Natural Language Thesaurus: A Survey of Student Research Skills and Research Tool Preferences‪.‬

Over the past ten years there has been an increase in various research tools such as databases, online journals, and the internet. Students experience difficulties using databases, library catalogues, online journals and the internet because of the lack of consistency in terminology, recognition of appropriate search terms and various methods of interrogation and this creates an inefficient and time wasting experience. In order to find better ways of helping students, the University of Canberra Library conducted a pilot study to investigate whether an online contemporary natural language thesaurus would assist students with their research. 'Natural language' is 'any naturally evolved language as opposed to artificial languages constructed.' (1) Accordingly, in order to evaluate the need for the contemporary natural language thesaurus, it was first necessary to evaluate student knowledge of library and database terminologies and research tool usage and skill. Student Research Strategies