Information Search Strategies among University Students: A Narrative Review of Search Behaviors, Challenges, and Information Literacy
Keywords:
Information search strategy, Information literacy, Online Search techniques, Information overload, Information RetrievalAbstract
This study aims to examine the information retrieval techniques and search strategies employed by university students in academic contexts. A narrative review approach based on secondary data analysis was adopted. Relevant literature was retrieved from major academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ERIC, and LISTA, covering studies published between 2000 and 2025. A total of 50 studies that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed and synthesized. The review focused on three major themes: (i) information search strategies employed by university students, (ii) challenges encountered during information-seeking processes, and (iii) strategies for improving students' utilization of web searches for academic research. The findings indicate that students predominantly rely on general search engines such as Google because of their convenience and accessibility, while demonstrating limited use of advanced search techniques, including Boolean operators, phrase searching, and query reformulation. Furthermore, students exhibit limited awareness and utilization of scholarly databases such as Scopus, JSTOR, and institutional library resources. The review identified information overload, inadequate information literacy skills, and difficulties in evaluating source credibility as major barriers to effective information retrieval. This study highlights the critical role of information literacy instruction and recommends integrating advanced search training and digital information literacy programs into higher education curricula to enhance students' research competencies and search effectiveness. As the study relies exclusively on secondary data, future research should incorporate primary data to provide more comprehensive insights into university students' information-searching behaviors and self-efficacy
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