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Article
Publication date: 28 November 2019

Elizabeth Malabanan and Arlyn Bayeng

Electronic resources are becoming an integral part of the academe. It has revolutionized the idea of research, making information more accessible. This study aims to determine the…

Abstract

Purpose

Electronic resources are becoming an integral part of the academe. It has revolutionized the idea of research, making information more accessible. This study aims to determine the level of utilization and satisfaction on EBSCOhost database among UPHSL students and faculty members. It analyzes the effect of the respondents’ user type, gender and education to the usability and satisfaction of users to EBSCOhost.

Design/methodology/approach

The study, which used a survey questionnaire as a primary tool to gather data, had 300 respondents who willingly participated from the faculty and student body of the University of Perpetual Help System – Laguna.

Findings

Results revealed that majority of the respondents were found to be female, aging 20-25 with a college degree or taking their degree. The results of the study showed that the students and faculty members of UPHSL are moderately satisfied of the services of EBSCOhost and users are only moderately using it. In addition, the study revealed that the respondents have the same level of satisfaction and utilization of EBSCOhost regardless of their user type, age, gender and educational attainment. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between the respondents’ level of satisfaction and level of utilization of EBSCOhost. The higher is the respondents’ level of satisfaction, the higher is their level of utilization of EBSCOhost.

Originality/value

Subscription to online databases is an integral part of the academic library. However, in developing countries, subscription can take a lot from the overall library budget. EBSCOhost, as one of the popular research databases, is among the plethora of databases that libraries subscribe to. This paper analyzes the level utilization and satisfaction of users to EBSCOhost. The analysis presented in this research can provide insight on the usability of among developing countries.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 35 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 October 2018

Basiru Adetomiwa and Andrew Oshiotse Okwilagwe

The quality of teaching, research and community service of lecturers coupled with their publication in any university system may depend on the quality of the electronic database

Abstract

Purpose

The quality of teaching, research and community service of lecturers coupled with their publication in any university system may depend on the quality of the electronic database they use. Electronic database awareness use is very important to the teaching, research and community service activities of lecturers in the Nigerian university system. It has been established that lack of awareness is the main factor militating against effective use of electronic databases. The study aims to investigate awareness and use of electronic databases as determinants of research productivity of academic staff in private universities in South-West Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive survey research design of the correlational type was adopted. Out of the 27 private universities established and approved between 1999 and 2012 in South-West Nigeria, 21 were purposively covered in the study. The stratified random sampling technique based on probability proportionate to size method was adopted in selecting 1,656 (60 per cent) academic staff from the population size of 2,760. The main research instrument used to collect data for the study was questionnaire. Data generated were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Spearman’s rank was used to test hypothesis at 0.05 level of confidence.

Findings

There was a significant positive correlation between awareness and utilisation of electronic databases (r = 0.690; p < 0.05).The result of the analysis showed that there was average level of awareness of electronic databases among academic staff in private universities in South-West, Nigeria.

Research Limitations/Implications

The study selected 21 out of the 27 private universities established and approved between 1999 and 2012 in South-West, Nigeria.

Originality/value

Based on the findings, the paper recommends increased investment in ICT facilities at the surveyed universities in line with the emerging digital trend in universities around the world to raise the level of awareness of electronic databases utilisation by academic staff in research.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. 67 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 1997

Lisa O’Malley, Maurice Patterson and Martin Evans

The competitive nature of the UK retail environment in the 1990s places ever increasing importance on information as a vital resource. The need for pertinent information is not…

2566

Abstract

The competitive nature of the UK retail environment in the 1990s places ever increasing importance on information as a vital resource. The need for pertinent information is not confined to decisions regarding location and catchment analysis, but also encompasses issues such as category management, merchandising, marketing communications and relationship marketing. This need for information, it might be presumed, could be met through the utilization of marketing databases, but there is an apparent lack of evidence relating to the extent of database utilization in this context. Explores the development of database and geographic information systems (GIS) as an aid to strategic retail decision making and reports on an empirical research programme exploring the extent of such applications. Although the findings suggest widespread employment of databases by UK multiples, there is clear evidence of a lack of integration at a strategic level.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 25 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 December 2018

Muhammad Rafi, Zheng JianMing and Khurshid Ahmad

Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand…

2708

Abstract

Purpose

Digital library database resources have a significant impact on stimulating the research culture in higher education. The use of digital databases makes it possible to understand intellectual growth, research productivity, planning and identification of user information needs. Evaluating the effectiveness of user database resource utilization and research, the purpose of this study is to assist management in developing an excellent academic policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study establishes a quantitative method to analyze the productivity of academic research using digital databases. The secondary data extracted from the databases of 52 universities provided by Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the literature published on the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science. The statistical technique simple linear regression was used to analyze the data for understanding the impact of independent variables the “digital databases” on the dependent variable “research productivity”.

Findings

The result of the coefficient of multiple determination, R-squared, R2 0.679, indicated 67 per cent impact of the predictor on the outcome variable. However, the standardized coefficient Beta 0.824 revealed 82 per cent impact of the individual predictor on the outcome variable. Overall, the result of linear regression showed a significant effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Besides, the result of correlation and the strength of association between the database resources and the academic publication was significant (p < 0.005).

Practical implications

This research work is a supportive tool for managing gaps and promoting the development of necessary measures to develop strategies and solutions to create a better academic environment. The ultimate use of standard database resources can foster higher academic research to develop innovative ideas and improve researchers’ cognitive abilities.

Originality/value

From Pakistan’s point of view, this study is the first one that gives insight into the intellectual growth of young researchers in higher education. The study provides first-hand information on the use of database resources and their significant impact on the productivity of academic research.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 47 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

Siriginidi Subba Rao

Presents briefly the impact of information technology in information management and the major activities to be considered for improving information accessibility in India…

1625

Abstract

Presents briefly the impact of information technology in information management and the major activities to be considered for improving information accessibility in India, including database production and publication by employing centralised input and centralised processing and decentralised input and centralised processing, and utilisation of existing international databases by way of leasing or through online access. Discusses the Indian scenario and information availability with various departments/agencies for database production. Lists the Indian database service providers with their services from government and corporate agencies. Concludes that the database sector is growing very fast in spite of some factors hindering its growth. The industry is still in a nascent stage even though providers are rushing to provide information.

Details

Library Review, vol. 49 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 October 2019

Muhammad Rafi, Zheng JianMing and Khurshid Ahmad

Digital literacy has become a widely studied topic for connecting people, participation in government and public affairs. It encourages library professionals to train students and…

4405

Abstract

Purpose

Digital literacy has become a widely studied topic for connecting people, participation in government and public affairs. It encourages library professionals to train students and effectively acquire, preserve and disseminate knowledge. Academic libraries involve using digital technology improved the students’ level of digital literacy and technological skills. This paper aims to understand the students’ technological competence in using database resources and searching for online information. In addition, to evaluate the training contents and designated instructors on digital literacy education, the study also focuses on digitally exposed students’ learning behavior, the library management and students’ academic interaction on new technological trends.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative method for which primary data were collected from university students using a structured research questionnaire. Through targeted random sampling techniques, 1,500 printed questionnaires were distributed among students, and 1,266 (84.4%) responses were received. The authors applied descriptive statistics to analyze the demographic information of male and female students. The statistical technique Chi-square test (χ2) was applied using SPSS to determine the association between variables. Moreover, Bonferroni correction for the new a value [modified = 0.05/number of possible comparisons/analysis for each question shown in Tables (II-IX)] was also used to avoid a family-wise error.

Findings

The results inferred a strong association between students’ technological skill with using digital tools, utilization of database resources and browsing networked information on the Web. The association between universities in terms of recruiting designated instructors on digital literacy education, introducing ICT based curriculum and the association between library management in maintaining a regular training program on digital literacy demonstrated a negative association. Besides, the findings disclosed that student’s digital exposure is not the forcing factor in developing technological competence, but found to be a more encouraging factor. It was also concluded that library technological involvement significantly improves student technology-based learning skills.

Practical implications

The results obtained after the analyzed data may help library management in providing long-term strategy for improving digital literacy education and training for students in the effective utilization of technology for better academic performance and social integration.

Originality/value

The study was based on quantitative methods using a questionnaire. Extensive database coverage and digital literacy skills based on coach input can improve student performance and academic quality.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. 47 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2014

Manorama Tripathi and Sunil Kumar

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the use of e-resources at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), those are being offered through the University Grant Commission …

1394

Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to describe the use of e-resources at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), those are being offered through the University Grant Commission – Information and Library Network (UGC-INFONET) consortium. Statistical techniques are applied on usage reports generated by e-resources vendors/publishers to understand trend and seasonality in usages of e-resources in academic libraries. The researchers evaluated gain in popularity of e-resources and drew a comparison in use of various databases of e-resources in terms of volume of downloads over a period of three years. The study would help in designing an instrument to evaluate utilization of e-resources. The cross comparison of databases helps in identifying e-resources, which have been optimally used.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used quantitative approach to express utilization of e-resources in terms of number of downloads of full text research papers from Project Muse, Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, Springer Links, Taylor and Francis and JSTOR databases, accessible through the UGC-INFONET consortium. The investigation is based on secondary data of usage statistics made available by the UGC-INFONET consortium. The descriptive statistics techniques have been used in the initial phase of the investigation to understand trend in utilization of e-resources and examine robustness of various statistical tests to identify most appropriate tests for the latter phase of the investigation. The robustness analysis has been recommended for graphical and non-parametric tests for advanced investigation, in the latter phase of the study. The with-in cohort analysis techniques investigates numbers of monthly downloads from each database for a period of three years, i.e. 2008-2010 to explain seasonality in volume of downloads of e-resources.

Findings

e-Resources have been gaining popularity gradually in academic libraries; this trend is in tune with gaining of popularity of web-based intellectual resources in other sectors. The study established need of library consortium for sharing resources and subscription fee. The investigation proves significant association between numbers of downloads of e-resources from different databases in the same period; thus gain in popularity of one database encourages readers to explore other databases. The study indicates seasonality effect in the usages of e-resources in academic libraries. This seasonality effect is contemporary to the academic calendar. There are large numbers of downloads just before the examinations, which are held twice in a year and negligible number of downloads during and around long summer study breaks. Thus, the bandwidth rendered to the university is not consistently used during the academic session. The coverage of databases in terms of disciplines and numbers of journals varies to great extent. There is overlapping in the coverage of databases. The strength of students and their demands for scholarly works also vary across disciplines, thus cross comparison of numbers of downloads from databases has little meaning until impact of these three parameters are not controlled in the investigation of utilization of e-resources.

Originality/value

The literature shows that no study has been carried out for the use of e-resources by researchers of JNU.

Details

Program, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 January 2023

Osagie Oseghale

The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of digital information literacy (DIL) skill and use of electronic resources by humanities graduate students at Kenneth Dike…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of digital information literacy (DIL) skill and use of electronic resources by humanities graduate students at Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the survey research design and 200 graduate students from the 12 departments that made up the Faculty of Arts in the University of Ibadan participated in the study. A self-devised structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. A pilot questionnaire was first sent to a small random sample of the respondents, with feedback used to fine-tune the final questionnaire. Respondents were requested to rate their level of proficiency in the use of digital devices, web-based tasks, information finding, evaluation and utilisation of available e-resources and challenges encountered. Ethical consideration of informed consent, institutional permission, confidentiality and anonymity of participants was strictly followed. Data collected were analysed and result presented using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentage, mean and inferential statistics such as regression analysis and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient were used to test the research question and hypothesis, respectively.

Findings

Humanities graduate students at the University of Ibadan possessed high level of DIL skills in respect of digital devices usage, web-based tasks, information finding and evaluation, but low in e-resources utilisation. This study identified inadequate knowledge of e-resources availability, irregular internet access, inadequate training on e-resources utilisation, inadequate staff assistance, lack of continuity in e-resources subscription and paucity of local contents in the e-resources as main challenges encountered by graduate students in the use of e-resources. To ensure that those who can most benefit from e-resources utilisation are not further marginalised, this study recommends that active steps should be taken to increase e-resources awareness, regular internet access, training/support, continuity of e-resources subscription and increased local content so that all may benefit from the opportunities of the information age.

Originality/value

This paper has demonstrated that DIL skills can enhance effective utilisation of e-resources if users have adequate knowledge of e-resources availability, regular internet access, adequate training and assistance on e-resources utilisation, continuity in database subscription and adequate local contents e-resources.

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2013

Leila Nemati Anaraki and Fahimeh Babalhavaeji

The present paper aims to compare the awareness and ability of medical students in using the electronic resources of the Integrated Digital Library (IDL) portal of Iran.

1787

Abstract

Purpose

The present paper aims to compare the awareness and ability of medical students in using the electronic resources of the Integrated Digital Library (IDL) portal of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research involves a comparative applied survey. The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire circulated among 300 medical students sampled from three major Iranian universities. A stratified random sampling method was used. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, average and so on) have been used to analyze the data using the Microsoft Excel software.

Findings

The awareness and utilization level of students in the three universities were lower than the average and those who are not aware of the existence of the IDL portal used general search engines to meet their information needs. The respondents admitted that their lack of awareness about the IDL was their most significant problem. Among the investigated universities, students of Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS) used the End Note, Elsevier, Thomson, Scopus and Proquest databases most. All the students expressed the effect of the IDL on the academic activities as much as 64 percent in Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), 72 percent in Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS) and 66 percent in Shahid Beheshti Medical University (SBMU). The mean scores for utilization of searching strategies were 2.43, 2.89 and 2.87, respectively, for IUMS, TUMS and SBMU.

Originality/value

A few attempts have been made to investigate the awareness, use and research ability of students in universities but this is the first of its kind to compare universities within the Integrated Digital Library. The paper will be useful for those in decision‐making roles and provides insight for the people responsible for IT application. It is hoped that this paper will assist administrators of the university libraries in developing a more complete understanding of students' electronic information needs and barriers.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 31 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 31 August 2001

Irina Farquhar, Alan Sorkin, Kent Summers and Earl Weir

We study changes in age-specific diabetes-related mortality and annual health care utilization. We find that half of the estimated 16% increase of diabetic mortality falls within…

Abstract

We study changes in age-specific diabetes-related mortality and annual health care utilization. We find that half of the estimated 16% increase of diabetic mortality falls within employable age groups. We estimate that disease combination-specific increase in case fatality has resulted in premature diabetic mortality costing $3.2 billion annually. The estimated annual direct cost of treating high-risk diabetics reaches $36 billion, of which Medicare and Other Federal Programs compensate 54%. Respiratory conditions among diabetics comprise the same proportion of high-risk diabetics as do the disease combinations including coronary heart diseases. Treating of general diabetic conditions has become more efficient as indicated by the estimated declines in per unit health care costs.

Details

Investing in Health: The Social and Economic Benefits of Health Care Innovation
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-070-8

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