Need for Cognition and Its Effect on Students' Information Behavior

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Heidar Mokhtari ¹
• Mohammadreza Davarpanah ²

¹ Ph.D Student in Library and Information Science,Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and LIS faculty member of Payemenoor University of Golestan.Iran

² Professor,Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22067/riis.v2i1.11306

Abstract

Purpose:This survey aimed to investigate the effect of students' need for cognition (NFC) on their information behavior (IB) based on their demographic variables.
Method: Out of 19965 students enrolled in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad during the academic year of 2010-2011, 364 students were selected by using stratified random sampling method. They were asked to complete the "need for cognition scale" and the "information behavior questionnaire".

Findings: Findings showed that the subjects' NFC rates were significantly different based on their academic areas and levels. There was a significant relationship between the subjects' NFC and IB. The students' information behavior was significantly different based on their NFC levels. As a consequence, students' NFC has an effect on their IB.

Keywords

• Students
• information behavior
• need for cognition

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