Information searching behavior among undergraduate student towards online database usage

Abstract

The underutilization of online database subscribed by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) library causes a major loss to IIUM since it takes million per year to subscribe the online database. It has been admitted by a responsible authority of IIUM library that the usage of online database is decreasing. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the elements of information searching behavior (ISB) among IIUM undergraduate (UG) student when using online database subscribed by IIUM library, to discover the relationship between elements of ISB among IIUM UG student and the usage of online database and lastly, to develop a model based on the ISB elements of IIUM UG student and the usage of online database. This study proved that the elements of ISB among IIUM UG student are related to the usage of online database. The elements are identified as psychological perception, searching strategies and resources provided by IIUM library. At the end of this study, a model of ISB among IIUM UG student is developed based on the correlation and hypotheses tested between variables. Search engine developed from this model will be more student friendly. Hence, the use of online database will be increased. It may facilitate both IIUM UG and postgraduate student to publish the research papers and finding the right reference.