Utilization of E-Resources by Research Scholar of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur: A Study

 ¹Research Scholar, School of Studies in Library & Information Science, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.) 492010 India

²Sr. Assistant Professor, School of Studies in Library & Information Science, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.) 492010 India

 *Corresponding Author E-mail:  hari197479@yahoo.in ; syadav_11@rediffmail.com

Abstract

The presented research article is related to the use and awareness of e-resources by research scholars of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur. Main objective of the study is to find out the awareness and use of e-resources among the Research Scholars, to explore the purpose for which the research scholar uses the e-resources, to find out the frequency of usage of e-resources, assessing satisfaction with the use of e-resources among research scholars, to examine the various problems faced by the research scholar, and to give suggestions for improvement. The purpose of the study is based on primary data collected from Research Scholars of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur. The study found that users were aware of e-resources, e-journals being used the most by 79 (24.92%) users. Research scholars 84 (29.89%) are using e-resources the most for their research. 66 (18.54%) respondents are facing the problem of Poor connectivity (Low bandwidth) and also 45 (12.64%) are facing Server down or system problem. Researchers are saving time for their research by using e-resources 81 (24.55%).

Keywords: E-resources, JNKV, Research Scholar, e-books, e-Journals, database.

Introduction

The field of information and communication technology has progressed significantly, leading to revolutionary changes in all fields of knowledge. Libraries often referred to as storehouses of knowledge, have also kept pace with this development. With the explosion of information, users now have access to vast amounts of information, and the library plays a crucial role in preserving and serving their information needs. In the current context, libraries are the main facilitators in the scholarly communication system. In simple terms, libraries select, acquire process, store and retrieve information for current use, making them a place where books and other sources of information are available for teaching, research, and extension activities. The new generation of users prefers online resources as they want all the information at their fingertips. Electronic information resources have reduced the role of traditional libraries. Librarians must accept their responsibilities as information experts in this new paradigm. Electronic information resources provide better support for academic activities and research. Most academic libraries in higher education institutions offer specific electronic information facilities for their users.

E-resources are such sources of information in which information is found in electronic medium. To obtain the information, electronic devices like computers, mobile, etc. are required. There are a variety of electronic resources, including e-books, e-magazines, databases, e-newspapers, institute repositories, etc., that can be accessed through the internet and computer systems. Electronic resources, also known as e-information resources, include bibliographic databases, electronic reference books, and digitized collections of data.

According to AACR2, they are “materials consisting of data and/or computer program(s) encoded for reading and manipulation by a computer by the use of a peripheral device directly connected to the computer or remotely via a network such as the Internet” (as cited by Reitz, 2005, p. 244).

According to Gradman glossary, "A publication in digital format which must be stored and read on a computer device. There are two types: Direct access: these are physical objects such as CD-ROMs, diskettes, computer tapes, and computer cards, containing text, images, software, etc…"

Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur 

Government of India with the assistance of the State Government established the biggest multi campus university at Jabalpur, in the heart of India, named after the architect of modern India, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru based on the recommendations of Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on the concept of Establishment of Agricultural University. On October 2, 1964, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV) came into existence and was inaugurated by the then Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Smt.Indira Gandhi. The University had to part with the creation of sister universities Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, Chhattisgarh in 1987, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior, M.P. in 2008 and Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinay Science University, Jabalpur, M.P. in 2009. (JNKVV Jabalpur, n.d.)

Doctoral degree programs are being conducted in 11 subjects of Agriculture Faculty and 03 subjects of Agricultural Engineering Faculty. At present, the following subjects Agronomy, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Extension, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Agricultural Statistics, Plant Physiology, Vegetable Science, Fruit Science, Agro-forestry, Food Processing Technolgoy comes under the Agriculture faculty and the following subjects for Agricultural Engineering faculty includes Farm Machinery & Power Engineering, Processing & Food Engineering, Soil & Water Engineering. 

Literature Review

Eleto, Crescentia W., et al. (2023) examined the studies that looked at how postgraduate students at Rivers State University's Faculty of Education effectively used digital information resources. S5 and the Delos Reference Model served as the study's theoretical frameworks. 254 postgraduate students in the faculty made up the target population, and five objectives and related research questions served as the study's compass. There were two hundred postgraduate students in the accessible population, which was the sample that was taken. The research utilized a survey methodology, whereby information was gathered via a self-organized survey called the "Effective Utilization of Digital Information Resources Questionnaire." Calculations of frequency and percentage were used in data analysis.(Crescentia et al., 2023)

Naik M., Nagaraja et. al. (2023) the presented article focuses on the study of e-resources in colleges affiliated to Bangalore University, Bangalore. The main objectives of the study is to find out the usage of Internet, to find out the awareness and usage of e-resources, to identify the purpose and reasons of use of e-resources, to find out the search for e-resources and to find out the respondents' satisfaction on ICT. To identify the level. The findings of the study revealed that all the users were aware about the use of Internet and e-resources. The study recommended that users are educated to use Boolean logic operators.(Naik, 2023)

Rekha and Sanjeeva N.(2023) the article deals with the use of e-resources by students and research scholars in the library of National Institute of Technology Karnataka. The main objective of the study is to determine the awareness about e-resources, sources of awareness, rating of e-resources, features of e-resources and prioritization of resources. Questionnaires were distributed to 150 respondents, out of which answers were received from 144 respondents. The findings of the study reveals that, out of 144 respondents, 90 (62.5%) are males and 44 (37.5%) are females. Majority of the respondents were research scholars 52 (36.11%), followed by graduate students 48 (33.33%) and post graduate students 44 (30.55%). Out of total 144 respondents, majority of the respondents 124 (86.11%) are aware about e-resources and 24 (16.66%) of them are not aware of it.(Rekha & Neerari, 2023)

Iqbal,  Humaira et al. (2022) the presented article was to find out the use of e-resources by six e-library students of Punjab. It has used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model and explored students access to e-collections, frequency of use, and problems related to access to e-resources. The numbers of respondents were 250 and descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that e-library is very helpful in their studies and they are getting benefit from it. It came as a suggestion that library staff should focus on solving problems such as lack of computers and lack of access to e-resources outside the library.(Humaira Iqbal et al., 2022)

Jestin K. J., Joseph and Sornam S. Ally (2016) they concluded to explore the awareness, availability and usage of e-resources by faculty members of engineering colleges in Kerala. This article examines the barriers faced by users while using e-resources and their satisfaction level. In this, 375 questionnaires were distributed to the users through online mode, in which responses were received from 240 respondents. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the faculty members are well aware of e-resources and most of them are using e-resources at least once a week. The study also revealed that faculty members are facing difficulties like not knowing the passwords, virus threat, poor internet connectivity, lack of time and availability of e-resources limited to the campus.(Jestin K J & Ally Sornam, 2016)

Objectives of the Study

1. To find out the awareness and use of e-resources among the Research Scholars.

2. To explore the purpose for which the research scholar uses the e-resources.

3. To find out the frequency of usage of e-resources.

4. Assessing satisfaction with the use of e-resources among research scholars.

5. To examine the various problems and improvements faced by the research scholar.

Scope of the Study

The present study is limited to the Research Scholar of JNKV, Jabalpur. The study focuses on the awareness and availability and use of e-resources by the Research Scholars, problems faced while accessing e-resources, level of satisfaction of the users, appropriate suggestions to enhance the facilities and services.

Material and Methods

The respondents were the JNKV, Jabalpur research scholar users of the libraries under study. The sample size of this study consists of 91 research Scholars. A proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to have a sample proportional to the size of the Ph.D. Scholar library users of the libraries under study for data collection. MS Excel was used to enter and analyze the data obtained. Descriptive statistics like frequency distribution, percentage, etc. are presented in the form of tables and figures for analysis purpose.

The questionnaire was distributed to all the research scholars. In total 130 questionnaires were distributed among them and the response rate was 91 (70 %), and asked to fill the same by allowing sufficient time.

Table 1 : Gender-wise distribution of respondents

Figure. 1 Gender-wise distribution

Table no. 1 shows, out of 91 respondents, female holds 64 percent and male holds 36 percent use of e-resource.

Table 2: Subject-wise distribution of respondents

Figure. 2 Subject-wise distribution

            According to table no. 2, subject wise distribution, the maximum number of research scholars in Agronomy are 14 (15.38%), Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry 10 (10.99%) and Genetics & Plant Breeding, Fruit Science 9 (9%) respectively.

Table 3: Frequency of Library Visit

            Table no. 3 shows that the frequency of the respondents visiting the library is Twice a Week 24 (26.37%), Rarely/Occasionally 23 (25.27 %), Once in two days 20 (21.98 %), Daily 19 (20.88 %), Once a month 5 (5.49 %).

Table 4: Frequency of Usage of Electronic Information resource

            From table no. 4 it is known that the frequency of use of e-resources by the respondents is Daily 59 (64.84 %), 2-3 times in a week 15 (16.48 %), Once in a week 6 (6.59 %), 2-3 times in a month 4 (4.4. %), Once in a month is 6 (6.59 %), other is 1 (1.10 %).

Table 5: Accessibility of Electronic Information resource

            Table no. 5  indicates that the places where respondents use e-resources the most are Department 48 (21.92 %), Library 66 (30.14 %), Hostel 43 (19.63 %) and Residence 39 (17.81 %) and computer lab 20 (9.13 %).

Table 6: Awareness and use of e-Resources

            The above table clearly shows the percentage of usage and awareness of e-resource is highest in e-books 54 (17.03 %), E-Journals 79 (24.92 %), E-Thesis/Dissertation 56 (17.67 %), E-Magazines 48 (15.14%), E-Full Text Databases 22 (6.94%), E- Statistical Databases 31 (9.78%) and lowest usage is in other e-resources 27 (8.52%). Overall, majority of the respondents were aware of the E-Journals, e-books, E-Thesis/Dissertation.

Table 7: Purpose of using e-Resources

            It is clear from Table No. 7, the purpose of using e-resource by research scholars is For Ph.D. thesis 84 (29.89 %), Scanning of latest articles published in current journals 48 (17.08%), Writing Assignments 33 (11.74), To read Thesis/dissertation and Journals 48 (17.08 %) and For basic scientific and technical information 51 (18.15).

Table 8: Problems faced while searching e-Resources

            The above table no.8 depicts that respondents are facing difficulties in accessing e-resources. Mainly due to Poor connectivity (Low bandwidth) 66 (18.54 %), Server down or system problem 45 (12.64 %), Retrieval of irrelevant/ junk information 33 (9.27 %), Change in URL 24 (6.74 %), Unfamiliar of database 13 (3.65), Frequent power failure 12 (3.37), Unfamiliar file formats 12 (3.37%) and others 28 (65.45 %).

Table 9: Benefits that you get due to the use of electronic resource

            The benefits research scholars are getting from using e-resources are shown in table no. 9. In this, most of the users get benefits like Time saving 81 (24.55 %), Better source of Information 78 (23.64 %), Access to up-to-date information 63 (19.09 %), easily portability of e-resources 45 (13.64 %) and 24/7 Access to electronic resources 63 (19.09 %).

Recommendation

·       From the findings of the study it is known that 79 (24.9 %) e-journals are being used the most. The percentage of other e-resources is quite useful. There is a need to make the users aware of the usefulness of e-full text databases and e-databases for research, so that their use can be maximized.

·       The study reveals most of the problems faced in using e-resources are due to poor connectivity and server down. Whereas today's era is the era of internet and technology. The server of the firm from which the e-resource is being taken should be very strong and the internet connectivity should be of high speed so that the user does not face such problems.

Conclusion

From the study, the frequency of using e-resources is known. Most of the e-resources are being used in the library. It is used extensively in departments including libraries. Researchers mostly engage themselves in e-resources for their thesis work. Most of the problems arising in accessing e-resources are due to poor connectivity. Besides, problems related to server down are also occurring. Research scholars are saving time in their research by using e-resources and e-resources are used as better source of information. E-resources are very important for research in today's vast technology. The library has to compile e-resources according to its users. Most of the libraries have e-resources, the use of which requires computers, internet bandwidth, these days even academic libraries are spending a good amount of money. So that the users do not face any shortage related to e-resources.

​References

Crescentia, W., Chidaka, O., & Princess, J. (2023). Effective Utilization of Digital Information Resources by Postgraduate Students in Faculty of Education in Rivers State University. 2(4).

Humaira Iqbal, Riffat-un-Nisa Awan, & Ghazanfar Ali. (2022). Exploring Students’ Use of E-Resources in the E-Libraries of the Punjab. International Journal of Distance Education and E-Learning, 7(2), 35–45. https://doi.org/10.36261/ijdeel.v7i2.2437

Jestin K J, J., & Ally Sornam, S. (2016). Use of E-Resources By the Faculty Members of Engineering Colleges in Kerala: a Survey. International Journal of Digital Library Services IJODLS | Geetanjali Research Publication, 31(April), 3. www.ijodls.in

JNKVV Jabalpur. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2024, from http://jnkvv.org/#

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