Information retrieval on internet of the Faculty of Liberal Arts’ Students, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon

Abstract

The objective of this survey research were to study information retrieval on internet and and problems of the Faculty of Liberal Arts’ Students, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon. The stratified random sampling was 270 first semester undergraduate students of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon that were studying in academic year 2012. The research tool was questionnaire about information retrieval on internet of the Faculty of Liberal Arts’Students, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon. Statistical research were percentage, median, and standard deviation. The results showed that: 1. Each week, most students retrieved information on internet more than 6 times per week and took average 1-2 hours each time. Aims of information retrieval were entertainment and recreation. Field of Tourism was the most retrieval i.e. tourist attraction, recreational area, hotels, festival season, and travel. The most information need format was text and pictures. Most students knew information sources on internet from search engines i.e. Google, MSN Search etc. The first ranking of search engines was Google, second were Bing and Sanook. 2. For information search methods, most students printed required terms into search box by using keywords. Besides, most students never used an advanced search. The most techniques of information retrieval was required results limit by specifying URL or websites. The students had the most selective method of information lists acquired from information retrieved results of search engine by viewing from information title that used for search engine. Whenever students did not seek required information, they would retrieved continuously until they were successful by changing new search terms. 3. The most problems of students’ information retrieval were not to meet the required information, and not to know search methods and search terms selection.