Not really, according to this new report, commissioned by JISC and the British Library. (Warning – the cover art is a little scary!)
According to the press release, not only is the “Google Generation” a “myth,” but they may be corrupting other researchers, too!
The report by the CIBER research team at University College London claims that, although young people demonstrate an ease and familiarity with computers, they rely on the most basic search tools and do not possess the critical and analytical skills to asses the information that they find on the web. The report … also shows that research-behaviour traits that are commonly associated with younger users – impatience in search and navigation, and zero tolerance for any delay in satisfying their information needs – are now the norm for all age-groups, from younger pupils and undergraduates through to professors.