INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF POST GRADUATE STUDENTS OF KOHAT UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Purpose: This study investigated the information needs and seeking behaviour, hurdles to information seeking of Post Graduate students of Kohat University of Science and Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It focused on the information requirements of the Post Graduate students of the university, the pattern they use for seeking information, the difficulties they faced during seeking information. Design/Methodology/approach: This study used a quantitative approach, adapting a survey questionnaire method for data collection. The population of this study was composed of M.Phil. and PhD students of 2019 and 2020 in the faculties of Physical and Numerical Sciences, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Social Sciences of KUST. The sample size was 260. Students were selected randomly. The study response rate was 77% and data were analyzed through SPSS (22 version). Key findings: The study revealed that Most students\u27 information needs were for study and research activities, new knowledge, and for career development. To fulfil these needs, the scholars use various sources and resources. The sources they used for information needs were Journal Articles, Textbooks, and Research Projects commonly. For the information-seeking purpose, often, students preferred books that have some importance. The other factors that played an essential role in selecting material were topical relevance, Novelty, Recommended by colleagues, and publisher’s reputation. Most of the students thought that Book Exhibitions, Open Access systems in the Library, and the Display of new arrivals could enhance the students\u27 information-seeking. The main problems during seeking information were faced by them were shortage of printed information resources. Overall they wanted more facilities, enhancement in the library collection and better services. Delimitations of the study: This study has not included 1) BS and M.Sc. Students of KUST; 2) The colleges and institutions affiliated with KUST; 3) This study was delimited only to the Post Graduate students of KUST. Practical implication(s): The findings of the study motivate the policy makers, authorities of KUST to restructure the information literacy programs to fulfil the scholars’ information needs. It may inform the policy makers to know the difficulties faced by scholars during information seeking. Contribution to the knowledge: No significant work has been done on the students\u27 Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour at KUST. The Study analyzed the Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Post Graduate students. It brought a clear picture of information needs and seeking behaviour of scholars and addressed the problems faced by them during seeking process