Initial findings from this three year study that started in 2009 are:

• Not dramatic differences between Gen Y students and other age groups 
• Indications that –Gen Y students slightly less likely to turn to library staff (especially subject librarians) for help
• Gen Y more likely to rely on supervisors for recommendations on research resources and technology support
• Gen Y more likely to turn to other students for help and support using technology

Other findings are:

Gen Y students are

• Conservative  and risk averse in research behaviour e.g. choice of information sources, awareness of the need for authority and authenticity
• Embrace technology readily and use it intuitively BUT
• Sceptical about the inherent merits of technology and do not equate ease of access with quality of resources

Gen Y students are willing to put in effort to learn to use new tools if the following factors are evident:   

• tools complement, not challenge ways of working (essentially traditional and guided by their supervisors); 
• pay back for effort is clear in terms of their research; 
• support in adopting new applications is readily available, especially from peers or supervisors