The effect of multiple sources of information on mental focus among Egyptian university students: an inductive study to reduce information overload phenomenon

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70000/cj.2024.73.623

Keywords:

information resources, digital information resources, information overload, information literacy

Abstract

The study reviews the effect of multiple sources of information on the mental focus of Egyptian university students, as the researcher tried to identify and understand the phenomenon of information overload and develop methodological ways to deal with it better. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher relied on the descriptive analytical research method through surveying and extrapolating studies and research related to the subject of the study. The researcher used a questionnaire directed to Egyptian university students to identify students’ information behaviours and measure the degree of information dispersion among them.

One of the results of the study is that the more information sources students use, the higher their levels of distraction, which negatively affects academic achievement and increases the feeling of information overload. The study also indicates that students find it difficult to identify reliable sources and process the huge amount of information available. The study also presented the most important techniques and methods that can be used to improve concentration and control information overload.

Among the most important recommendations called for by the study is the importance of enhancing critical and analytical reading skills among students, in addition to encouraging them to benefit from reliable and high-quality sources. The study also recommended providing academic and psychological support to students to improve their tolerance of academic pressures and increase their level of concentration and academic performance.

References

Akbar, A., Jabbar, A., Saleem, Q. U. I. A., & Ashiq, M. (2024). Access and use of digital information resources by students with vision impairment: Challenges, prospects and expected role of libraries. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 71(2), 189–207.

Allen, D. (2011a). Information behavior and decision making in time‐constrained practice: A dual‐processing perspective. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 62(11), 2165–2181.

Allen, D. (2011b). Information behavior and decision making in time‐constrained practice: A dual‐processing perspective. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 62(11), 2165–2181.

Aslett, K., Sanderson, Z., Godel, W., Persily, N., Nagler, J., & Tucker, J. A. (2024). Online searches to evaluate misinformation can increase its perceived veracity. Nature, 625(7995), 548–556.

Bawden, D., & Robinson, L. (2009). The dark side of information: overload, anxiety and other paradoxes and pathologies. Journal of Information Science, 35(2), 180–191.

Belabbes, M. A., Ruthven, I., Moshfeghi, Y., & Rasmussen Pennington, D. (2023). Information overload: a concept analysis. Journal of Documentation, 79(1), 144–159.

Bink, A. B. (2020). The Effect of Information Overload on Knowledge Recall and Related Cognitions for an Educational Program Based on the Mental Health First Aid Model.

Boswell, C. (2012). How information scarcity influences the policy agenda: Evidence from UK immigration policy. Governance, 25(3), 367–389.

Bussing, R., & Gary, F. A. (2022). mental Health as the basis of All Health. A Population Health Approach to Health Disparities for Nurses: Care of Vulnerable Populations.

Dai, B., Ali, A., & Wang, H. (2020). Exploring information avoidance intention of social media users: A cognition–affect–conation perspective. Internet Research, 30(5), 1455–1478.

Dean, D., & Webb, C. (2011). Recovering from information overload. Mckinsey Quarterly, 1(1), 80–88.

Division, U. N. S. (2016). GDP and its breakdown at current prices in US Dollars. United Nations New York.

Draosi, M. (2006). Mafhum al-tawazun wa-al-istikrar fi al-fikr al-iqtisadi, maʿ ishara khassa li-al-tawazun al-iqtisadi al-ʿamm li-al-Jazaʾir. Majallat Maʿhad al-ʿUlum al-Iqtisadiyya, vol. 10(no. 1), p.p. 135–154. https://doi.org/https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-981271

Feroz, H. M. B., Zulfiqar, S., Noor, S., & Huo, C. (2022). Examining multiple engagements and their impact on students’ knowledge acquisition: The moderating role of information overload. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 14(1), 366–393.

Kao, G. Y.-M., & Peng, C.-C. (2015). A multi-source book review system for reducing information overload and accommodating individual styles. Library Hi Tech, 33(3), 310–328.

Koltay, T. (2011). Information overload, information architecture and digital literacy. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 38(1), 33–35.

Lauri, L., Virkus, S., & Heidmets, M. (2021). Information cultures and strategies for coping with information overload: Case of Estonian higher education institutions. Journal of Documentation, 77(2), 518–541.

Mansur. (2023). Taʾthir tasafuh tatbiq TikTok ʿala darajat al-intibah wa-al-tarkiz lada al-shabab al-Suʿudi. Al-Majalla al-Misriyya li-Buhuth al-Raʾy al-ʿAmm, vol. 22(no. 1), 345–381.

Nicholas, J., Daw, N. D., & Shohamy, D. (2022). Uncertainty alters the balance between incremental learning and episodic memory. Elife, 11, e81679.

Plescan, M., & Nestian, A. (2010). Resource Scarcity in the Context of Access to Information in the Knowledge Economy and its Impact on Technological Progresses.

Poirier, L., & Robinson, L. (2014). Informational balance: slow principles in the theory and practice of information behaviour. Journal of Documentation, 70(4), 687–707.

Reitz, J. M. (2017). ODLIS Online dictionary for library and information science. https://odlis.abc-clio.com/odlis_i.html

Roser, M., Ritchie, H., & Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2020). Internet. Published online at OurWorldInData. org.

Savolainen, R. (2007). Filtering and withdrawing strategies for coping with information overload in everyday contexts. Journal of Information Science, 33(5), 611–621.

Savolainen, R. (2015). Cognitive barriers to information seeking: A conceptual analysis. Journal of Information Science, 41(5), 613–623.

Stephen, E. (2024). Perceiving Balance: Exploring Work-Life Balance in School Administrators Through Resource Drain Theory.

Thullen, E. H. (2023). From Information Overload to Knowledge Graphs: An Automatic Information Process Model.

VandenBos, G. R. (2007). APA dictionary of psychology. American Psychological Association.

White, R. A. (2023a). A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of History Doctoral Candidates’ Experiences with Technology and Information Overload. Liberty University.

White, R. A. (2023b). A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of History Doctoral Candidates’ Experiences with Technology and Information Overload. Liberty University.

Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Safy, M. (2024). The effect of multiple sources of information on mental focus among Egyptian university students: an inductive study to reduce information overload phenomenon. Cybrarians Journal, (73), 135–177. https://doi.org/10.70000/cj.2024.73.623