one, is getting difficult. People are approaching the internet with different techniques for retrieving their required digital information. The study focuses on the searching attitude and behavior of post-graduate students of one of the leading universities of Pakistan, The University of Karachi. This study focuses on their preference for required information, their methods of selection, their preferences, and the strategy used for content selection. The survey method was used to gather the data from respondents and then analyzed quantitatively. It was found from the results that postgraduate students prefer to get information from libraries and consult primarily books and journals for information. It brings clarity to the fact that many students still prefer to read print than online, reflecting the serendipity of the physicality of the book. In printed searching, they prefer citation searching, while in online, they go for browsing, title, and keyword searching. The most used search engine is Google and Google Scholar. The study will be significant in getting an insight into the information retrieval preferences of postgraduates during their research. It will be helpful for the institutions to design more digital literacy programs for scholars. It will also compare the search patterns of students in Pakistan with other international educational systems, bringing equal opportunities for scholars in developing states.