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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 22 June 2023

Javaid Ahmad Wagay and Saurabh Dutta

This paper focuses on the use of e-resources by research scholars and post-graduate students at Kashmir University. The main aim is to determine the use of e-resources, users…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper focuses on the use of e-resources by research scholars and post-graduate students at Kashmir University. The main aim is to determine the use of e-resources, users skills in handling e-resources and the purpose of their use. Further, this paper aims to highlight the problems faced by research scholars and post-graduate students in accessing e-resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire circulated among 250 research scholars, both (M.Phil./Ph.D.) and post-graduate students, from different departments of Kashmir University, and the response rate was 80%. Random sample method was used for the selection of respondents and interacting with them. The responses received from the research scholars to 14 questions are presented in the form of tables.

Findings

Major findings of the study reveal that the majority of the students reported using electronic journal resources for various purposes including working on assignments, research proposal writing, literature review writing, research report writing, current awareness and leisurely exploration of ongoing scientific debates through peer-reviewed papers. The challenges encountered in the use of electronic journal resources include a power outage, inadequate bandwidth, slow download speed, inability to access the resources from home, lack of training, lack of awareness, limited access to computers and difficulty in searching. The paper concludes that electronic resources have become an integral part of the information needs of research scholars’ post-graduate students at Kashmir University. Further, it finds that e-resources can be good substitutes for conventional resources, if the access is fast, and more computer terminals are installed to provide fast access to e-resources. Finally, recommendations for improving the use of electronic journal resources are provided.

Practical implications

The paper restrains the study exclusively to use of e-resources by the research scholars and post-graduate students of Kashmir University.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the use of e-resources by research scholars and post-graduate students of Kashmir University and makes some constructive suggestions for the improvement of electronic resources and services. This is the first time an effort has been made to assess the use of electronic resources by post-graduate students at Kashmir University. The study could be used to assess the post-graduate students’ needs for electronic resources at the Kashmir University and other users in higher learning institutions.

Details

Information Discovery and Delivery, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-6247

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 January 2023

Paul Samwel Muneja

This study aims to evaluate Web-based tools that are potentially used by universities and college libraries to market e-resources in Tanzania.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate Web-based tools that are potentially used by universities and college libraries to market e-resources in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

This study evaluated Web-based tools that are potentially used to market e-resources in libraries in Tanzania. A sample of 52 universities and colleges was approved by Tanzania Commission for Universities and was purposively selected for this study. The evaluation was conducted with an established checklist to evaluate the websites with a view to identifying Web-based tools, which are potentially useful in marketing e-resources.

Findings

The finding of this study indicates that most libraries have websites linked to their institutional websites. The finding has revealed that social media are mostly used by public universities to market e-resources. However, only one university is using WhatsApp to communicate with patrons. The findings show that the majority of public university libraries display a list of e-resources on their websites. Moreover, the displayed e-resources of most websites are not up to date, and some of them are irrelevant. Also, most public universities provide guidelines on how to use the subscribed e-resources as opposed to their counterpart.

Originality/value

The study on the evaluation of Web-based e-resources marketing tools is new in Tanzania. The finding of this study will trigger efforts to adjust the way libraries market their e-resources online.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 December 2022

Vandana, Ruchi Jain Garg, Vinod Kumar and Alok Kumar Singh

Present research analyzes and evaluates the impact of e-resources usage factors (training modes, awareness, influencers, utilitarian benefits and ease of use) towards satisfaction…

Abstract

Purpose

Present research analyzes and evaluates the impact of e-resources usage factors (training modes, awareness, influencers, utilitarian benefits and ease of use) towards satisfaction and intention to use these e-resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for present study were collected from postgraduate students of Delhi (India) and 248 valid responses were received through the survey. After reliability and validity tests, structural relationships between variables were studied.

Findings

The present study revealed that all five factors significantly affected satisfaction and intention to use e-resources. However, influencers were found to have the highest impact on satisfaction and intention to use e-resources.

Originality/value

The present study is a maiden attempt to explore the impact of e-resources usage factors on satisfaction and intention to use by postgraduate students at management schools in Delhi, India.

Details

Performance Measurement and Metrics, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1467-8047

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: 28 January 2020

Muzamil Mushtaq and Ariba Tausif

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the e-resource collection development practices of the engineering college libraries of Aligarh. The research includes budgeting…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the e-resource collection development practices of the engineering college libraries of Aligarh. The research includes budgeting, collection development policy, collection evaluation, sources of funds, modes of procurement, pricing models and other aspects related to collection development activity.

Design/methodology/approach

The descriptive method was used for conducting the study, in which a well-structured questionnaire was administered followed by interview of the librarians of six engineering college libraries under study.

Findings

It was found that these colleges are much more interested in focusing on building a strong e-resource collection in their libraries. During the past few years, the budget has also been increased in majority of libraries for the acquisition of e-resources. The study found that the major factors affecting the selection of electronic resources (e-resources) in these colleges are quality, subject coverage, license agreement and vendor support. It was also revealed that majority of libraries lack proper collection development policy, especially for e-resources. The study suggested that these libraries should build their collections keeping in mind the different areas of specializations of engineering studies and the contemporary changes in the field.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is restricted exclusively to the study of collection development process of e-resources and the librarians of six major engineering colleges of Aligarh as respondents.

Practical implications

This study has great importance for the librarians of the similar engineering colleges in India. The findings and suggestions of the study can help not only in understanding the engineering college librarianship and its current trends but can also help library professionals who are facing similar challenges in their libraries.

Originality/value

The present study is about the e-resource collection development practices followed in engineering colleges of Aligarh, which can serve as a pedestal for future studies in other academic and special libraries in India and elsewhere.

Details

Collection and Curation, vol. 39 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9326

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 February 2009

Sudharma Haridasan and Majid Khan

The purpose of this paper is to present the fact that electronic resources are a significant part of library collections. A large amount is invested in the development and…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the fact that electronic resources are a significant part of library collections. A large amount is invested in the development and management of e‐resources in the libraries. The study aims to identify the acceptance of e‐resources in the National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC) library in New Delhi, India and determine their usage, performance, degree of user satisfaction, and barriers faced in the access of e‐resources. It also attempts to find out the users' views about computer literacy among the social scientists.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the impact and use of e‐resources by social scientists pursuing research in the NASSDOC library. The data were collected from the entire population of social scientists at NASSDOC through a questionnaire accompanied by personal interview. This was further analysed using statistical techniques and percentages to arrive at qualitative and quantitative results.

Findings

The major findings of the study indicate that respondents are aware of the e‐resources (such as e‐books, e‐journals, e‐encyclopedias, e‐theses, CD‐ROM databases, e‐mail, internet and the OPAC). Large numbers of research scholars and faculty members are using these e‐resources for their research work. Many faculty members strongly agreed with the necessity for computer and internet literacy to access information. A majority of users were satisfied with the e‐resources available at the NASSDOC library.

Originality/value

This is one of the first surveys conducted to identify the need and importance of e‐resources in a specific Indian library (NASSDOC) as well as the requirement for information literacy to enhance the use of available resources in the social sciences. It should pave the way to showing the value of such e‐resources for scholarly research in India.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2018

Lan Ye, Wei Yang and Weiming Lin

This paper aims to share some experiences and practical activities related to the use and management of usage data in the Digital Resource Acquisition Alliance of Chinese Academic…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to share some experiences and practical activities related to the use and management of usage data in the Digital Resource Acquisition Alliance of Chinese Academic Libraries (DRAA) as a reference for library consortia engaged in providing usage statistics services of e-resources to member libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review and online survey are used to analyze the research and practice of e-resources usage statistics conducted internationally. The case of DRAA is introduced to present how DRAA develops usage statistics services and promotes the implementation of the Standardized Usage Statistics Harvesting Initiative (SUSHI) to deliver usage statistics to member libraries. Future developments and enhancements are also described.

Findings

The main actions taken by DRAA to develop usage statistics services are as follows: development of the DRAA Usage Statistics Portal to provide a single point of access to usage statistics from participating publishers on behalf of member libraries; development of a SUSHI client, taking the lead in promoting SUSHI implementation to automatically obtain usage statistics in Chinese academic libraries; establishment of a working group on usage statistics and the China Academic Library and Information System/DRAA Standards and Recommended Practices Research Task Group to form a long-term mechanism for monitoring and gathering usage statistics; and strengthening of the understanding and application of standards and best practices for libraries and vendors in China. Scheduled enhancements in the future include a deep analysis and utilization of usage statistics, the promotion of Counting Online Usage of NeTworked Electronic Resources and SUSHI to Chinese academic resource publishers and raising awareness about normalizing usage statistics.

Originality/value

This paper has pertinence and wider implications for library consortia engaged in providing e-resources usage statistics services to member libraries.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 36 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2011

Sunil Bhatt and Madan Singh Rana

The main objective of this paper is to analyse and evaluate the use of e‐resources by the engineering academics of Rajasthan state. It aims to consider the various factors of…

1314

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to analyse and evaluate the use of e‐resources by the engineering academics of Rajasthan state. It aims to consider the various factors of e‐resources usage such as purposes, impact, importance, problems, acceptance, and satisfaction with e‐resources.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method of research was applied to ascertain the present status of use of e‐resources. The survey was conducted with the help of a structured questionnaire followed by interview as and where it was felt necessary. Two formats of questionnaire were prepared; first, a printed format and second, an electronic format using Google Docs spreadsheet. The data so collected were analysed and interpreted with the help of MS Excel.

Findings

The study finds many aspects of e‐resources use among engineering academics of Rajasthan. It reveals that academic staff were using many types of e‐resources. They were also using the latest sources of information like e‐groups, virtual conferences. Using the e‐resources, their academic/professional competency also improved. The teaching methodology also involved the e‐resources uses and the students' ability was also affected in a positive manner by this methodology. Some problems were also explored in using e‐resources. The majority of users were quite satisfied with using e‐resources.

Originality/value

The study was an attempt to evaluate the use of e‐resources by academic staff of engineering colleges of Rajasthan. Results from the study are encouraging and it is hoped that the findings will provide meaning and a useful platform for further research as well as usability among engineering academics will also be improved.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 29 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2011

Chetan Sharma, Lakhpat Singh and Ritu Sharma

This paper seeks to emphasise the use of e‐resources by teachers and research scholars in the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) and the National Bureau of Animal Genetic…

1268

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to emphasise the use of e‐resources by teachers and research scholars in the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) and the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). The paper aims at particularly identifying the needs of the users as well as the problems faced by them while using e‐resources and also their level of satisfaction in getting the essential information on electronic means.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted through a questionnaire circulated among 140 teachers and research scholars of NDRI and NBAGR. The response rate was an encouraging 90.71 per cent.

Findings

The majority of the respondents are well aware of the various e‐resources in their respective field and confidently use them regularly. E‐Journals are the most preferred e‐resource among the respondents. They seek the help of e‐resources to perform their routine exercises, i.e. teaching, research, entertainment and communication. Some major problems faced by the respondents are slow speed of internet, difficulty in retrieving contents and poorly designed web sites.

Research limitations/implications

The study is restricted to the teachers and research scholars of NDRI and NBAGR and elaborates on the fact that those e‐resources are being used up to the optimum limit. The study will assist the existing organizations in the field to understand the requirement of electronic resources and stimulate the path to revision of the same.

Originality/value

This is the first study on this topic in India, which has been carried out to discover the importance of e‐resources in the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) and the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). It will support the approach and importance of such e‐resources and their usage for intellectual investigation in the agriculture community.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 29 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 September 2018

Vinod Kumar, Vandana and D.K. Batra

This paper aims to investigate the usage pattern of electronic resources (e-resources) among management graduates. The respondents were asked about the types of e-resources they…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the usage pattern of electronic resources (e-resources) among management graduates. The respondents were asked about the types of e-resources they used, who their influencers were, their preferred place for surfing, the frequency of use, purpose for which they used e-resources, its benefits and the problems they faced while using e-resources. The findings of the study will help in enhancing the usage of e-resources among students who opt for management courses.

Design/methodology/approach

This descriptive research was conducted in Nagpur, Maharashtra (India). Data collected from 150 management students through purposive sampling were analyzed through descriptive statistics, and the responses were presented in tabular form.

Findings

The investigation reveals that students are well aware of e-resources and consider them to be very useful for their academic performance. Interestingly, students are found to be using non-paid resources more than paid ones because of a lack of search skills. Discipline-wise investigation reveals that students from the disciplines of information technology, economics and finance use e-resources more frequently than those studying subjects like marketing, operations and human resource management. Faculty and training have emerged as strong influencers that have persuaded students to use e-resources.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is limited to students studying management courses in Nagpur, Maharashtra (India).

Originality/value

This research will help institutions, librarians and publishers in gaining insight on the utilization patterns of e-resources. The uniqueness of this study lies in the fact that it has analyzed and presented the responses of management students belonging to different disciplines in management studies such as, marketing, finance, human resource management operations, economics and information technology regarding their usage patterns of e-resources.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

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