1. Information Seeking Behaviour of Faculty Members, School of Applied. Science, Ahmedabad University. Chetas Bhagat 1 *. Professional Library. Assistant.
Information Seeking Behaviour of Faculty Members, School of Applied Science, Ahmedabad University Chetas Bhagat 1 *
Rahul Kanani 2 *
Ripal Thakor3 *
Professional Library
Library Trainee
Library Trainee
Assistant *
Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad
ABSTRACT The investigation has been undertaken to assess the Information Seeking Behaviour by the Faculty: a study of Ahmedabad University in the subject of Engineering. A wellorganized questionnaire was shared among the faculty members of engineering in Ahmedabad University. The responses were assembled from 6 (20%) faculties. The results of the study disclose valuable facts about the Information Seeking Behaviour by Ahmedabad University. The frequency of library visit for accessing information, their purpose behind accessing information, their preferable resources and format and other activities for satisfying their information need are evaluated which will help to improve library and it’s services. KEYWORDS: Information Seeking Behaviour, SEAS Ahmedabad University, Library.
1. INTRODUCTION The present era is known as an era of Information and knowledge. Information is playing vital role in the life of the human beings. It changed all dimensions of their life, their needs, their surroundings and many other aspects. To know little will definitely leads you to know more and more and give a birth of information need because of
1
curiosity. Similar idea found in the history human beings. In the era of information and communication technology (ICT), information is available in huge numbers. It called information explosion. So, it is very difficult to get right and authentic information in a right form to the right person at right time. If we are talking about information, then it is necessary to understand about information.
1.1.
Concept of Information
The term information has been derived from the Latin terms “Forma “& “Formatio”. Both these words express the similar meaning of giving shape to something. Information means the communication of facts about an event or certain circumstance.
Dervin & Nilan (1986) "something constructed by human beings" Turnor (1988) “Information is a key resource that can bring about change & improvement in the society”
1.2.
Information Need
Information need is developing from an ambiguous consciousness of somewhat absent and as concluding in discovering information that gives to understanding and meaning. Information need is defined as an irregular state of knowledge or a gap in individual's knowledge in reasonable circumstances. There are different kinds of information needs which are mention below:
Existing Information Need
Comprehensive Information Need
Routine Information Need
Grasping Information Need 2
1.3.
Information Seeking
“Information seeking is a basic activity indulged in by all people & manifested through a particular Behaviour” described Wiberley (1989).
1.4.
Information Behaviour
Information Behaviour is the complete human Behaviour in relative to sources & channels of information containing both dynamic & sluggish information seeking & information use.
1.5.
Information Seeking Behaviour
Information seeking Behaviour is the ways individuals express their information needs, find, evaluate, select and use information. Thus it is the intentional seeking for information as a significance of a requirement to fulfil the goal.
2. REVIEW LITERATURE A.K. Pareek and Madan S. Rana (2013) conducted a survey of 100 research scholars of Banasthali University. The core findings of the study was less utilization of IT based library services compare with print resources. Researchers mostly use books and ejournals. The first preference of researcher was either guide or library because central library of university is sufficient enough to meet their research information need. Anil Kumar, Nasima Salmani and Sukhleen Baweja (2014) conducted a survey of seven departments of Kurukshetra University to examine their information seeking behaviour. Research scholars and faculty members of Kurukshetra University were the sample population. The important results of the study were the combination of mix responses. Most of the responses were suggested that Kurukshetra University should improve 3
internet speed, conducting training programmes for professionals creating awareness about E-journals and e-resources among the student. Laila Marouf and Mumtaz A. Anwar (2010) conducted a survey of social sciences 77 faculty members at Kuwait University. The result of the study was being comprehensively depended on books and journals for education and other resources for research purposes by the respondents. Journals and books are considered the key sources to meet their needs. The level of satisfaction with informal sources is considerably greater than formal sources. Blessing Esuru Ahiauzu and Okon Edet Ani (2015) conducted a survey of academic staff in Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, Nigeria with the prior objective to examine their information seeking behaviour in the digital era. They are frequently use internet and electronic resources more rather than traditional and other resources. K. Thukaram (2015) undertaken a study to examine and decide the information seeking behaviour and library usage by research scholars of at Central University Libraries in Hyderabad. The core idea behind the study is to know the researchers’ information need, awareness of information resources and library services.
3. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVESTIGATION The aim of the study is to investigate the succeeding objectives:
To recognize the purpose of Information by Faculty Members of School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), Ahmedabad University
To recognize information need and seeking behaviour of Faculty Members of SEAS, Ahmedabad University
To examine their information assembling activities
To recognize the alertness and usage of library resources and services by Faculty members 4
To examine and comprehend the general problem faced by Faculty Members to access the information resources
To recognize the preferred place and time for accessing information by Faculty Members of SEAS
4. SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION The study is being assumed in order to recognize the Information seeking behaviour by Faculty Members of School of Engineering and Applied Science. A study will include Faculty members of all three departments; Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Chemical Engineering (CE).
5. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM The information technology has developed very promptly and has an enormous effect on access to information. At present, all faculty members mostly reliant on the internet for information assembling for their various kinds of intellectual works. A variety of electronic resources are accessible on internet either open access (free) or paid. Therefore information assembling is very easy and user-friendly due to the impact of ICT. Preferable resources are electronic rather than print. With this point of view, the study is taken up.
6. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY A questionnaire was designed for the purpose of the study in form of Google. A survey method was used for the study. Questionnaire is used for data collection. The entire investigation is reliant on the questionnaire method only. The survey population is faculty members of School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), Ahmedabad 5
University for the investigation. Simple Random Sampling (Probability Sampling) is used for the study. The study was conducted during summer vacation. Most of the Faculty members were available. Due to this major cause, I preferred Simple Random Sampling. Hence, there are 28 faculty members in SEAS. Among 28 faculty 20% of them were chosen as a sample. Total 8 questionnaires were shared to the selected SEAS faculty members on the information need and seeking behaviour. Out of 08, 06 responded in Google forms questionnaires with over all response rates of 20%. Microsoft Excel was used for diagram erection.
7. DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS Table 1:- Number of Responds Gender wise Study respondents were enquired to check the ration of responds gender wise by SEAS faculty as shown in Table 1. As per the faculty respond, 60% of male faculty responded and 40% of female faculty responded. Gender
Responds
Male
4(60%)
Female
2(40%)
No of Responds Gender wise Male
Female
40% Table 1
60%
Figure 1
Table 2:- Number of Responds Subject wise Study respondents were enquired to check the ration of responds subject wise by SEAS faculty as shown in Table 2. As per the faculty respond, 50% of respond received from
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information and communication Technology (ICT), 20% of respond received from Mechanical Engineering and 30% of respond received from Chemical Engineering.
Subject
Responds
ICT
3(50%)
Mechanical Engineering
1(20%)
Chemical Engineering
2(30%)
Number of Responds Subject wise ICT
Mechanical Engineering
30%
Table 2
Chemical Engineering
50%
20%
Figure 2
Table 3:- Do you visit the Library? Study respondents were enquired to check the frequency of library visited by SEAS Faculty as shown in Table 3. As per the faculty respond, 34% visited the library daily (often), 17% visited the library daily (sometimes) and 34% visited the library daily (never). 67% visited the library 2-3 time in week (sometimes) and 17% visited the library 2-3 time in week (never). 17% visited the library weekly (often), 34% visited the library weekly (Usually) and 34% visited the library weekly (sometimes). 34% visited the library once a fortnight (often), 34% visited the library once a fortnight (Usually) and 17% visited the library once a fortnight (sometimes). 34% visited the library once a month (always), 17% visited the library once a month (Usually) and 17% visited the library once a month (sometimes). 17% visited the library once a fortnight (Usually) and 34% visited the library occasionally (sometimes).
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Do you visit the Library? Always Often Usually 0 2(34%) 0 0 0 0 0 1(17%) 2(34%) 0 2(34%) 2(34%) 2(34%) 0 1(17%) 0 0 1(17%)
Daily 2-3 Time in Week Weekly Once a Fortnight Once a Month Occasionally
Sometimes 1(17%) 4(67%) 2(34%) 1(17%) 1(17%) 2(34%)
Never 2(34%) 1(17%) 0 0 0 0
Table 3
Do you visit the Library? Always
34% 17% 0 34% 0 Daily
17%
Often
Usually
0 34%
Sometimes
0 17% 34%
67%
34%
0
17% 0
2-3 Time in Week
Weekly
34% 0
Never
0 17% 17% 0 34%
Once a Fortnight Once a Month
0 34% 17% 0
Occasionally
Figure 3
Table 4:- What is the purpose/ need of Information Seeking? Study respondents were enquired the purpose / need of library visit which is shown in Table 4. As per the faculty respond, 67% visited the library for the purpose of teaching (Usually) and 17% visited the library for the purpose of teaching (Sometimes). 50% visited the library for the purpose of research work (Often), 16% visited the library for the purpose of research work (Usually) and 34% visited the library for the purpose of research work (Sometimes). 34% visited the library for the purpose of education (Often), 17% visited the library for the purpose of education (Usually) and 17% visited the library for the purpose of education (Sometimes). 17% visited the library for the purpose of writing paper & Presenting papers (Often), 17% visited the library for the purpose of writing paper & Presenting papers (Usually) and 50% visited the library for 8
the purpose of writing paper & Presenting papers (Sometimes). 17% visited the library for the purpose of updating knowledge (Often), 34% visited the library for the purpose of updating knowledge (Usually) and 34% visited the library for the purpose of updating knowledge (Sometimes). 17% visited the library for the purpose of entertainment (Often), 17% visited the library for the purpose of entertainment (Usually) and 50% visited the library for the purpose of entertainment (Never). 17% visited the library for the purpose of carry out administrative work (Usually), 50% visited the library for the purpose of carry out administrative work (Sometimes) and 17% visited the library for the purpose of carry out administrative work (Never). What is the purpose/ need of Information Seeking? Always Often Usually Sometimes 0 0 Teaching 4(67%) 1(17%) Research Work 0 3(50%) 1(16%) 2(34%) Education 0 2(34%) 1(17%) 1(17%) Writing paper & 0 1(17%) 1(17%) 3(50%) Presenting papers Updating Knowledge 0 1(17%) 2(34%) 2(34%) Entertainment 0 0 1(17%) 1(17%) Carry out 0 0 1(17%) 3(50%) administrative work
Never 0 0 0 0 0 3(50%) 1(17%)
Table 4
What is the purpose/ need of Information Seeking? Always
Often
Usually
Sometimes
Never
0 0 17%
16% 67%
0 Teaching
0
34% 0 17%
50%
17% 50% 0 Research Work
34% 0 Education
17% 17% 0 Writing paper & Presenting papers
Figure 4
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0 34%
17% 50%
34%
0 17%
17% 0 Updating Knowledge
17% 0 Entertainment
50%
17% 0 Carry out administrative work
Table 5:- Where do you use/prefer to use information? Study respondents were enquired the preferable location to use information which is shown in Table 5. As per the faculty respond, 17% of faculty access information from Home (Often), 34% of faculty access information from Home (Usually) and 17% of faculty access information from Home (Sometimes). 50% of faculty access information from Library (Usually) and 34% of faculty access information from Library (Sometimes). 34% of faculty access information from Office (Always), 16% of faculty access information from Office (Often) and 50% of faculty access information from Office (Usually). 67% of faculty access information from Other Places (Sometimes) Where do you use/prefer to use information? Always Often Usually Sometimes Home 0 1(17%) 2(34%) 1(17%) Library 0 0 3(50%) 2(34%) Office 2(34%) 1(16%) 3(50%) 0 Other Places 0 0 0 4(67%)
Never 0 0 0 0
Table 5
Where do you use/prefer to use information? Home
Library
Office
Other Places
0 50% 67% 50% 0 34% 0
Always
0 16% 0 17%
34%
Often
Usually
0 34% 17% Sometimes
0
Never
Figure 5
Table 6:- Average time spent in the library on the visit of Information Need Study respondents were enquired an average time spent in the library on the visit of Information Need which is shown in Table 6. As per the faculty respond, 50% of faculty spent less than 30 Minutes to 1 hour in the library on the visit of Information Need (Often), 50% of faculty spent less than 30 Minutes to 1 hour in the library on the visit of 10
Information Need (Usually). 67% of faculty spent 1 to 2 hours in the library on the visit of Information Need (Sometimes). 34% of faculty spent 3 to 4 hours in the library on the visit of Information Need (Sometimes) and 34% of faculty spent 3 to 4 hours in the library on the visit of Information Need (Never). 17% of faculty spent More than 4 hours in the library on the visit of Information Need (Sometimes) and 50% of faculty spent More than 4 hours in the library on the visit of Information Need (Never). Average time spent in the library on the visit of Information Need Always Often Usually Sometimes Never Less than 30 Minutes to 1 hour 0 3(50%) 3(50%) 0 0 1 to 2 hours 0 0 0 4(67%) 0 3 to 4 hours 0 0 0 2(34%) 2(34%) More than 4 hours 0 0 0 1(17%) 3(50%) Table 6
Average time spent in the library on the visit of Information Need Less than 30 Minutes to 1 hour
1 to 2 hours
3 to 4 hours
17% 34% 0 Always
0 50%
0 50%
Often
Usually
67% 0 Sometimes
More than 4 hours
50% 34% 0 Never
Figure 6
Table 7:- Which are the resources you regularly use? Study respondents were enquired to the regular usage of preferable resources by SEAS faculty during the time of Information Need which is shown in Table 7. As per the faculty respond, average 50% of faculty always use books, textbooks, periodicals and reference sources regularly. Average 25% of faculty often use books, textbooks, periodicals and reference sources regularly. Average 12.5% of faculty usually use books,
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textbooks, periodicals and reference sources regularly. Average 12.5% of faculty sometimes use books, textbooks, periodicals and reference sources regularly. Average 20% of faculty usually use thesis and project report, conference proceeding, annual report and audio – visual resources regularly. Average 40% of faculty sometimes use thesis and project report, conference proceeding, annual report and audio – visual resources regularly. Average 40% of faculty never use thesis and project report, conference proceeding, annual report and audio – visual resources regularly. Which are the resources you regularly use? Always Often Usually Sometimes Books 4(66%) 1(17%) 1(17%) 0 Textbooks 3(50%) 2(34%) 1(16%) 0 Periodical 1(17%) 1(17%) 1(17%) 1(17%) Reference sources 2(33%) 2(33%) 0 2(33%) Thesis and project report 0 0 0 3(50%) Conference proceeding 0 0 1(17%) 1(17%) Annual Report 0 0 2(34%) Audio – Visual resources 0 0 1(17%) 1(17%)
Never 0 0 0 0 1(17%) 2(34%) 2(34%) 2(34%)
Table 7
Which are the resources you regularly use? Always
0 17% 17%
66%
0 16% 34%
Textbooks
Sometimes
Never
33% 0 17% 17% 17%
Books
Usually
0
17% 50%
Often
Periodical
0
17%
33% 33% Reference sources
12
50%
17%
0
17% 0
Thesis and project report
Figure 7
34%
34% 34% 0
34% 17% 17% 0
Conference Annual Report Audio – Visual resources proceeding
Table 8:- Which of the following resources you regularly use? Study respondents were enquired to the regular usage of preferable e-resources by SEAS faculty during the time of Information Need which is shown in Table 8. As per the faculty respond, Average 50% of faculty always use a list of e-resources given in Table 13 regularly. Average 25% of faculty often use a list of e-resources given in Table 8 regularly. Average 12.5% of faculty sometimes use a list of e-resources given in Table 8regularly. Average 12.5% of faculty never use a list of e-resources given in Table 8 regularly Which of the following e-resources you regularly use? Always Often Usually Sometimes E-Books 0 0 4(66%) 2(34%) E-Journals 0 0 4(66%) 2(34%) E-database 0 1(17%) 2(34%) 1(17%) E-Thesis/ Dissertation 1(17%) 1(17%) 0 1(17%)
Never 0 0 0 1(17%)
Table 8
Which of the following e-resources you regularly use? E-Books
E-Journals
E-database
E-Thesis/ Dissertation
17% 17% 66%
66% Always
17% 34% 34% 34% Often
0
Usually
Figure 8
13
17% 17% 0
Sometimes
17% 0
Never
Table 9:- Seeking Information in News Paper Study respondents were enquired weather SEAS faculty refer newspaper during the time of information need which is shown in Table 9. As per the faculty respond, Average 60% of faculty preferred English newspaper during the time of information need. Average 20% of faculty preferred Hindi newspaper during the time of information need. Average 20% of faculty preferred Gujarati newspaper during the time of information need. Seeking Information in News Paper Always Often Usually Sometimes 1(17%) 1(17%) 0 0 4(66%) 0 2(34%) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1(17%) 1(17%)
Hindi English Other Gujarati
Table 9
Seeking Information in News Paper Hindi
English
Other
Gujarati
50% 0 67% 66% 17%
0 17%
Always
Often
17% 0 34% 0
Usually
Figure 9
14
17% 0
Sometimes
34% Never
Never 2(34%) 4(67%) 3(50%)
Table 10:- Preference of Traditional Resources and E-Resources Study respondents were enquired weather SEAS faculty prefer information in which form during the time of information need which is shown in Table 10. As per the faculty respond, 34% of faculty prefer information in Electronic form and 66% of faculty prefer information in both print & Electronic. Preference of Traditional Resources and E-Resources 0 Print copy 2(34%) Electronic copy 4(66%) Both print & Electronic 0 Other: Table 10
Preference of Traditional Resources and E-Resources Print copy
Electronic copy 0%
Both print & Electronic 0%
Other:
34%
66% Figure 10
Table 11:- In what format would you prefer to Read your information Study respondents were enquired whether SEAS faculty prefer information in which format during the time of information need which is shown in Table 11. As per the faculty respond, All faculty (100%) preferred information in PDF format, average 66% of faculty information in MS Word format and Average 33% of faculty information in HTML format. SGML format is never use by SEAS faculty members.
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In what format would you prefer to Read your information Always Often Usually Sometimes Never PDF 4(66%) 1(17%) 1(17%) 0 0 HTML 0 1(17%) 0 2(34%) 0 SGML 0 0 0 0 3(50%) MS Word 0 0 0 4(67%) 0 Table 11
In what format would you prefer to Read your information PDF
HTML
SGML
0
MS Word
67% 0
66%
Always
0 17% 17%
0 17%
Often
Usually
0 34% 0
50% 0
Sometimes
Never
Figure 11
Table 12:- In what format would you prefer to Read your information Study respondents were enquired to check use of different search engines by SEAS which is shown in Table 12. As per the faculty respond, 100% use Google only during the time of information need. Use of different search engines 0 Alta vista 6(100%) Google 0 Yahoo 0 All Above 0 Other
Use of different search engines Alta vista
Google
Yahoo
0% 100%
Table 12
Figure 12
16
All Above
Other
Table 13:- Search Methods (Material in Library) Study respondents were enquired to check which are search methods being used by SEAS faculty during the time of information need which is shown in Table 13. As per the faculty respond, 17% use Keyword search, 49% use Title search, 17% use Subject search and 17% use all above search. Search Methods Material in Library Keyword search 1(17%) Title search 3(49%) Author search 0 Subject search 1(17%) All Above 1(17%)
Search Methods Material in Library Keyword search
Title search
Subject search
All Above
17%
Table 13
Author search
17%
17% 49% 0%
Figure 13
Table 14:- Used different searching tools to locate information? Study respondents were enquired to check the preferable different searching tools to locate information during the time of information need by SEAS faculty which is shown in Table 14. As per the faculty respond, average 20% of faculty preferred Shelf search during the time of information need. Average 40% of faculty preferred OPAC during the time of information need, average 30% of faculty preferred library staff during the time of information need and 10% of faculty preferred Full-text Library database during the time of information need.
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Used different searching tools to locate information? Always Often Usually Sometimes Shelf search 0 2(34%) 1(17%) 1(17%) OPAC 0 0 2(34%) 4(66%) Library staff 0 2(34%) 2(34%) 1(17%) Full-text Library 0 0 1(17%) 2(34%) database
Never 0 0 0 1(17%)
Table 14
Used different searching tools to locate information? Shelf search
OPAC
Library staff
Full-text Library database
17% 34%
0 34% 0
Always
0 34% 0 34% Often
66%
34%
17%
17% 0 17%
Usually
Sometimes
17% 0
Never
Figure 14
Table 15:- Used different searching tools to locate information? Study respondents were enquired to check the preferable methods and sources used for current awareness during the time of information need by SEAS faculty which is shown in Table 15. As per the faculty respond, Average 25% of faculty always preferred a list of information location given in Table 15. Average 25% of faculty often preferred a list of information location given in Table 15. Average 12.5% of faculty usually preferred a list of information location given in Table 15. Average 25% of faculty sometimes preferred a list of information location given in Table 15. Average 12.5% of faculty never preferred a list of information location given in Table 15.
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Methods and sources used for current awareness Always Often Usually Sometimes Consulting expert in 1(17%) 1(17%) 2(33%) 2(33%) subject field Reading latest Books 2(34%) 2(34%) 1(17%) 0 Reading newspaper 3(49%) 1(17%) 1(17%) 1(17%) Discussion with 0 3(50%) 1(17%) 1(17%) colleagues Attending professional conferences/ seminars and workshops Browsing shelves in bookstores Browsing publisher's catalogues Media: TV and radio Scanning current issues of print and electronic Journals Reading newsletters Through Current awareness services of library
1(17%)
0 0 0 0
2(34%)
2(34%)
0
0
1(17%) 1(17%)
3(50%)
0
0
1(17%) 2(34%)
1(17%)
1(17%)
0
2(34%)
0
2(34%)
1(17%)
2(34%) 1(17%)
0
2(34%)
0
1(17%) 1(17%)
0
3(50%)
0
2(34%)
2(34%)
1(17%)
0
2(34%) 1(17%)
1(17%)
1(17%)
0
2(34%) 2(34%)
0
Scanning current issues of abstracting and indexing tools Through e-mail alerts
0
Never
0
1(17%)
Table 15
Methods and sources used for current awareness 0 33% 33% 17% 17%
0 17% 34% 34%
Always 0 17% 17% 17% 49%
Often
0 17% 17% 50% 0
0 34% 34% 0 17%
Usually 0 50% 17% 17% 0
Figure 15
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17% 17% 34% 17% 0
Sometimes 17% 34% 0 34% 0
0 34% 0 17% 34%
Never 0 50% 0 17% 17%
17% 34%
17% 17% 17%
17% 34%
34%
34%
34%
0
0
0
Table 16:- Problems faced in getting the information Study respondents were enquired problems faced in getting the information by SEAS faculty during the time of information need which is shown in Table 16. As per the faculty respond, 66% problems faced in getting the information due to lack of time, 17% problems faced in getting the information due to Inadequate collection and 17% problems faced in getting the information due to lack of knowledge. Problems faced in getting the information Lack of time 4(66%) Inadequate collection 1(17%) Overload information 0 Lack of knowledge 1(17%) Poor library facilities 0
Problems faced in getting the information Lack of time
Inadequate collection
Overload information
Lack of knowledge
Poor library facilities
17%
0%
0%
Table 16
17%
66%
Figure 16
Table 17:- Level of Satisfaction of Seeking Information from Library Study respondents were enquired the level of satisfaction of seeking information from Library by SEAS faculty during the time of information need which is shown in Table 17. As per the faculty respond, 17% fully satisfied from library, 50% satisfied from library and 33% moderately satisfied from library. 15. Level of Satisfaction of Seeking Information from Library Fully satisfied 1(17%) Satisfied 3(50%) Moderately satisfied 2(33%) Dissatisfied 0 Table 17
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Level of Satisfaction of Seeking Information from Library Fully satisfied
Satisfied
Moderately satisfied
Dissatisfied
0% 33%
17%
50%
Figure 17
8. FINDINGS
Information Seeking of School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Faculty, Ahmedabad University in the subject of Engineering used more by males i.e. 50% than female users.
SEAS, Ahmedabad University in the subject of engineering faculty access the information more by Information and Communication Technology faculty i.e. 40% more than Chemical Engineering & 80% more than Mechanical Engineering
All most all faculties preferred to visit library weekly, fortnightly and monthly either usually or sometimes.
90% of SEAS faculty seeking information for the purpose of Teaching, Education,
Research Work, Writing paper & Presenting papers.
Office and Home are more preferred place to use information compare. Library is an alternative location to use information
Mostly SEAS faculty spent less than 30 Minutes to 1 hour time in the library on the visit of Information Need compare to other options.
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SEAS faculty are mostly seeking information in books, textbooks, periodicals and reference sources regularly rather than other print resources
SEAS faculty are mostly seeking information in E-Books, E-Journals, E-database and E-Thesis/ Dissertation regularly.
80% of SEAS faculty preferred English newspaper rather than other languages.
66% of SEAS faculty preferred both print & Electronic and 34% of SEAS faculty preferred only Electronic for information seeking.
SEAS faculty wished to access information more in PDF and MS Word format than HTML. They never access information in SGML format.
100% of faculty use Google for accessing information.
Title search is mostly preferred search method for library resources than keyword and subject search.
Shelf search, OPAC, library staff and full-text library database are being equally preferred searching tools to locate information by faculty.
SEAS Faculty members are adopted different methods and sources used for current awareness as per their requirement and comfort.
SEAS Faculty are facing problems in getting the information 20% more due to lack of time than other causes.
Overall SEAS Faculty are satisfied with library during the time of Information Seeking.
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9. Conclusion: Summing up with the following suggestions are stated to improve the Information Seeking Behaviour in Ahmedabad University Library based on the outcomes of the study:
Library should increase library collection in all branches of knowledge
Library should organise orientation programme for utilization of library resources in a best way
Library should try to interact more with faculty members to know more about their information need
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