Abstract:
Information search behavior is deeply influenced by the individual's knowledge and skills, namely
personal cognitive ability. This study focuses on individual students' information search activities in
the process of library use.
A survey of students inquiring their attributes and information search activities was conducted at the
University of Colombo in 2007. The collected results of questions about twelve information incidents
were put through factor analysis to reveal four factors and then cluster analysis based on the factor
scores identified four student groups. Significant differences were found among each of the groups,
which make up the students patterns of library use. Subjects, academic years, frequency and purposes
of library use further confirmed those differences. These patterns should be taken into consideration
in designing library systems.
