Examining Student Research Choices and Processes in a Disintermediated Searching Environment

Students today perform research in a disintermediated environment, which often allows them to struggle directly with the process of selecting research tools and choosing scholarly sources. The authors conducted a qualitative study with twenty students, using structured observations to ascertain the processes students use to select databases and choose sources for a typical undergraduate research assignment outside of the classroom. Based on these observations, the authors developed three personas depicting different approaches to the research process. The authors make recommendations for improving students’ success in selecting research tools in a disintermediated environment.