The Effects of Concept Mapping on the Searching Behavior of Tenth-Grade Students

A qualitative study addressed the effect of concept mapping on the searching behavior of tenthgrade students engaged in research projects based on their instruction in a classroom-based genetics unit. The setting was an automated library of a private American school in Europe. Ten biology students were chosen by purposive sampling. Selection criteria, monitored by user profiles, included student age, computer experience, native language, grades, and test scores. One group used concept mapping, while the other received the same classroom instruction without mapping. Data on searching behavior were collected using think-alouds, interviews, debriefing, and journals. Calculations based on Bayesian statistics and the Fano measure from information theory were triangulated with qualitative analysis of data. While the entire research process, as defined by Kuhlthau’s model, was examined to include stages from pre-focus formulation to writing the research paper, this article centers on the information search. Fano’s information measures showed there was a greater probability that concept mappers will use print rather than electronic means, that they will search in SIRS rather than the OPAC, and that in electronic searching they will use subject heading rather than keyword. In print, as opposed to electronic searching, measures showed mappers applied a larger number of search terms, employed opening moves, re-formulations, search operations, and relevancy judgments more often and executed more depth than breadth searching. In all cases probability measured at least half a nat (one nat equals 2.718), indicating chances were approaching twice as likely that searchers exhibiting these characteristics in print indexes will be mappers. Larger differences between the groups emerged in electronic searching, where mappers spent less time. Quantitative data verified mappers were more thorough and efficient, reformulating by shifting synonyms and moving from general to specific search terms and terminating searches to read rather than when they depleted their search terms. Stronger focus formulation emerged as the most important determinant of searching behavior. Further research is recommended to replicate the study with a larger sample, using information theory as an alternative to classical statistics in hybrid qualitative-quantitative studies.