Information Retrieval Practices among LIS Postgraduate Students in South Indian Universities

Abstract

This study examines the use of search engines and search strategies among LIS postgraduate students in South Indian universities. It explores students' frequency of Internet use, preferences for search and meta-search engines, and the application of advanced search techniques. A structured questionnaire was administered to 525 LIS postgraduate students across 31 state and central universities in South India during the 2022-2023 academic year. Out of these, 493 completed questionnaires were collected. The data were analyzed using SPSS.The results reveal that most students access the Internet daily (93.1%), with Google being the most frequently used search engine (90.5%). Boolean logic is the most used search technique (79.5%), and most LIS postgraduates are female. The findings underscore the importance of universities offering structured training, including webinars and workshops on advanced search strategies, as well as developing accessible learning resources to bridge knowledge gaps. Enhancing these competencies can
significantly improve students' academic performance and research effectiveness in the digital age.