Information Seeking Behavior of the Final Year Special Degree Undergraduates: A Case Study at the Department of History and Archaeology in University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Abstract

Information plays an important role in human life today. It plays a vital role in the learning, teaching, and research process of university academic staff and undergraduates. This study examines the information-seeking behavior of the History and Archaeology final year special degree undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ). The sample size of ten people was chosen from 40 people, through the purposive sampling method. Interviews were the main qualitative data instrument used to collect data. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the data acquired. The findings of the research were that History and Archaeology final year special degree undergraduates prefer field visits for their information requirements. The undergraduates were dependent on their lecturer's recommendations including print and electronic resources, field visits, indirect personal contacts, and libraries. In seeking information, they face several barriers such as languages issues, lack of books, the accuracy of the information and, selfish behaviors of the students. The library should acquire more copies of books on History and Archaeology subject disciplines and emphasize the need for more user awareness programs for the productive use of the library.