Generation Y - How do you search?

A three-year research study into the information-seeking behaviour of students born between 1982 and 1994 has painted a picture of typical 'Generation Y' researcher.

• heavy users of university's library collections, primarily online but also in person (varies across subjects)
• regularly use inter-library lending services
• had limited access to computers and the internet before secondary school but now are confident information-seekers.  Arts and humanities students find Google generates unhelpful overload of research resources and science and maths students prefer subject-related databases
• rely on journals, both physical and electronic, often beyond the institutional subscriptions
• do not like formal research skills training, especially delivered in groups
• readily embrace technology and applications if the new tools complement existing ways of working, clearly benefits our research and support is readily available.

Does this sound like you?  Does it sound like nonsense?

Both Adele and I do/have done research projects alongside their day-to-day jobs so we can sympathise with a lot of the headaches and priorities that you have.  We can give you tailored help and advice about getting the most of the Digital Library and Web2.0 gizmos that can help manage your research at Uni, at home and on the move.  Just send us an email or telephone to arrange a date, time and place for the chat.  We can even meet you in Costas - the wireless reception in there is great!