Document Type : .

Authors

• soraya ziaei ¹
• Faezeh Delghandi ²
• solmaz noori ³

¹ Associate Professor; Department of Information Science and Knowledge; Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor; Department of Information Science and Knowledge; Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

³ PhD.students, Payame Noor university,tehran,iran.

Abstract

This study examines the reciprocal impact of "censorship and restrictions" and "freedom of access" on students’ information-seeking behavior in virtual environments, drawing on Wilson’s information behavior theory and Floridi’s information ethics. A qualitative approach using grounded theory was adopted, with data analyzed from 23 semi-structured interviews with humanities faculty members. Findings indicate that freedom of access often leads to reliance on unethical sources and misinformation, while a lack of moral awareness contributes to literary misconduct and incorrect citations. An interpretive theoretical analysis yields a conceptual model emphasizing the integration of ethical values at each stage of information seeking. The study concludes that bolstering open access infrastructures and fostering ethically-oriented information literacy can enhance research quality and elevate educational standards in universities. This research offers a framework for promoting ethical information practices in academic contexts.

Keywords

• Information ethics
• Information-seeking behavior
• censorship
• Freedom of access to information
• Virtual environment
• Students