Use of E-Journals by Research Scholars in University Libraries

Abstract

The main purpose of the study is to examine the use of e-journals by the research scholars in university libraries. Analysis of data collected from a stratified random sample of 888 research scholars belonging to Sri Venkateswara University, Andhra University and University of Hyderabad using a questionnaire, reveals that a high percentage of them (43.92%) use both print and e-journals. Majority of the research scholars (73.03%) use e-journals for their M.Phil/Ph.D research work. Most of them use UGC-INFONET e-journals. A high percentage of research scholars frequently use the database of JCCC. Among the open access journals, the research scholars use 'Directory of Open Access Journals' (29.3%), PubMed Central (22.07%) and Indian Journals (22.27%). The frequently used journals by more than 10% of research scholars are Journal of Analytical Chemistry (12.75%), Chemistry World (10.92%), Plant Cell Reports (10.82%), and Advances in Applied Mathematics (10.36%). Nearly one-fourth of them ((26.49%) are facing the problem of slow Internet connetivity. Majority of them (67.9%) participated in training programmes conducted by the libraries in the use of e-journals. A few suggestions have been made to enhance the use of e-journals.