Abstract:

The aim ofthis work is to understand the personal experiences ofDepartment ofInformation and Records Management IRM students engaged in information search processes, to determine whether there are misconceptions about the processes, and ifso to find out which misconceptions exist. The research is based on the model ofKuhlthau's six-stagedInformation Search Process BAS . The data were obtained using a semi-structured interview technique with 13 Ankara University IRM students using purposeful sampling. The data were analysed using the content analysis method. It was determined that the students had misconceptions related to the BAS's stages of “topic selection”, “information collection”, “search closure ”, alongside “determination ofresearch methods ” and “research paper ” which were classified into the “others ” category. This evidence indicates that misconceptions can prevent students fromperforming effectively and efficiently in their information searchprocesses. The results of this research should make an important contribution to library staff, trainers and information retrieval system designers

Keywords: