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The main purpose of this study was to investigate collaborative information seeking behaviour of student groups in Vocational Education Training institutions in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the information needs of student groups, assessing tools that student groups use to seek information during CIS, assessing factors fostering CIS among student groups; as well as investigating barriers VET student groups encounter during collaborative information seeking. The study was conducted in five regions in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, utilising observation and interview as the major methods of collecting data, and Focus Group Discussions. Data collected was qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis technique. Findings revealed that students at VETs had a wide range of information needs, based on the type of course as well as the type of activities that they performed. The lack of such information adversely affected accomplishment of their assigned group tasks. Findings revealed that student groups relied mostly on search engines as their search tools, and group members, teachers, colleagues outside the team, textbooks, internet, as their sources of information. With regards to information sharing tools, respondents relied upon face to face conversations, telephone calls, text messages, and social media. The findings, however, revealed non-use of collaborative information sharing tools. Findings revealed various factors that foster CIS, such as complexity of information needs, lack of awareness, lack of expertise, lack of experience, the need to save time, and the need to minimise costs. Findings revealed a number of barriers VET student groups encounter during CIS, such as lack of computer laboratories or connected computers, lack of tools and systems to support collaborative information seeking, lack of libraries or support from librarians, limited awareness and search skills. This study recommends establishment of libraries with computers connected to the Internet, awareness creation on collaborative search tools, and acquisition of software supportive of CIS. |
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