The development of enhanced information retrieval strategies in undergraduates through the application of learning theory: an experimental study

Abstract

In this paper, I describe an experimental study on the efficacy of concept-based instruction in developing information retrieval skills in undergraduates. The subjects were 254 first-year undergraduates at the University of Canberra, Australia. The study followed the experimental design of a pre-test/post-test control group. The experimental group was taught information retrieval from electronic databases using teaching strategies grounded in learning theory. Results suggested that in the teaching of information retrieval, a conceptbased approach is significantly more effective than a traditional, skillsdemonstration approach. This effectiveness was both in terms of increasing knowledge of the search process and in terms of improving search outcomes. These results are of particular interest, given the vast amount of information to which students now have access through electronic databases and internet sources – and the corresponding need to be able to locate material relevant to an information requirement.