Week 7 - How College Students Search Article

How College Students Search for Information in the Digital Age 

1. What surprises you about the strategies digital age students use as they conduct research for course assignments?

As I read through the article I found that it made since concerning the findings. When I completed all of my Action Research Projects for my undergraduate course work I first turned to the library databases as I do for much of my course related research. Anytime I am doing personal research I usually refer to Google and search through their listings. These are the same results the study found. I also know that I have rarely asked a librarian for any help, I have relied on the help of the computer and internet first then confronted my instructor for further information. The results were not really surprising at all. 

2. How accurately do the findings from this study reflect your own research strategies?

As I indicated above there is little difference between the findings of this study and my own research strategies. 

3. This study provides a detailed description of the parameters of research assignments typical required for academia. How does it differ from the kinds of research people do in the workplace?

In academics students are mainly researching information in order to create a paper or presentation of their findings. For the most part workplace research reflects trying to solve problems or answer questions - at times it to could be for the purpose of presenting information. For the most part research in the workplace is thoroughly read and analyzed to solve a problem or create a project. The research is used for the purpose of learning rather than to reproduce the information in an original format. 

4. Do you think the recommendations to improve research process for college students will better prepare students for the world outside of school?

I think that the recommendations that the study provides are very thought out. If the research the students is required to do requires analysis and interpretation of the information rather than a reproduction of the information then it will help better prepare students for the same type of research that they will conduct in the workplace. I also feel that it is very important for librarians to specifically communicate with faculty to close the gap between the services that they offer. I believe that all of the recommendations the study suggest could provide more successful research techniques for college students.