Information seeking behaviour of Bar course students of Law Development Centre

Abstract

The study investigated the information-seeking behaviours of Bar course students at LDC, Kampala Centre. The study was based on four objectives: To establish the information needs of the Bar Course Students at LDC; to establish their information seeking behaviour; to examine the factors that influence or shape their information seeking behavior and to suggest solutions to the challenges they experienced during information seeking. The study used the Leckie, Pettigrew, & Sylvain (1996) information-seeking model of professionals as the theoretical framework. However, it was necessary to overlay it with a conceptual framework (CF). The study employed a descriptive research design, utilizing a case study. Under this study design, the study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research methods for all categories of the study population. A sample size of 184 students and 9 library staff participated in the study. Quantitative data is analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the results are summarized in tables and charts giving the frequencies and percentages. Thematic analysis is used to examine qualitative data to identify common patterns. The findings revealed that the respondents’ main reason for seeking information was to become more knowledgeable about legal issues. Most respondents favored traditional information sources and services such as textbooks, books on legal issues, and the law library. The majority preferred to use both print and electronic sources. Major challenges included lack of enough time, limited reading space, and inadequate skills to search for e-information. The recommendations include: integration of ICTs into legal information provision due to the ever emerging and rapid expansion of use of technology by a substantial number of Ugandan scholars; employment of research assistants with basic knowledge of law and the necessary experience in library information. Finally, scanning and availing the old Ugandan cases on online legal platforms can be significant since they are heavily relied on during the Bar Course, yet most of them are inaccessible online.