Google vs. the Library (Part III): Assessing the Quality of Sources Found by Undergraduates

Helen Georgas

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Library Science and Information Literacy Information Retrieval and Search Behavior Web and Library Services

Abstract

This study assesses and compares the quality of sources found by undergraduate students when doing research using both Google and a library (federated) search tool. Thirty undergraduates were asked to find four sources (one book, two articles, and one additional source of their choosing) related to a selected research topic. Students used both Google and a federated search (resource discovery) tool to find material they believed to be relevant. Each source was evaluated for topic relevance, authority, appropriateness, and date, and assigned a total quality score. Results showed that the books found via Google were slightly higher quality than those uncovered via the federated search tool. The articles and additional sources students found via the federated search tool were slightly to moderately higher quality, respectively, than those discovered via Google.

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References

2004Information-Seeking Behavior in Generation Y Students: Motivation, Critical Thinking, and Learning Theory 2005Student Searching Behavior and the Web: Use of Academic Resources and Google 2007What is enough? Satisficing information needs 2001The effect of the Web on undergraduate citation behavior 1996-1999 2011Threshold Concepts and Information Literacy 2004Student Bibliographies Improve When Professors Provide Enforceable Guidelines for Citations 1986Effectiveness of Course-Integrated Bibliographic Instruction in Improving Coursework.2014Google vs. the Library (Part II): Student Search Patterns and Behaviors when Using Google and a Federated Search Tool

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