Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management

Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management

Accidental Discovery of Information in Using of Social Networks and Online Communication, A Case Study: Shiraz University Students

Authors
Zahed Bigdeli
Farzaneh Afifian
10.35050/JIPM010.2018.077
Abstract
Purpose: This research aims to investigate accidental discovery of information in using of social networks and online communication in Shiraz University.

Methodology: This is an applied research that uses descriptive analytical techniques. In order to determine the validity of the questionnaire the comments  of a number of experts and professors were asked,  and by using Cronbach’s Alfa its reliability(./88) was determined. The research population consisted of 3434 students of the faculty of Humanities and Engineering.. A sample of  346  students were randomly selected for the research, based on the Krejcie-Morgan sampling table. The collected data were imported to SPSS version 21,  and analyzed based on descriptive statistics.

Findings: Results show that the respondents were using resources more than average. They also  know  Social Networks and Online Communication a useful tool for purposeful gathering and accidental exposure to information. The majority of respondents use information gathered accidentally in their various activities, and store or share it.

Conclusion: Social technologies and online communication are useful tools to achieve the targeted information and also to obtain untargeted information. Accidental discovery is an information gathering method equal to targeted information-seeking. Obtained information by accident  is useful in  the sharing of knowledge. It can also change the user path, guide him towards a new idea and assist in solving problems.
Keywords
Accidental discovery of information
Information encountering
Online communication networks
Serendipity
Social networks
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  • Receive Date 10 December 2022
  • Revise Date 14 February 2023