(ISSN: 0975-3168) .

AWARENESS AND USE OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES IN

THE RESEARCH INSTITUTE LIBRARIES OF MOHALI, PUNJAB

Lalitha K.Sami
Professor, Department of Library and Information Science
Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Karnataka State, India
e-mail: lalitasami.sami@gmail.com
&
Gurjeet Kaur Uppal
Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science
Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Karnataka State, India
e-mail: geetuppal3@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Information technology plays pivotal role in all phases of human activities. It has a
great impact on libraries and information centers. In this study an attempt has been
made to investigate the awareness and usage of electronic information resources in
the research institutes of Mohali, Punjab. The main aim of the study is to identify the
level of satisfaction among users regarding information resources. The finding of the
study reveals that all most all the users are aware regarding e resources. It is
observed from the study that all the users use E journals, Email and Websites to full
extent, except e journal by non scientific staff that is 71.67. Majority of users face
common problem i.e. slow access speed. So there is a need to provide high
bandwidth to overcome poor network connectivity

Keywords: Electronic information resources, scientific respondents, non-scientific

respondents, research scholar and Research institutes

Introduction

For centuries, the societies in their various stages of developments, have prospered on the basis
of information and knowledge. Though, the growth of new knowledge has been slow, incidental
and periodic in the beginning, but in later years, with the advent of technology, information has
rocked as a driving force for all human developments.

It is increasingly realized that information and their application for transforming non resources into
valuable economic resources are the real driving power for human material progress. This
assessment has resulted in the creation of institutions exclusively for research and development
activities. The output of these R&D activities has been the generation of new information and
knowledge. (PSG Kumar, 2002)

The emergence of IT has brought tremendous changes in storage and dissemination of

information. The application of IT in R&D institutions has opened up a new chapter of information
communication and facilitated global access to information to cross the geographical limitations.

Researchers and scientists are always curious to know the latest information and major
developments in their area of interest. . In a research environment, libraries with the help of IT are
helping users with relevant scientific information within a stipulated time.

Electronic information resources can be defined as resources in the electronic format that provide
information or an indicator to the information and are accessible over the electronic devices. Since
they play an important and leading role in research and development by providing global and

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latest information, it is essential to know the awareness and usage of electronic information
resources in the research institutes.
Literature review

Wu and chen (2011) in his study “How graduate students perceive, use, and manage electronic
resources” found that Graduate students are frequent users of electronic resources, particularly
during the time of literature review and thesis writing. Students of science and technology perceive
electronic resources more important to their research and studies than students of other
disciplines do. Very few students use the meta search tool to retrieve heterogeneous electronic
resources in the library and alert services to obtain updated information.

Egberongbe, Halima Sadia (2011) in his study “The Use and Impact of Electronic Resources at
the University of Lagos” had investigated the use and impact of electronic resources on
productivity of lecturers, researchers and students of university of Lagos. The study revealed that
majority of the respondents who used electronic resources, were aware and have become familiar
with electronic resources. Both faculty and students use e-resources to access information
available worldwide for teaching, learning and research. In his study, it was found that unfamiliarity
with electronic information were the major reasons that would discourage users from accessing
electronic resources in the University of Lagos library.

Margam Madhusudhan, (2010) in his study “Use of electronic resources by research scholars of
Kurukshetra University” said 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. It is revealed from the study that majority of respondents (62
per cent) face slow access speed.

Mahmood, Khalid (2015) in his study “Perceptions of Faculty about Information Literacy Skills of
Postgraduate Engineering Students” identifies the perceptions of faculty about the current level of
information literacy skills of engineering students in higher education in Pakistan. Mean scores of
most of the statements indicate the perception of teachers about their M.S. and Ph.D. students as
“fair” or “good.” This result is supported by the findings of previous studies, which found that the IL
skills of postgraduate students were higher than those of undergraduate students

Need for the study

Successful research is dependent on the latest information. The latest information is provided by
the libraries, attached to the research institutes. In its mission to provide latest information in the
field, libraries provide information resources both in print and electronic. The success of these
resources is judged by the use of their resources by the users

A preliminary review of literature reveals that no such study has been conducted so far in this topic
and keeping in view the previous aspects, the present study is conducted with a purpose to know
the users awareness and use of electronic information resources in research institutes of Mohali.

Objectives of the study

 The main aim of this study is to investigate the awareness and use of electronic
information resources in research institutes of Mohali.

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 To make appropriate recommendation for effective utilization of electronic information

resources in research institutes of Mohali.

Methodology

Survey method has been used to accomplish the study. The questionnaire and interview tools
were used for collection of data from the respondents of the four research institutes namely NABI,
CSIO, NIPER and INST that were selected for the study. Total sample was decided on the basis
of research advisor sample table 2006. On the basis of this, a total of 200 questionnaires were
distributed among the selected users; 169 questionnaires were received back with a moderate
response rate of 84.5 %.

Demographics

In order to assess the use habit of e-resources by the users, the sample was divided into the
following class of respondents

(1) Scientific staff in the present study are scientists and lab technicians,

(2) Research scholars consisting of senior research fellow and junior research fellow

(3) Non scientific staff of consisting administrative personnel, market and planning
officers, medical personnel and finance officers. The users responded from
scientific staff were 55(84.62) out of a total of 65 questionnaires distributed to
them; followed by Ph D scholars who constitute 54(83.08%) of the total 65 as well
as non scientific staff involved 60(85.71) out of total 70. This collectively constitute
169 (84.5%) of the total response. It is observed that, the highest percentage of
respondents is non-scientific staff who have shown vigorous interest in conveying
their valued response in this study.

Results and interpretation

I. Department wise of respondents distribution

S.No. Department No. of respondents Percentage

1 Engineering and production 71 42.01
2 R and D 38 22.49
3 Administration 19 11.24
4 Finance 13 7.69
5 Marketing & planning 21 12.43
6 Health centre 7 4.14
Total 169 100.00

Table I indicates the distribution of respondents based on their departments in which they are
employed. 42.01% of the respondents, covered in the study, are from engineering and production
department, while 22.49 % are from R&D departments. This is because the institutes covered in
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the study are research institutions, which are actively engaged in research and development work.
Further look at the table shows that 35.5% respondents are from marketing and planning,
administrative branch, finance and health care. All the respondents from these departments come
under non scientific staffs.

2. Awareness of electronic resources

Scientific staff Research scholar Non scientific staff

(N=55) (N=54) (N=60)
Resource
Aware Not Aware Aware Not Aware Aware Not Aware

Journal 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54 (100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

E books 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54 (100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

Database 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

Blog 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

Websites 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

Email 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

OPAC 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54 (100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

Patents 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 45 (83.33) 9 (16.67) 56 (86.67) 4 (6.67)

Standards 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 43 (79.63) 11 (20.37) 54 (90%) 6 (10.00)

Dictionary 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54 (100%) 0 (0.00) 60 (100%) 0 (0.00)

Online theses/
55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54 (100%) 0 (0.00) 58(96.67) 2(3.33)
dissertations

From Table II, it is observed that majority of the users, scientific, Research Scholars and non
scientific staff have the awareness of electronic resources. A very meager percentage of the users
from both research scholars and non scientific staff are not aware of patents, standards and online
theses and dissertations.

3. Main purpose of accessing electronic information resources

S RS NS
Purpose
(N=55) (N=54) (N=60)
Research 13 23.64 52 96.30 7 11.67
Prof work 49 89.09 6 11.11 55 91.67
Study 20 36.36 7 12.96 17 28.33

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It is observed from table 3 that 91.67% non scientific staff and 89.09% scientific staff use e
resources for their professional work, followed by 36.36% of scientific staff and 28.33% of non
scientific staff for study. Table revealed that only 23.64% of scientific staff and 11.67% of non
scientific staff use e resources for research purpose. Whereas 96.30% research scholars use EIR
for their research, followed by 12.96 for study and 11.11% for professional work.

4. Usage of electronic information resources

Scientific staff Research scholar Non scientific staff

Resource
(N=55) (N=54) (N=60)
Use Not use Use Not use Use Not use
Journal 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54 (100%) 0 (0.00) 43 (71.67) 17 (28.33)
E books 52(94.55) 3 (5.45) 49(90.74) 5 (9.26) 50 (83.33) 10 (16.67)
Database 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 46 (76.67) 14 (23.33)
Blog 48(87.27) 7 (12.73) 49(90.74) 5 (9.26) 40 (66.67) 20 (33.33)
Websites 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 60(100.00) 0 (0.00)
Email 55(100%) 0 (0.00) 54(100%) 0 (0.00) 60(100.00) 0 (0.00)
OPAC 48(87.27) 7 (12.73) 48 (88.89) 6 (11.11) 44 (73.33) 16 (26.67)
Patents 41(74.55) 14(25.45) 42 (77.78) 12 (22.22) 43 (71.67) 17 (28.33)
Standards 40(72.73) 15 (27.27) 40 (74.07) 14(25.93) 42 (70.00) 18 (30.00)
Dictionary 51(92.73) 4 (7.27) 50(92.59) 4 (7.41) 57 (95.00) 3 (5.00)
Online theses/ 49(89.09) 6 (10.91) 50(92.59) 4 (7.41)
dissertations 35 (58.33) 25(41.67)

Table 4 explores that email and websites are the most used e resources i.e. 100%. E-mail is one
of the facilities offered by internet and it is used by the all the respondents irrespective of different
categories for exchange of information. Journals are another important e resource used by
scientific staff and research scholars i.e. 100% of all the electronic resources. The lesser used e
resources by scientific respondents and research scholars are standards [scientific staff (72.73%)
and research scholars (74.04) and patents scientific respondents (74.55) and research scholars
(77.78)]. As regards the non-scientific respondents, mostly involved in administration and
management, are not in need of information like their technical counterparts. Still it is observed
that around three/ fourths of the non scientific respondents have been using all the e resources,
except blogs which is being used by more than two/ thirds i.e. (66.67%) and online theses and
dissertations (58.33%) that is being used by around half of the non scientific respondents.

5. Satisfaction of users regarding e resources

Scientific staff Research scholar Non scientific staff

(N=55) (N=54) (N=60)
Satisfied Not satisfied Satisfied Not satisfied Satisfied Not satisfied
55 0 54 0 41 19
(100.00) (0.00) (100.00) (0.00) (68.33) (31.67)
51 4.00 48 6.00 49 11
(92.73) (7.27) (88.89) (11.11) (81.67) (18.33)
54 1.00 53 1.00 45 15
(98.18) (1.82) (98.15) (1.85) (75.00) (25.00)
47 8.00 48 6.00 39 21
(85.45) (14.55) (88.89) (11.11) (65.00) (35.00)
55 0.00 53 1.00 58 2
(100.00) (0.00) (98.15) (1.85) (96.67) (3.33)
55 0.00 54 0.00 60 0
(100.00) (0.00) (100.00) (0.00) (100.00) (0.00)

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47 8.00 47 7.00 42 18
(85.45) (14.55) (87.04) (12.96) (70.00) (30.00)
40 15.00 40 14.00 42 18
(72.73) (27.27) (74.07) (25.93) (70.00) (30.00)
39 16.00 39 15.00 41 19
(70.91) (29.09) (72.22) (27.78) (68.33) (31.67)
50 5.00 49 5.00 55 5
(90.91) (9.09) (90.74) (9.26) (91.67) (8.33)
48 7.00 48 6.00 32 28
(87.27) (12.73) (88.89) (11.11) (53.33) (46.67)

Library provides different types of e resources to meet the information requirements of the users.
These resources, when provides the required information at a fast rate, positive attitude develops
towards these resources. This positive attitude leads to satisfaction. In this table an analysis has
been made to identify the resources which have provided satisfaction to the users. The resources
with which all the respondents (scientific staff, research scholar) are satisfied are email and
websites. Journals are another important resource that has provided 100% satisfaction to scientific
respondents and research scholars. The other two resources that nearly three/ fourths of the
scientific staff and research scholars are satisfied with standards [[scientific staff (70.91%) and
research scholars (72.22)] and patents [scientific respondents (72.73) and research scholars
(74.707%)] while, regarding non-scientific respondents, mostly involved in administration and
management, are not in need of information like their technical counterparts. It is observed that
around three/ fourths are satisfied with almost all the e resources, excepts blogs (65.00%) and
online theses and dissertations (53.33%) .

6. Problems while accessing e resources

S Rs NS
Problem
(N=55) (N=54) (N=60)

Slow access 50 90.91 53 98.15 51 85.00

Privacy 17 30.91 10 18.52 12 20.00

Difficult to find relevant

7 12.72 5 9.26 47 78.33
information

Several problems are identified by users while searching and accessing information. Majority of
the users from all categories are facing problem of slow access speed that is 90.91% from
scientific staff, 98.15% from research scholars and 85% from non scientific staff. More than three/
fourths of the non-scientific respondents face problem in finding relevant information.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Libraries have immense scope for the improvement in the manner of providing latest information
through their e resources. E resources can be judged as successful only when it is used by all the
users of the library. In this study, analysis has been made on the usage of e resources by the
users of the library. A user visits a library with some purpose, when the purpose has been met by
the resources then he feels satisfied and his satisfaction leads to more usage of resources.
Finding of the study also shows that in spite of having good awareness about all most all the e
resources around one thirds of scientific staff and research scholars and two thirds of non
scientific respondents have not been using e resources. This brings forth two points of concern.
Firstly library should provides access to other resources like general knowledge books and
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accounting etc apart from the subject related resources to meet the need of non scientific staff.
Secondly, libraries should organize training programmes to enhance the use of e resources.
Furthermore, majority of users face slow internet access speed problems. Therefore there is a
need to provide high bandwidth to overcome poor network connectivity.

E resources have become an integral part of the library collections. Hence, the libraries should
take steps to enhance the quality of e resources and use of e resources by all the member of the
library.

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