Use of Electronic Information Resources by Scientists in Pharmacopoeia Laboratories of India

Abstract

The present study attempts to determine how scientists working in Pharmacopoeia Laboratories India and use Electronic Information Resources in their evidence based research, whether print or electronic formats are used more, and the usage pattern among scientists. The study further examines the information-seeking behaviours like information resource usage patterns, access to types of resources to scientific libraries, and use of particular information technologies. The investigator conducted a survey with the help of structured questionnaire. A total of 40 self-administered questionnaires were distributed among scientists of Pharmacopoeia Laboratories of India by adopting stratified random sampling. Thirty-one valid samples were collected and analysed. The result showed a growing interest on online journals and databases among the scientists of Pharmacopoeia Laboratories of India. The self perceived ability to use the computer for accessing electronic information resources among the scientists is quite high. The survey showed that majority of scientists marked that the library possessed useful online journals and databases for the scientific community. Awareness among the users about the availability of online journals was found highly satisfactory. Online journals and databases were mostly used for evidence-based research. The electronic information resources are better for accessing current and comprehensive information. Almost all the scientists perceived that electronic information resources have become a substitute for printed materials to a very high extent. There exist a number of studies on the use of electronic information resources, but this is the first of its kind within the Pharmacopoeia Laboratories of India.