Information Needs and Information Seeking Patterns : Perceptions of ...

Information Needs and Information Seeking Patterns : Perceptions of Foreign Students in the University of Mysore R. Jerry Arokyamary Research Scholar University of Mysore, Mysore, India C.P. Ramasesh Librarian, University Graduate Library, University of Mysore, Mysore, India

Abstract

and the first in the state of Karnataka. Its long tradition of academic excellence reflects in it motto nothing is comparable to knowledge. The University of Mysore has been the focal academic institution for foreign students.

This paper presents the various information needs of foreign students and thier information seeking patterns. The extent of the usefulness of the library resources and the web information services are depicted. Attempts are also made to project the efficiency and skills in tracking academic information and the need for organising training and orientation programmes for the foreign students on periodical basis.

In the present study a systematic attempt is made to analyse the information needs and information seeking patterns of the foreign students studying in the University of Mysore and its affiliated colleges in Mysore city. The data relevant to the study has been obtained through the closed-end questionnaires .Some segments of student community have also been observed and interacted, as to the pattern of use of the library facilities and services. including the internet facilities and electronic information sources.

Introduction Mysore is a historical city, noteworthy for its academic excellence over the past 175 years, when Raja’s School was established under the Royal patronage. The University of Mysore, established in 1916, by the then Maharaja of Myore, Sri.Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, stands to be the sixth university to be started in India

Table 1: Foreign Nationals in Various Pg Departments of University of Mysore Category

Science Category

Arts Category

Total

Total Number of Foreign Students In Post-Graduate Courses

148

134

282

Questionnair Distrubuted

75

75

150

Response Obtained

70

51

121

Table 2: Purpose of Seeking Information Science & Arts Purposes

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Total

Research

17

30

28

38

11

124

Seminar & Assignments

03

33

32

45

07

120

Notes Making

07

33

35

31

15

121

General Knowledge & Current Events

09

30

37

37

08

121

Recreation

18

34

37

28

03

120

The data above shows that students of majority (67%) seek information for the purpose of preparing material for seminars, assignment writing, current events and

general knowledge. These areas of their activity account for 50 to 75 per cent of their needs.

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ICAL 2009 – POSTER PAPERS

Table 3: Sources and Facilities to Rely upon for Information Need (Science & Arts) Sources

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Total

Library

09

35

30

36

11

121

Teachers

05

19

44

39

12

119

Friends

10

38

37

20

14

119

Internet

04

20

22

47

27

120

Others

15

22

18

16

02

73

Total

43

134

151

158

66

552

Students in general depend on several sources of information for meeting their academic needs. But of these they rely most on library, internet and teachers to extent of 50 to 75 per cent (Table 3). Though teachers do play a vital role in disseminating

knowledge but students dependence on teachers for meeting their needs is to extent of 50 per cent only. However, dependence of students from Arts and Science on Internet (75 per cent) is an important observation for planning new services.

Table 4: Usefulness of Library Sources Library Sources

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Total

Text Books

5

22

36

34

22

119

Reference Sources

10

31

41

28

8

118

Journals

16

30

39

28

8

121

The textbooks, reference works and journals have been projected as useful information sources for academic studies. The degree of their usefulness ranges between 75 and 100 per cent. In the opinion of the foreign

students, reference books are moderately useful. Around 41 per cent respondents hold the view that the reference sources are useful to the extent of 50 per cent.

Table 5: Various Purposes of Browsing Internet Purpose

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Total

E-mail

6

20

35

31

29

121

Chatting

14

40

36

10

11

111

e-books & e-journals

5

29

23

35

19

111

Subject data bases

11

29

28

25

19

112

Recreation & current events

8

29

33

29

9

108

Total

44

147

155

130

87

563

It is clear from the Table 5 that the students use this facility for sending and receiving e-mails. Quiet a number of respondents representing more than 55 per cent, use internet for e-mail checking in the highest range between 75 per cent and 100 per cent. Yet another segment of respondents representing 45 per cent use for e-mail checking in the lower range between 25 per cent and 50 per cent.It is also evident that the above respondents equally use internet facility

for accessing subject data base, e-books and ejournals and relay chatting. However, the extent of access to books and journals, including subject data basis in the highest range of 75 per cent to 100 per cent is fairly good which accounts for 44 per cent of the respondents. However, the extent of use for recreation and current events is low ranging between 25 per cent and 50 per cent.

Table 6: Adequacy of Skills in using Library and Internet Sources

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

Total

Library

5

12

33

41

25

116

Internet

1

12

30

39

31

113

From the Table 6, the survey shows respondents are considerably skilful in utilising library facilities and the extent of their skill ranges between 75 per cent to

100 per cent. From this survey, it can be deduced that foreign students are efficient and skilful in utilising both library and internet facilities.

R. JERRY AROKYA M A RY A N D C . P. RAMASESH

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Table 7: Requirement of Training/Orientation for using Library/Internet Yes Sources

Science

Arts

Science

Arts

Library

26

21

34

30

Internet

29

26

40

25

Table 7 shows that more than 54 per cent of the total respondents have expressed that they do not need any kind of training or orientation to use the library and internet facilities. However, respondents from Arts background representing 51 per cent of the total respondents from Arts faculty and 41 per cent of the total student respondents from science faculty are of the opinion that they need orientation for the effective use of internet for tracking academic information useful for their studies.

Findings and Conclusion l

No

The response obtained through the survey instrument (questionnaire) depicts that the foreign students rely upon the library and internet facilities mainly to prepare themselves for academic studies like seminars, examinations, tests and assignment preparations.

l

Foreign students find easier to track up-to-date information available on the web. Since a major segment of the students possess internet facilities at their residence, they find it easier to be familiar in respect of locating information for academic endeavours.

l

Library collection, especially relating to text books and reference collections including the report literature are out-dated to an extent of 25 per cent

to 50 per cent and there is need to update these collections on priority basis. l

A great majority of the foreign students avail internet facility in order to send/ receive e-mails and access electronic books and journals. Only a small percentage of students rely upon internet for recreational purposes.

l

Quiet a number of students are of the opinion that they are efficient in using library and internet facility and as such there is no need for formal training or orientation.

l

Further, respondents hold the view that adequate terminals be provided to browse the net and access academic information. Many have stated that libraries have not subscribed to important journals and informative data bases useful for them.

Library and information centres have to extend quality services to create “delight” among its customers, especially the foreign students who approach the university with lot of expectations. Information resources and facilities have to be updated periodically taking into consideration the needs of users based on the feedback. Library reference collection, textbooks collection have to be strengthened and subscriptions to core journals, printing and electronic have to be made based on the needs of the user community. A regular feedback mechanism has to be developed in the library and information system.