Analysis of the effectiveness of library instruction among remote users of online databases

This study examined search strategies of students who remotely accessed library proprietary databases in order to determine whether or not library instruction influenced search behavior. Transactional log files were captured, analyzed, and merged with student demographic information for students enrolled in English 102, spring semester 2001, at Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, Arizona. Cross-tabulation analysis and Chi-square tests were used to assess statistical associations and strengths between library instruction and Boolean usage, type or errors, number of search terms, and use of subject searching in relation to gender and ethnicity.; Results of this study showed that students tended to use simple searches and that the incidence of students using Boolean logic was much higher than previously reported in the literature. No significant differences were found between library instruction and Boolean usage in relation to gender or ethnicity. Significant differences were found for terminology errors and results approached significance for use of natural language queries by students who did not receive library instruction. This study also revealed a strong relationship between library instruction and final grade for gender. Women who received library instruction in this study earned better grades than those who did not participate in instruction.