The relationship between metacognitive awareness and online information searching strategies

Abstract

The aim of this study is to look into the relationship between undergraduate students' metacognitive awareness (MA) and their online information searching strategies (OISS). Mixed method was used in the study. The participants involved 419 undergraduate students. The data in the study were collected using OISS Inventory, MA Inventory and student interview forms. The results indicate that students' level of MA and their OISS are developed. The results of correlation analysis reveal that there is a positive and significant level of relationship between OISS and MA variables at a medium level. When the qualitative findings are examined, it is seen that in planning process students mostly determine key words, and in monitoring and evaluation processes they compare the accessed information with searching goals. In the discussion section of the study, how MA could be used to improve students' OISS is discussed.