purpose: the aim of this paper is to develop a standardized and reliable measurement tool for assessing information-seeking behavior of undergraduate students.

design/methodology/approach: based on information literacy and information-seeking behavior theories, expert advice and students’interview, items of undergraduates’informationseeking behavior indicators were selected. with the analysis of homogeneity reliability, item analysis and factor analysis, this study constructs an assessment system to evaluate reliability and validity of the scale.

findings: the information-seeking behavior scale for undergraduates has divided undergraduates’ information-seeking behavior into seven dimensions, which include 46 items. the reliability analysis of cronbach’s α was 0.910, and the coefficient of split-half reliability was 0.817. the results of factor analysis showed that kaiser-meyer-olkin (kmo) was 0.864, which indicates 55.536% of the total variation could be explained by the above seven dimensions.

research limitations: due to a small sample size and limited sample distribution, further research need be conducted in an expanded sample size in order to explore the application scope of this evaluation system; in addition, the stability of the scale also need be confirmed.

practical implications: the paper sets up an information-seeking behavior evaluation system for undergraduates and explores the characteristics of their information-seeking behavior. this study provides guidance for the development of future information literacy education and the improvement of the information literacy level of undergraduates.

originality/value: an information-seeking behavior scale for undergraduates has been developed, which comprehensively covers information need, information source, information evaluation, information retrieval, information management, information utilization and information morality. the scale is proved to have good reliability, validity, popularity and discrimination that it is qualified to be an assessment tool of information-seeking behavior for chinese undergraduates.

purpose: the aim of this paper is to develop a standardized and reliable measurement tool for assessing information-seeking behavior of undergraduate students.

design/methodology/approach: based on information literacy and information-seeking behavior theories, expert advice and students’interview, items of undergraduates’informationseeking behavior indicators were selected. with the analysis of homogeneity reliability, item analysis and factor analysis, this study constructs an assessment system to evaluate reliability and validity of the scale.

findings: the information-seeking behavior scale for undergraduates has divided undergraduates’ information-seeking behavior into seven dimensions, which include 46 items. the reliability analysis of cronbach’s α was 0.910, and the coefficient of split-half reliability was 0.817. the results of factor analysis showed that kaiser-meyer-olkin (kmo) was 0.864, which indicates 55.536% of the total variation could be explained by the above seven dimensions.

research limitations: due to a small sample size and limited sample distribution, further research need be conducted in an expanded sample size in order to explore the application scope of this evaluation system; in addition, the stability of the scale also need be confirmed.

practical implications: the paper sets up an information-seeking behavior evaluation system for undergraduates and explores the characteristics of their information-seeking behavior. this study provides guidance for the development of future information literacy education and the improvement of the information literacy level of undergraduates.

originality/value: an information-seeking behavior scale for undergraduates has been developed, which comprehensively covers information need, information source, information evaluation, information retrieval, information management, information utilization and information morality. the scale is proved to have good reliability, validity, popularity and discrimination that it is qualified to be an assessment tool of information-seeking behavior for chinese undergraduates.