Analysis of Academic Search Behavior among Postgraduate Students at Misurata University in the Digital Information Environment

Abstract

The pursuit of knowledge is one of the fundamental practices undertaken by individuals to adapt to the needs of their environment. Successive developments in the fields of the Internet and technology have significantly altered information-seeking behavior, particularly among postgraduate students, increasing their reliance on electronic sources. This shift necessitates closer examination to understand and analyze such behavior. The present study aims to analyze the academic search behavior of postgraduate students at Misurata University within the digital environment and to identify the challenges they face. Additionally, it investigates the relationship between search behavior and students’ scientific productivity. The study was based on a theoretical framework comprising four dimensions of search behavior: information seeking, evaluation, management, and research collaboration, with a fifth dimension measuring scientific productivity. A questionnaire was employed as the data collection tool. Findings revealed a high level of information-seeking skills and good awareness of credibility and currency standards among the sample. However, partial weakness was observed in the use of information management tools, alongside a notable decline in collaboration and academic achievement. Correlation analysis indicated a strong relationship between research collaboration and scientific productivity (0.66), underscoring the importance of academic cooperation, while a weaker relationship was found between information-seeking skills and productivity (0.40). Paid sources and software emerged as major obstacles for postgraduate students in the digital environment. The study recommends organizing specialized workshops to develop and enhance information management and sharing skills to improve students’ research productivity, as well as encouraging the university to provide access to academic resources.