An Investigation into the Information Behaviour of Veterinary Practitioners in South Africa By Marguerite Nel
Jotello F. Soga Library Faculty of Veterinary Science University of Pretoria, Pretoria South Africa
[email protected]
Introduction
Overview 1.
2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7.
The Study Purpose and scope Methodology Literature overview Results 3.1 The Information user 3.2 Information needs 3.3 Information seeking behaviour 3.4 Information use, sharing & transfer 3.5 General Recommendations Limitations of the study Value of the study Conclusion
The Study
•
Purpose and scope
•
Methodology
Literature overview •
The Veterinary Profession
•
Continued Professional Development (CPD) “… a subset of lifelong learning, which is the formal and informal process of turning academic learning into professional skills and knowledge.” Cropley in Short et al (2007: 689)
Literature overview (continue) •
Information behaviour ‐ information seeking ‐ information searching ‐ supplying, using and sharing of information
•
Previous studies
•
The Internet
Sex of respondents
Results Male Female
1. The Information user
Qualification
Age of respondents 50%
70%
45% 40%
60%
35%
50%
30% Qualification
25%
40%
20%
Age of respondents
30%
15% 10%
20%
5% 0%
10%
BVSc Degree
0% 26 - 35
36 - 50
51 - 60
older than 61
Honours
Masters
Other (diploma in senior management)
Results 2. Information needs Reasons why veterinarians need information: ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
Keeping up‐to‐date (CPD) Emergency problem solving Self development Papers / presentations to deliver at conferences To buy new products, equipment or technology Work related projects (e.g. committees) Studies For professional groups (e.g. associations)
Results 2. Information needs (continue) Other interesting findings: ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐
40% ‐ 65% ‐ 60% ‐ 80% ‐ All – 50% ‐
feel overloaded with information do not need assistance to find information willing to pay for the correct information are aware of new developments need information are aware of Web 2.0 technologies
Results 3. Information seeking behaviour Information sources used by veterinary practitioners
Results 3. Information seeking behaviour (continue)
Information sources consulted in case of emergency
Results 3. Information seeking behaviour (continue)
Results 3. Information seeking behaviour (continue) Information tools / websites on the Internet: – Databases (PubMed) – International Veterinary Information Service (IVIS) – Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE)
Results 4. Information use, sharing and transfer ‐ 75% save retrieved information in personal file ‐ 50% share / communicate retrieved information with other people / colleagues ‐ 71% agreed that social networks are important ‐ 95% agreed that the Internet can be used as a tool to facilitate CPD
Results 5. General • •
•
CPD is essential Limitations such as time; distance from centers where CPD activities are held; problems with administration and registration and cost implications More CPD activities can be web based.
Recommendations • Development of products and services • Training • Assist in information support for CPD courses • Promotion of alert services
Limitations of the study • Questionnaire was only sent out by e‐mail
Value of the study
Conclusion
Thank You
References • • • • • • • • •
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