Journal of Knowledge & Management Communication
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 1

Influence of Cognitive Styles on Web Search Pattern: A Study among Students of Universities in Kerala

1Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut, Malappuram-673635, Kerala, India

2Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Calicut, Malappuram-673635, Kerala, India

*E-mail id: dr.haneefa@gmail.com

**rahilakp.825@gmail.com

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cognitive styles on the Web search pattern of the students of universities in Kerala. The study employed the Web search pattern scale and group embedded figure test for data collection from a representative sample of 450 students. It is revealed that there exists a significant gender difference in the influence of the different levels of cognitive styles of the students on their Web search pattern. The results of this study will be useful to design and develop more user-oriented intelligent interfaces for the Web.

Keywords

Internet, World Wide Web, Information retrieval, Cognitive styles, Web search pattern, Students, Universities