Reducing Library Anxiety in the Information Seeking Behavior Of First Year College Students

Author

Elizabeth Jean Brumfield, Prairie View A&M UniversityFollow

Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Discipline

Education Leadership

Abstract

This study explored the use of interactive technology to reduce library anxiety in the information seeking behavior of first year students enrolled in a historically Black college or university. Based on the research focus, the following questions were formulated: What are the determinants for reducing library anxiety in first year college students’ information seeking behavior? Related questions were formatted to test the hypotheses and for data collection:

(1) Can interactive applications included as part of the information retrieval process decrease library anxiety?

(2) Can familiarity, as measured by a pre and post survey, decrease library anxiety? Interactive applications may include virtual and augmented reality, online chat, games and artificial intelligence technology. These are relatively new forms of technology used in education, and research indicates that these technologies promote immersive experiences that can contribute to learning. The research hypothesized that these technologies may also increase familiarity of the library and the related resources, which may reduce library anxiety. This research may provide vital information to higher education administrators and librarians to ensure that all students receive adequate resources to find information needed for their classes and that barriers that prevent progress in student’s education are removed.

Keywords: information seeking behavior, library anxiety, virtual reality, augmented reality

Committee Chair/Advisor

Pamela Barber-Freeman

Committee Co-Chair:

Douglas Hermond

Committee Member

Arthur Petterway

Committee Member

Sherri Frizell

Publisher

Prairie View A&M University

Rights

Date of Digitization

7/20/2023

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Brumfield, E. J. (2023). Reducing Library Anxiety in the Information Seeking Behavior Of First Year College Students. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-dissertations/20