Title: Use of electronic resources by research scholars of Kurukshetra University

Author(s): Margam Madhusudhan, (Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi,
Delhi, India)
Citation: Margam Madhusudhan, (2010) "Use of electronic resources by research scholars of
Kurukshetra University", Electronic Library, The, Vol. 28 Iss: 4, pp.492 - 506
Keywords: Electronic media, India, Information retrieval, Research, Students, University libraries
Article type: Research paper
DOI: 10.1108/02640471011033684 (Permanent URL)
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acknowledgements: The author expresses his gratitude to Professor (Mrs) Ashu Shokeen, Mrs Kusum Shukla,
Mrs Vijay Behl, Mrs Sunita Saini, Mr Subhash Chander Monga, Mr Satish Kumar, and
Shri.R.D. Mehla for their kind help and co-operation for this study.
Abstract: Purpose This paper focuses on the use of e-resources by research scholars of
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (India). The main aim is to determine the use of e-
resources, users' skills in handling e-resources, and the purpose of their use. Further, the
paper aims to highlight the problems faced by research scholars in accessing e-resources,
their opinions on feature of e-resources, and their views on usefulness of e-resources
compared to that of conventional sources.
Design/methodology/approach The survey was conducted through a structured
questionnaire circulated among 60 research scholars (PhD and MPhil) taken from different
departments of Kurukshetra University and the response rate was 83 per cent. A stratified
accidental random sample method was used for selection of respondents and interacting
with them. These respondents were among those available in the university library during the
survey period (18-28 December 2008). The responses received from the research scholars
to 14 questions are presented in the form of tables and figures and analyzed by using a
simple method of calculation.
Findings The paper concludes that electronic resources have become an integral part of
the information needs of research scholars at Kurukshetra 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. Google is the most
widely used search engine for locating information electronically.
Practical implications The paper restricts the study exclusively to use of e-resources by the
research scholars of Kurukshetra University.
Originality/value Few attempts have been made to study the use of e-resources by
research scholars and their impact in India. The paper highlights the use of e-resources in
research at Kurukshetra University with some constructive suggestions for improvement of
electronic resources and services.