Investigating the practices of student researchers: patterns of use and criteria for use of internet and library sources

Abstract

For college writers, a key element of academic literacy is the ability to locate, select, evaluate, synthesize, and cite outside sources in their own writing. This study surveyed 543 college students to identify (a) their preferred criteria when evaluating Internet-based and library-based sources and (b) types of instruction students typically receive in evaluating those sources. Students writing research reports (63% of students) generally ranked most highly sources that were easy to use and easy to find, whether those sources were library-based or Internet-based ( r = 0.700, p < .01). Nearly 60% of all students received library training, which came most frequently from high school teachers. Nearly 29% of all students received Internet training, which came most frequently from student peers.