Describes Kuhlthau model of search process and implications for library media specialists. In a comparative study, college students were found to hold perceptions which better matched the Kuhlthau model than those they held in high school, particularly regarding forming a focus and experiencing a process in time. Case studies of four students reveal an internal view of library research, with comparisons between high school and four years of college. In study of 150 high school students, high and middle achievers were found to experience the process described in Kuhlthau model. Low achievers need further study.
Findings indicate impact of process on outcome in student papers and warrant further research.
Full report of study and presentation at American Association of School Librarians Research Forum, New Orleans, July 1988. Carol C. Kuhlthau, Betty J. Turock, Mary W. George, and Robert J. Belvin, Facilitating Information Seeking Through Cognitive Modeling of the Search Process. U.S. Department of Education, Library Research and Demonstration Grant G00872032387, Available in hard copy, 1989. Full report on comparative study of information search process of 385 school, academic, and public library users. Paper, which received 1989 Jesse Shera Award for most outstanding research paper, describes study confirming Kuhlthau model of the search process with users in three types of libraries.