Metacognition is a set of active mental processes that allows users to monitor, regulate, and direct their personal cognitive strategies. Improving Student Information Search traces the impact of a tutorial on education graduate students’ problem-solving in online research databases. The tutorial centres on idea tactics developed by Bates that represent metacognitive strategies designed to improve information search outcomes. The first half of the book explores the role of metacognition in problem-solving, especially for education graduate students. It also discusses the use of metacognitive scaffolds for improving students’ problem-solving. The second half of the book presents the mixed method study, including the development of the tutorial, its impact on seven graduate students’ search behaviour and outcomes, and suggestions for adapting the tutorial for other users.

Table of Contents:
List of figures and tables Figures Tables Acknowledgments About the authors Summary of the study 1: Overview of the study Abstract Introduction Background – metacognition in information search Need Problem solving, literacy in research databases, and tutorial-based library instruction Research questions 2: Information research and the search process Abstract Introduction Early research Dervin’s methodology, theory, and framework Information-seeking behavior Information retrieval researchers Summary of information search research 3: Research on metacognition Abstract Introduction Early research Metacognitive instruction Summary of research on metacognition 4: Problem solving and metacognition Abstract Introduction Problem solving and memory Problem solving and metacognition Metacognitive experiences and problem solving Metacognitive knowledge and problem solving Metacognition and problem solving on the web Metacognitive training and problem solving Idea tactics tutorial Summary of problem solving and metacognition 5: Information problem solving and metacognitive skills Abstract Introduction Evolution of information problem solving and metacognition research Metacognition in information problem-solving research from the EU Improving students’ information problem solving Idea tactics tutorial Summary of information problem solving and metacognition 6: Education graduate students’ information-seeking skills Abstract Introduction Early research Education graduate students’ research skills in the millennium Importance of instruction to provide “new skills, new knowledge” Library training for education graduate students Idea tactics tutorial Summary of education graduate students’ information behavior 7: Education students’ information seeking to support problem solving Abstract Introduction Education students’ metacognition in information problem solving in hypermedia systems Metacognition in group problem solving Education students’ lack of computing skills Metacognition compensates for problem-solving deficiencies Idea tactics tutorial Summary of research on education students’ information seeking to support problem solving 8: Metacognitive skills and online search behavior Abstract Introduction Difficulties with online search Need for skills instruction Importance of mental models in searching information systems Metacognitive techniques in online search Role of metacognition Idea tactics tutorial Summary of research on metacognitive skills in online search behavior 9: Promoting metacognition Abstract Introduction Metacognition instruction Metacognitive scaffolds Metacognitive scaffolds to support information problem solving Prompts Importance of matching prompt type to individuals’ learning needs Idea tactics tutorial Summary of research on promoting metacognition 10: The metacognitive scaffold: the idea tactics tutorial Abstract Introduction Research that informed the scaffold’s creation Bates’ idea tactics The tutorial’s tactics Database search techniques Creating the tutorial Pilot studies The tutorial Resembles an instructional agent Summary of the idea tactics tutorial 11: Methodology: the think-aloud problem-solving activity and post-activity interview Abstract Introduction Mixed methods research Guiding theory Think-aloud protocol Task-based usability study Research instrument The participants The activity Follow-up interviews Summary of the problem-solving activity and interview 12: Methodology: the data analysis Abstract Introduction Concurrent triangulation design Legitimization and validity Reliability Transcripts of problem-solving activity using prefigured codes Transcripts of problem-solving activity and post-search interviews using open coding schemes QSR NVivo Participant searches IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Summary of the data analysis 13: The indexes Abstract Introduction Bates and testing the tactics Relevance Relevance Index Narrowing and broadening search strategies Number Index Evaluation Evaluation Index Strategy Strategy Index Summary of the impact of the Indexes on participants’ problem solving 14: Overall effect of tutorial on search outcomes Abstract Introduction Research questions Research question 1: What search techniques did participants demonstrate in their initial search? Research question 2: What general attributes were common among participants in their use of the tutorial? Research question 3: What search techniques did participants demonstrate in their final searches? Research question 4: How did the tutorial affect the outcome of the problem-solving activity? Search obstacles and participants’ satisfaction level Additional issues revealed in the post-search interview and during the think-aloud Summary of the tutorial’s impact on participants’ problem solving 15: The tutorial and idea generation and mental pattern breaking Abstract Introduction Bates’ idea tactics Idea generation and mental pattern breaking Database search strategies Overcoming obstacles Tutorial enhances search outcomes Summary of the idea tactics’ role in idea generation and mental pattern breaking 16: The impact of the tutorial on participants’ metacognitive behaviors in problem solving Abstract Introduction Metacognitive instruction Participants’ adoption of idea tactic’s metacognitive behaviors in problem solving Participants’ increased awareness of metacognitive abilities while problem solving Education students’ use of metacognitive skills Summary of the role of the tutorial in fostering metacognitive behaviors 17: Metacognition and information literacy Abstract Introduction Early support Research on metacognition and information literacy Information literacy metacognition instruction Summary of information literacy and metacognition 18: Utilizing the tutorial Abstract Introduction Importance of the tutorial as a reference tool Optimizing use of the tutorial Adapting the tutorial Employing the tutorial in different learning environments Tutorial improvements Summary of utilizing the tutorial 19: Conclusion and recommendations for future studies Abstract Appendix A: Search ratings Appendix B: Scatter plot diagrams and bar graphs References Index