Students’ Strategies for Information Search in a Digital Environment
Students’ Strategies for Information Search in a Digital Environment

Author(s): Saulė Jokūbauskienė, Daiva Siudikienė
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Education, Media studies, Communication studies, Higher Education
Published by: Факултет по журналистика и масова комуникация, Софийски университет „Св. Кл. Охридски”
Keywords: informational search strategies; students, information and communication technologies
Summary/Abstract: Contemporary society, especially those people who have grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media, experiences a vastly different information environment than previous generations. As information and communication increase in modern society, it is essential to acknowledge that new patterns of information behavior are emerging, which are important to research and understand. New tools (e.g., artificial intelligence, algorithmic suggestions, personalized feeds) are changing the way young people receive and choose information. Previous research has shown that students often come across useful resources through social media, peer recommendations, or online communities as well. It is also worth noting that the multimedia style is more appealing to young people, as online resources come in various formats, including articles, videos, podcasts, and interactive tutorials. The strategies described in previous research use a mix of behavioral, procedural, and metacognitive approaches. Digital literacy, structured training, and supportive environments (parental or academic) correlate with the use of more varied and critical search strategies. A range of contextual factors, including digital literacy and formal training in higher education and daily life, shape young people's information searching strategies. Understanding their information-seeking strategies will help develop preventive measures and educational models. The study presents an empirical survey of students conducted between 2023 and 2025 to assess their information search strategies in a digital environment, determining their effectiveness, application characteristics, and emerging challenges.

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