Full Description
Metacognition is a set of active mental processes that allows users to monitor, regulate, and direct their personal cognitive strategies. Improving Student Information Search traces the impact of a tutorial on education graduate students' problem-solving in online research databases. The tutorial centres on idea tactics developed by Bates that represent metacognitive strategies designed to improve information search outcomes. The first half of the book explores the role of metacognition in problem-solving, especially for education graduate students. It also discusses the use of metacognitive scaffolds for improving students' problem-solving. The second half of the book presents the mixed method study, including the development of the tutorial, its impact on seven graduate students' search behaviour and outcomes, and suggestions for adapting the tutorial for other users.
Contents
List of figures and tables
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgments
About the authors
Summary of the study
1: Overview of the study
Abstract
Introduction
Background - metacognition in information search
Need
Problem solving, literacy in research databases, and tutorial-based library instruction
Research questions
2: Information research and the search process
Abstract
Introduction
Early research
Dervin's methodology, theory, and framework
Information-seeking behavior
Information retrieval researchers
Summary of information search research
3: Research on metacognition
Abstract
Introduction
Early research
Metacognitive instruction
Summary of research on metacognition
4: Problem solving and metacognition
Abstract
Introduction
Problem solving and memory
Problem solving and metacognition
Metacognitive experiences and problem solving
Metacognitive knowledge and problem solving
Metacognition and problem solving on the web
Metacognitive training and problem solving
Idea tactics tutorial
Summary of problem solving and metacognition
5: Information problem solving and metacognitive skills
Abstract
Introduction
Evolution of information problem solving and metacognition research
Metacognition in information problem-solving research from the EU
Improving students' information problem solving
Idea tactics tutorial
Summary of information problem solving and metacognition
6: Education graduate students' information-seeking skills
Abstract
Introduction
Early research
Education graduate students' research skills in the millennium
Importance of instruction to provide "new skills, new knowledge”
Library training for education graduate students
Idea tactics tutorial
Summary of education graduate students' information behavior
7: Education students' information seeking to support problem solving
Abstract
Introduction
Education students' metacognition in information problem solving in hypermedia systems
Metacognition in group problem solving
Education students' lack of computing skills
Metacognition compensates for problem-solving deficiencies
Idea tactics tutorial
Summary of research on education students' information seeking to support problem solving
8: Metacognitive skills and online search behavior
Abstract
Introduction
Difficulties with online search
Need for skills instruction
Importance of mental models in searching information systems
Metacognitive techniques in online search
Role of metacognition
Idea tactics tutorial
Summary of research on metacognitive skills in online search behavior
9: Promoting metacognition
Abstract
Introduction
Metacognition instruction
Metacognitive scaffolds
Metacognitive scaffolds to support information problem solving
Prompts
Importance of matching prompt type to individuals' learning needs
Idea tactics tutorial
Summary of research on promoting metacognition
10: The metacognitive scaffold: the idea tactics tutorial
Abstract
Introduction
Research that informed the scaffold's creation
Bates' idea tactics
The tutorial's tactics
Database search techniques
Creating the tutorial
Pilot studies
The tutorial
Resembles an instructional agent
Summary of the idea tactics tutorial
11: Methodology: the think-aloud problem-solving activity and post-activity interview
Abstract
Introduction
Mixed methods research
Guiding theory
Think-aloud protocol
Task-based usability study
Research instrument
The participants
The activity
Follow-up interviews
Summary of the problem-solving activity and interview
12: Methodology: the data analysis
Abstract
Introduction
Concurrent triangulation design
Legitimization and validity
Reliability
Transcripts of problem-solving activity using prefigured codes
Transcripts of problem-solving activity and post-search interviews using open coding schemes
QSR NVivo
Participant searches
IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS)
Summary of the data analysis
13: The indexes
Abstract
Introduction
Bates and testing the tactics
Relevance
Relevance Index
Narrowing and broadening search strategies
Number Index
Evaluation
Evaluation Index
Strategy
Strategy Index
Summary of the impact of the Indexes on participants' problem solving
14: Overall effect of tutorial on search outcomes
Abstract
Introduction
Research questions
Research question 1: What search techniques did participants demonstrate in their initial search?
Research question 2: What general attributes were common among participants in their use of the tutorial?
Research question 3: What search techniques did participants demonstrate in their final searches?
Research question 4: How did the tutorial affect the outcome of the problem-solving activity?
Search obstacles and participants' satisfaction level
Additional issues revealed in the post-search interview and during the think-aloud
Summary of the tutorial's impact on participants' problem solving
15: The tutorial and idea generation and mental pattern breaking
Abstract
Introduction
Bates' idea tactics
Idea generation and mental pattern breaking
Database search strategies
Overcoming obstacles
Tutorial enhances search outcomes
Summary of the idea tactics' role in idea generation and mental pattern breaking
16: The impact of the tutorial on participants' metacognitive behaviors in problem solving
Abstract
Introduction
Metacognitive instruction
Participants' adoption of idea tactic's metacognitive behaviors in problem solving
Participants' increased awareness of metacognitive abilities while problem solving
Education students' use of metacognitive skills
Summary of the role of the tutorial in fostering metacognitive behaviors
17: Metacognition and information literacy
Abstract
Introduction
Early support
Research on metacognition and information literacy
Information literacy metacognition instruction
Summary of information literacy and metacognition
18: Utilizing the tutorial
Abstract
Introduction
Importance of the tutorial as a reference tool
Optimizing use of the tutorial
Adapting the tutorial
Employing the tutorial in different learning environments
Tutorial improvements
Summary of utilizing the tutorial
19: Conclusion and recommendations for future studies
Abstract
Appendix A: Search ratings
Appendix B: Scatter plot diagrams and bar graphs
References
Index
