The Effect of Virtual Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Information-Seeking Behavior of Graduate Students at Tarbiat Modares University

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master's degree, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Faculty of Management and Economics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Purpose: One of the most significant concerns for university students and professors is access to up-to-date information that meets their informational needs. The changes in education brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic appear to have influenced the information-seeking behavior of students. However, the extent of this change remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of virtual education on the information-seeking behavior of students at Tarbiat Modares University.
Method: This research is an applied study that employs a mixed exploratory approach for data collection. Specifically, both Delphi and survey methods were utilized concurrently to address the research problem. In the qualitative phase, the Delphi method was employed to identify the components of information-seeking behavior and virtual education. The qualitative sample for the Delphi stage consisted of 15 experts selected through purposeful sampling. The quantitative sample included all graduate students at Tarbiat Modares University who enrolled during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years and participated in virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the standard Cochrane sampling table, 357 students were randomly selected for the study and surveyed through an online questionnaire. Ultimately, 257 questionnaires were completed by the students. SPSS software was utilized for data analysis, and a regression test was conducted to assess the impact of virtual education on information-seeking behavior.
Findings: The findings indicate that virtual education has a 0.33 effect on students' information-seeking objectives. Additionally, virtual education influences the resources utilized by students with an effect size of 0.19, the criteria for evaluating the validity and selection of resources with an effect size of 0.38, and the channels through which information is obtained with an effect size of 0.33. Finally, this research demonstrates that virtual education has a 0.34 effect on the information-seeking behavior of postgraduate students.
Conclusion: The results indicate that virtual education not only allows students to utilize various resources but also facilitates the simultaneous and asynchronous comparison of these resources. By employing modern information systems, students can assess the originality of their sources. This approach significantly minimizes the likelihood of acquiring information and knowledge through trial and error, while also creating diverse methods for accessing resources and obtaining information. Consequently, students gain comprehensive access to resources and information from available channels.

Keywords

References

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Sciences and Techniques of Information Management
Volume 10, Issue 4
November 2024
Pages 137-166

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