Use Of Electronic Library Resources Research Articles

Analyzing Graduate Student Use of Library Electronic Resources at Loyola Institute of Technology

Analyzing Graduate Student Use of Library Electronic Resources at Loyola Institute of Technology

Influence of computer literacy skills on the use of library electronic resources among Babcock University undergraduates, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State

Evolutions in information and communication technologies (ICTs) necessitated new tools and skills for searching information, particularly e-resources. However, studies affirmed that many students possess little or none of these required search and retrieval skills. The study, therefore aimed to investigate the influence of computer literacy skills on the use of electronic resources among Babcock University undergraduates, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State. A survey research design with purposive sampling technique was adopted to select 387 respondents, with the use of questionnaire. The descriptive statistics was used to analyze the research questions and multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that the undergraduates utilized e-resources such as e-dictionary, e-books, online catalog, e-journal etc. for the purpose of updating knowledge (60.9%), class-work (59.1%) more than entertainment (21.9%). Also, it was revealed that undergraduates frequently consult e-resources such as e-journal (90.7%), and e-dissertation and e-thesis (62.5%) than e-databases (1.9%). In addition, undergraduate have high level of computer literacy skills in manipulating electronic information resources (98.4%) than performing data analysis with a computer software package (8.1%). Furthermore, computer literacy skills significantly influenced the use of e-resources among the undergraduates. The study concluded that the higher computer literacy skills, the better the use of e-resources. The study recommended that the university management should frequently organized a computer literacy skills training that focus more on software and database management skills. In addition, the university libraries should organize from time-to-time information literacy training that embrace both the use of print and non-print electronic and web-based resources of libraries while also focusing on information searching, retrieval and evaluation skills.

Computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, cognitive skills, and use of electronic library resources by social science undergraduates in a tertiary university in Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, and cognitive skills on the use of electronic library resources by social science undergraduates in a tertiary institution in Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted and stratified random sampling technique was used to select 869 sample size from a population of 1452 social science undergraduates across five departments. A total of 793 questionnaire was properly filled and collated which equals a response rate of 91.3% from the population sample. Findings from the study revealed that there were significant relationships among computer selfefficacy, computer anxiety, cognitive skills, and use of electronic library resources by the respondents. Computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, and cognitive skills individually and jointly had a significant influence on the use of electronic library resources of the respondents. Therefore, library management in the tertiary institution should give due consideration to computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, and cognitive skills of the respondents when planning to enhance their use of electronic library resources among others.

Relationship between access to ICT and the use of electronic library resources by scholars and postgraduate students in a rural-based South African university

This study examined access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and use of electronic library resources (ELRs) in a rural-based university, against the backdrop of ongoing changes in the way people access information. It aimed to investigate access to ICTs and use of ELRs at the University of Venda in South Africa (SA). A quantitative research approach with an embedded survey research design was adapted to collect data from the respondents. Stratified sampling techniques were employed to select the sample size consisting of 45 scholars and 150 postgraduate students. This study used structured questionnaires as data collection instruments. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the collected data. The findings revealed that UNIVEN scholars and postgraduate students have access to the prerequisite infrastructure and technology for accessing ELRs. Likewise, this study shows that scholars and postgraduate students at UNIVEN have regular access to the internet. However, there is no significant difference in the preferences of electronic databases (e-databases) accessed and used by scholars and postgraduate students. The study recommends that UNIVEN library should provide research commons for scholars and postgraduate students within the library building.

Computer self-efficacy as a predictor of undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in South-west Nigeria

Purpose Undergraduates use electronic library resources for academic activities. However, literature has revealed that undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources is low in Nigeria owing to attitude, computer literacy and information retrieval skills, while little attention was given to computer self-efficacy. This paper aims to examine computer self-efficacy as a predictor of undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in south-west Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The descriptive survey research design was adopted. Multi-stage sampling method was used to select 1,526 undergraduates from the population size of 30,516 from six federal universities in south-west Nigeria in four faculties (Arts, Engineering/ Technology, Science and Social sciences) and three departments from each of the faculties (English, History and Philosophy; Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering: Economics, Sociology and Psychology). Data were collected using a questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics, mean and standard deviation, Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, hierarchical and regression analyses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings There was a significant relationship between computer self-efficacy and use of electronic library resources (r = 0.13, p < 0.05). The result of the analysis showed that computer self-efficacy influenced undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in south-west Nigeria. Research limitations/implications The data for the research were obtained from undergraduates in the selected faculties in the six federal universities except for two faculties which did not have some departments that were common to the selected faculties. Practical implications The findings indicated that computer self-efficacy improves the use of electronic library resources for academic purposes. It therefore encourages the library management to provide the necessary support and training for the undergraduates to acquire the technical skills required for the acquisition of computer self-efficacy. This has greater influence on undergraduates’ ability to use the computer maximally to access electronic library resources for academic purposes. Social implications It will improve the undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources for academic purposes. This implies that the undergraduates will have access to information around the world that could be useful for development in and around their locality which will become easily accessible. Also, in this era of computer, it will encourage reading culture among undergraduates. This could inform policymakers on the need to provide more electronic library resources for libraries. Originality/value The study provides original data on computer self-efficacy as a predictor of undergraduates’ use of electronic library resources in federal universities in south-west Nigeria. This can provide valuable indicator for library managements considering enhanced utilisation of electronic library resources.

The Use of Electronic Library Resources in Nigerian Universities

A number of studies have focused on the use of e-libraries, drawing numerous conclusions about the use and challenges facing e-libraries. This article therefore presents a review of the literature on the use of e-libraries in universities with a particular interest in Nigerian institutions. The article examines the concepts and the antecedents of electronic libraries. The review shows that a number of approaches have been used to assess the use of e-libraries, and that computer self-efficacy has an impact on the performance while technological innovation, by extension, enhances the satisfactory use of electronic library systems. In addition, the review underscores the fact that there are few studies that pay attention to the satisfactory usage of electronic libraries in Nigerian universities. The article thus concludes by restating the important roles those e-libraries play in information service delivery. Recommendations for further studies on the mode and modalities with which effective training is conducted especially in the area of information search skills are made.

Electronic vs. Print Resources: A Survey of Perception, Usage and Preferences Among Central University Undergraduate Students

The study adopted a cross-sectional survey approach to examine the perception, usage and preferences of electronic and print resources among University Students. The study sought to determine the knowledge of students on electronic library resources, their value for electronic and print resources, ascertain the perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and intended use these resources. Results from the study indicated that majority 134(57.0%) of the respondents always preferred print resources format for their academic work while 101(43%) occasionally preferred the electronic resource format for academic work. The findings of the study are critical to the implementation of policies and procedures geared toward sensitizing students, faculty and other stakeholders to the benefits of increasing students’ knowledge and use of electronic library resources. The study is envisaged to aid in strategic planning and investments pertaining to these resources and provide recommendations to improve knowledge and use of these resources within university.

Analyzing Demographic Influence, Usage and Availability of Electronic Resources among Baptist Theological Seminary Students, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

The primary aim of the study is to identify whether there are any significant or major differences among demographic variables such as gender, age group, faculty, usage and experience of users among the Baptist Theological Seminary student of Ogbomoso. The study adopted a descriptive survey research method. Questionnaires were used as the main instrument for data collection after a detailed literature review. The questionnaire was designed and distributed to 238 respondents in Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. The sampling method adopted for this study was Systematic Random Technique. The researcher made use of 238 and 207 were returned, given a response rate of 87.0%. Simple percentage was used to analyze the collected questionnaires through presentations of simplified tables. The findings revealed that there was significant relationship between availability of electronic resources and utilization of electronic library resources. Demographic factors were also analyzed to see if it has effect on usage of electronic library resources. There was no significant relationship between gender and use of electronic library resources though the respondents were more of males. The internet, e-journals and other electronic resources were important sources of information for the students. Majority of users centered their usage of electronic resources on Internet usage only. Students’ demographic factors should not be a barrier to e-resources use and as a result, students of all ages and gender should endeavor to acquire knowledge required to enable them make effective use of online library resources anytime and anywhere. Both young and old students should be encouraged and sensitized on the benefits available in the use of library electronic resources. The great majority of the faculties use printed sources more than e‐sources, but they also use e‐sources quite frequently. Use is mostly of books, websites and printed journals. It was also found that the use of e‐resources is higher in some faculties than others and also, the results indicated that the use of e‐resources is positively influenced by the respondents’ perceived usefulness of resources, the convenience of access to the sources and their academic productivity. This study would hopefully benefit the academicians, researchers, policy makers, and practitioners that has interest on electronic library resources and demographic related data.

An Investigation into the Knowledge and Use of Electronic Library Resources in Jamaican Community Colleges

ABSTRACTThis study used a quantitative survey to investigate the knowledge and use of online databases and the library's online public access catalog by final-year business associate degree students in five selected Jamaican community colleges. The study sought to determine students’ knowledge of electronic library resources, their value for electronic and print resources, the purposes for which students use electronic library resources, the influences on student use of electronic library resources, and the effects of training and instruction. Results from the study indicated that students are increasingly using Internet search engines for research purposes rather than online databases. Results also indicated that electronic library resources such as the OPAC are being underutilized by community college students. It was evident that proper instructional guidance is needed and welcomed by students. The findings of the study are critical to the implementation of policies and procedures geared toward sensitizing school administrators, library professionals, and other stakeholders to the benefits of increasing students’ knowledge and use of electronic library resources. Data will aid administrators in strategic planning and investments pertaining to these resources, and provide recommendations to improve knowledge and use of these resources within libraries. The research illustrates the special needs of community college students in Jamaica, particularly relating to needed instructional programs, in an effort to impart knowledge and promote the use of electronic library resources in these colleges.

Demonstrating Our Value: Tying Use of Electronic Resources to Academic Success

Dr. Stephanie Havron Rollins, Instruction Coordinator, and Ed Cherry, Systems Librarian at Samford University, presented the results of their research that measured the use of library electronic resources and academic success as defined by a higher grade point average (GPA). They presented statistics on student database log-ins by college, department, and major; student log-ins by level, class, and gender; and student undergraduate GPA by department and class. Research implications were discussed along with future research ideas. Their findings demonstrate to library stakeholders the impact that the library has on student success.

Positive Perceptions of Access to Online Library Resources Correlates with Quality and Quantity of Scholarly Publications among Finnish Academics

A Review of: &#x0D; Vakkari, Pertti. “Perceived Influence of the Use of Electronic Information Resources on Scholarly Work and Publication Productivity.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 59.4 (Feb. 15, 2008): 602-12. &#x0D; &#x0D; Objective – To investigate the relationship between academics’ use of library electronic resources and their opinions regarding how these resources have impacted their work, and to investigate the association between this perceived influence and publication productivity during the previous two years.&#x0D; &#x0D; Design – Two specific questions added to an annual online user-survey questionnaire; additional data mined from survey&#x0D; &#x0D; Setting – Twenty-two Finnish Universities served by FinELib, the Finnish Electronic Library.&#x0D; &#x0D; Subjects – Seven hundred and sixty seven academic staff and full-time doctoral students.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods – A questionnaire was posted in April 2007 on FinELib’s homepage and advertised on each university library’s main page, and focused on respondents’ experience in the previous two years. Participants selected answers either from a list of category choices, or, when measuring perceptions, by rating agreement with statements along a four-point scale.&#x0D; Controlled variables measured were the respondents’ academic position, their discipline, membership in a research group, whether their literature use was discipline-specific or interdisciplinary, and their perception of the availability online of the relevant core literature.&#x0D; &#x0D; The independent variable measured was the scholars’ perception of the impact of the use of electronic library resources on their work. The dependent variable measured was the scholars’ self-reported publications in the two years preceding the survey.&#x0D; &#x0D; Main Results – Participants reported a positive impact on the efficiency of their work, most strongly in areas of ease of access, with lesser impacts in the range of materials available to them and the ease with which they can keep up-to-date in their field. To a lesser extent, the scholars perceived a positive impact on the quality of their work. &#x0D; &#x0D; Upon analysis, the study found that access to online library resources improved scholars’ work by the interconnected mechanisms of the ease of access and breadth of resources available positively impacting their ability to keep abreast of new developments and inspiring new ideas.&#x0D; &#x0D; The study found mixed results between perceived improved access and number of publications. Although representation in national publications was not significantly impacted, there was a positive correlation with the number of international publications. There were interesting differences among disciplines and academic status, with a decreased impact among scholars in the humanities, and greater impact among lower-status or novice academics.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion – There are positive perceptions of the accessibility of online information and of its impact on the quality of work, and a correlation between these perceptions and the number of international publications, thus validating the investment in providing access to digital information resources to Finnish academics.

Impact of research cultures on the use of digital library resources

AbstractCurrently, there exists little evidence concerning how various characteristics of research cultures are associated with patterns of use of electronic library resources. The present study addresses this gap by exploring how research‐group membership, across‐fields scattering of literature, and degree of establishment of research area are related to patterns of digital library use. The analytic dimensions are derived from Richard Whitley's (1984) theory of the social and intellectual organization of academic fields. The article represents a first attempt to operationalize Whitley's concepts in a large‐scale study of e‐resources use. The data used in the study were gathered in 2004 by the Finnish Electronic Library (FinElib) through a nationwide Web‐based user questionnaire (N = 900). Membership in a research group significantly increased searching in journal databases, the importance of colleagues as sources of information about electronic articles and journals, and the use of alert services. A significant interaction effect was found between degree of across‐fields scattering of relevant resources and degree of establishment of research fields. A high degree of across‐fields scattering of relevant literature increased the number of journal databases used mainly in less established research areas whereas it influenced the use of journal databases less in established fields. This research contributes to our picture concerning the complex set of interacting factors influencing patterns of use of e‐resources.

Researching Latin America: A Survey Of How The New Generation Is Doing Their Research

This article reports the results of a pioneering and in-depth survey of the research and information-seeking behavior of the student members of the Latin American Studies Association living in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The results suggest that the new generation of Latin Americanists in the universities surveyed are confident in their abilities to carry out research on the region within their respective disciplines. However, most of these students have not received formal instruction by course instructors or librarians on how to carry out their research on Latin America. Use of the Internet as a research resource is popular but has not replaced the use of the library and long-standing research strategies such as footnote-chasing. While the reported use of library electronic resources is very high, awareness of Latin America-specific and electronically-available research tools such as HLAS, HAPI, and LAPTOC is low. The survey is the first step in reassessing the ever-changing needs and research patterns of this cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary group of academic library users and future leaders in Latin American studies.

Availability of a virtual learning environment does not compensate for the lack of a physical facility

A virtual learning environment (VLE), including access to on-line journals, was set up in support of a new medical curriculum delivered at two campuses. We evaluated student perceptions and use of the VLE including the library facilities using several qualitative and quantitative data methods and the results were triangulated. Paper copies of set texts are provided at each site; however, one site also has a traditional library for the training of professions allied to medicine. As the teaching was identical at each site, this gave us the opportunity for a study exploring the effect of having a physical library facility on the use of the VLE. Although ten-fold more loans were made from the library with the medical sources than from the other site, use of the VLE was very similar at both sites, suggesting that reduced access to hard copy books and journals was not compensated for by increased use of electronic library resources. As expected, training, ease of navigation and access to the VLE were very important to student satisfaction.

Full stream ahead: database instruction through online videos

As the use of electronic library resources increases, the demand for online support also multiplies. Information literacy and 24/7 customer support are some of the urgent issues related to research in an electronic environment that many libraries are trying to address today. This article describes an approach in meeting these challenges, the Let‐It‐V (Learning E‐Resources Through Instructional Technology Videos) project at the Texas A&amp;M University Libraries. This study combines the use of screen‐captured videos and a streaming media encoder to produce topic‐specific videos for task‐oriented demands. It is visual, interactive, and seeks to provide just‐in‐time solutions at a point of need. On‐demand streaming is a viable, cost‐effective alternative for low bandwidth delivery of video‐enabled library instruction. The technologies involved, key development issues, lessons learned and their implications for distance learning are discussed.