Professors’ influence on students’ choice of format for their research materials: Are there differences between the academic disciplines?

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine professors’ influence on university students' choice when it comes to the type and format of research materials the students use, as well as to determine possible differences between humanities and sociology students with regard to the materials they use in their master theses. The results of the previous research of younger generations’ information behaviour indicate their preference for digital sources. However, a study of humanities students indicates their inclination toward print sources. This leads to a possible contradiction – the net generation information behaviour and usage of print sources. The transition of the information source format used, from print to digital, also differs for each discipline. The results of this research indicate that information behaviour and information literacy competencies of students should be observed through the prism of disciplinary differences and also professors’ expectations regarding the materials used by the students.