Use
and Awareness of Electronic Resources by Library Users (Post Graduate Students)
of Science and Social Science in Selected College of Dhamtari District
(Chhattisgarh): A Study
Vinod
Kumar Khunte1, Santu Ram Kashyap2
1,2 SoS Library and
Information Science, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.)
vinodkhunte107@gmail.com,
sr_kashyap1976@rediffmail.com
Abstract
At the
global level, in publishing literature the electronic media is being
prioritized and highlighting the utility and importance of electronic
resources. The availability of electronic resources is essential for the
dissemination of information worldwide. This study aims to raise awareness and
promote the use of electronic resources among the postgraduate students of
MVVPG College Bhakhara, SGPG College Kurud, and BCSPG College Dhamtari, located
in the Dhamtari district. A total of 300 self-structured questionnaires were
distributed, and 278 responses were received. The data was collected through
stratified random sampling. The respondents included 229 females and 49 males.
The study observed that the postgraduate students in both science and social
science uses substantial number of electronic resources. The satisfaction rate
of postgraduate students with electronic resources is 92%, with 10% being
extremely satisfied.
Keywords
Colleges, Electronic Resources, P.G. students, Science and
Social Science, Dhamtari Distric, Chhattisgarh.
Introduction
In this era of information technology, technology has been
incorporated into information processing at such a rapid pace that is has
occurred within a short period of time, the nature of information processing
and the medium to access the information has changed.
In today's world, information has moved beyond
its traditional physical form and adopted an electronic format.
Information is presented in a variety of electronic media and
resources, making them the most current form of information.
“Electronic resources, or e-resources, refer to digital
information and materials accessed and utilized through various devices, such
as computers, smartphones, tablets, and e-readers. These resources include
e-books, e-journals, online databases, multimedia materials, and other forms of
digital content.”
SELECTED COLLEGES OF DHAMTARI DISTRICT
1. Maharshi Ved Vyas Govt. PG College, Bhakhara
(CG): Maharshi Ved Vyas Govt. PG College, located in the village of
Bhakhara in Dhamtari district, was established in 2008. The
college is affiliated with Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University,
Raipur, and is renowned for providing higher education to rural students; it
offers courses in arts, science and commerce. The college has a
good library with substantial collection of both print and electronic
resources available to users.
2. Sant Guru Ghasidas Govt. PG College, Kurud (CG): Sant Guru Ghasidas
Government PG College Kurud, established in 1984 and affiliated with Pandit
Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur, is one of the most popular colleges in
the Dhamtari district. The college offers undergraduate
and postgraduate courses in Arts, Humanities, Science, and
Social Sciences, and also has a well-equipped library with a
variety of printed and electronic resources.
3. Babu Chhotelal SrivastavaGovt. PG College Dhamtari (CG): B.C.S. Govt. PG
College, Dhamtari Stand for Babu Chhotelal Srivastava Postgraduat College
Dhamtari. The collage was named after the renowned freedom fighter Babu
Chhotelal Shrivastava in 1995, in honor of his leagacy. The college is
affiliated with Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University, Raipur, and is
located in the main city of Dhamtari. The college offers
postgraduate courses on arts, science, humanities and social science subjects,
as well as a well-maintained library with both print and electronic
resources.
Review of Literature:
Mishra, Shubhamand and Sharma, F.L. (2020) presented
their research on the utilization of e-resources
among postgraduate students studying at selected agricultural
colleges in Rajasthan. Based on their use of e-resources, students were divided
into three groups. A total of 63.89% of the students who use
e-resources were classified as high users, 34.44%
as normal users, and 1.67% as low users.
Joel,
Anthonia Peace (2020)
conducted research on the awareness and use of electronic resources among 259
postgraduate students at Maiduguri University of Borno State. The data was
collected using a self-designed structured questionnaire. Based on the results
obtained from the data analysis, it was found that the students are aware of
electronic resources such as e-journals, e-books, e-mails, e-databases,
e-magazines, e-serials, e-dissertations, etc., and use them as per their need.
Ankrah,
Ebenezer, and Atuase, Diana (2018) investigated the use of electronic
resources among the postgraduate students at Cape Coast University. The study
included total 975 postgraduate students, and the findings showed that 73% of
them were aware of and use electronic resources, while 27% were not.
Kashyap, Santu Ram (2017), conducted a survey to find the
use of e-resources by PG students of Govt.Nagarjuna PG science college Raipur.
In this study, it has been found that most students use e-resources
to obtain study-related information, with 70.64 per cent indicating
satisfaction with e-resource use, 16.99 per cent indicating very satisfaction,
5.97 per cent indicating dissatisfaction, and 6.46 per cent indicating Unsure
about satisfaction.
Chandra, V. and Murugan, C. (2017) Their study explored the use of
e-resources by postgraduate students at the College of Arts and
Sciences, Coimbatore District. A total of 400
questionnaires were distributed for data collection, out of which 375
were received. The results of the study show that e-resources were being
used very effectively.
Singh,
Jagjit (2016)
examined how postgraduate students at Doaba College in Jalandhar used
electronic resources. He found that the majority of the 90 postgraduate
students used electronic materials. Electronic resources were found essential
for the study and research by 23.34% of students, important by 57.78%, not
important by 13.34%, and very not important by 5.56%.
Jogan,
Sushma N. (2015)
studied on the use, access, and knowledge of electronic resources by
postgraduate students at Gulbarga University, information gathered from 50
postgraduate students by using a random sampling technique. The results showed
that 90.01 percent of students were satisfied with the role of the library and
the use of electronic resources.
M. V. Linda (2015). Conducted a survey on the use
of Internet services among the postgraduate students at
Government Baren College, Thalassery, Tamil Nadu. A self-made
questionnaire was used to collect data from 108 students. The results
of the study show that most students use Internet services for their
studies, and they were satisfied with the digital services the college
offers.
Objective
1. To find
out how frequently postgraduate students of science and social
sciences visit libraries in selected colleges of Dhamtari
district.
2. To investigate
the awareness and use of electronic
resources by postgraduate students of science and social
sciences in selected colleges of Dhamtari district.
3. A study was
conducted to determine the amount of time students of science and social
sciences spent accessing electronic resources in selected colleges in the
Dhamtari district.
4. To know the
satisfaction level with electronic resources
among postgraduate students of science and social sciences in
selected colleges of Dhamtari district.
Scope and Limitation
The scope of the present study is limited to Maharshi Ved Vyas Govt. PG
College Bhakhara, Sant Guru Ghasidas Govt. PG College Kurud and Babu Chhotelal
Shrivastva Govt. PG College Dhamtari District Chhattisgarh.
Methodology
The current study was based on the survey method. The
researcher developed a self -
structured questionnaire and used stratified
random sampling to
collect the data. A total of
300 questionnaires were distributed in the selected colleges and 278
responses were received. Data analysis
and graphs were prepared by using
MS Excel software.
Data
Analysis and Discussion
Table: 1 Gender
wise Distribution of Respondents
|
S. No.
|
Gender
|
Subject
|
|
Science
|
Social Science
|
|
1
|
Male
|
31
|
11.15%
|
18
|
6.47%
|
|
2
|
Female
|
134
|
48.20%
|
95
|
34.16%
|
|
Total (278)
|
165
|
59.35%
|
113
|
40.65%
|
Figure no.1 Gender wise Distribution of Respondents
The table above and Figure 1, show the gender wise distribution of respondents.
There are 278 respondents in total, of which 165
are postgraduate students of science subjects, including 31 are male
and 134 female. Similarly, there are 113 postgraduate students of
social science, with 18 are male and 94 are female. Based on the
above data, it can be observed that the number
of post-graduate students in science subjects is significantly higher
than the number of post-graduate students in social science subjects.
Additionally, among all students, the number of females exceeds the number
of males.
Table: 2 Frequency of Library Visit by
Respondents
|
S. No.
|
Frequency
|
Subject
|
|
Science
|
Social Science
|
|
1
|
Daily
|
5
|
1.79%
|
4
|
1.43%
|
|
2
|
2-3 days in week
|
17
|
6.11%
|
23
|
8.30%
|
|
3
|
One in Month
|
9
|
3.23%
|
4
|
1.43%
|
|
4
|
as per need
|
134
|
48.20
|
82
|
29.51%
|
|
Total (278)
|
165
|
59.33%
|
113
|
40.67%
|
In the data
analysis of table and Figure 2, the total number of respondents is 278 of
which 165 are postgraduate students of sciences and 113 are
postgraduate students of social sciences. Based on the above table, it can
be deduced that most students visit the library to meet their needs. The
frequency of visiting the library is higher among postgraduate students of
science than the social science.
Figure .2 Frequency of Library Visit by Respondents
Table: 3 Uses and Awareness about E- Resources by Respondents
|
S.No.
|
Types of
e - Resources
|
Subject
|
|
Science
|
Social
Science
|
|
1
|
e book
|
133
|
47.84%
|
107
|
38.48%
|
|
2
|
e journal
|
73
|
26.55%
|
77
|
27.69%
|
|
3
|
e news paper
|
66
|
23.74%
|
59
|
21.22%
|
|
4
|
e reference book
|
78
|
28.05%
|
68
|
24.46%
|
|
5
|
e magazine
|
10
|
3.59%
|
06
|
2.15%
|
|
6
|
e research report
|
10
|
3.59%
|
04
|
1.43%
|
|
7
|
e- PG Pathshala
|
23
|
8.27%
|
49
|
17.62%
|
|
8
|
N List
|
54
|
19.42%
|
51
|
18.34%
|
|
9
|
e database
|
13
|
4.67%
|
05
|
1.79%
|
|
10
|
others
|
00
|
00%
|
00
|
00%
|
The
above table 3, displays uses and awareness of electronic resources among
postgraduate students. There are many electronic
resources such as e-books, e-journals, e-newspapers, e-reference books,
e-magazines, e-research reports, e-
PG Pathshala, N-lists, and e-data bases. Among these, awareness and
usage of e-books took priority in the survey and this report presents the
lowest level of awareness and usage of e-research report. The above table
reveals that the students of science are more likely to use electronic
resources than the students of social science.
Table: 4 Time Spend on E- Resources in a Day by Respondents
|
S.No.
|
Time Spend
|
Subject
|
|
Science
|
Social Science
|
|
1
|
0-30 min
|
12
|
4.31%
|
13
|
4.68%
|
|
2
|
30 min- 1 hours
|
42
|
15.10%
|
40
|
14.39%
|
|
3
|
1-2 hours
|
65
|
23.38%
|
49
|
17.65%
|
|
4
|
More than 2 hours
|
46
|
16.54%
|
11
|
3.95%
|
|
Total (278)
|
165
|
59.33
|
113
|
40.67%
|
Figure: 3 Time Spend on
e - Resources in a Day by Respondent
The
above Table 4 and Figure 3 show how much time respondents spend per day using electronic
resources. In total, there are 278 postgraduate students, 165 of whom
are studying science. Of these 165 students, a maximum of 65
spend 1-2 hours every day, and a minimum of 12 spend 0-30
minutes. Among the 113 postgraduate students in social science, 49
students spend 1-2 hours a day using electronic resources, and 11 students
spend more than two hours per day using electronic resources. Based on the
above table, it can be seen that the science students spend more time
using electronic resources than social science students.
Table: 5 Satisfaction
Level of e Resources by Respondents
|
S.No.
|
Satisfaction Level
|
Subject
|
|
Science
|
Social Science
|
|
1
|
More Satisfied
|
13
|
4.67%
|
18
|
6.48%
|
|
2
|
Satisfied
|
136
|
48.92%
|
92
|
33.11%
|
|
3
|
Unsatisfied
|
11
|
3.95%
|
2
|
0.72%
|
|
4
|
Don’t Know
|
5
|
1.79%
|
1
|
0.36%
|
|
Total (278)
|
165
|
59.33%
|
113
|
40.67%
|
Figure:4 Satisfaction Level of e Resources by
Respondent
The
above table 5 and figure 4, displays the satisfaction level of e –
resources among the respondents with the use of electronic resources. Among the
165 postgraduate students in science, the maximum number of students satisfied
with the use of electronic resource is 136. Of the remaining students 13 are
very satisfied, 11 are unsatisfied, and 5 do not know their level of
satisfaction. Among the 113 postgraduate students in Social Science, 92 are
satisfied, similarly, 18 are very satisfied, 2 are unsatisfied, and 1 student
does not know their level of satisfaction.
Finding
1.
The
present study found that the above three colleges have well-equipped libraries
and has a substantial number of electronic resources, and the facility of n list program is available in all
libraries.
2.
Most
postgraduate students are aware of electronic resources, and they use them
effectively.
3.
The
most popular electronic resource among postgraduate students is e-books.
4.
Electronic
resources are used for about 1-2 hours per day by postgraduate students.
5.
The
study found that 92% of postgraduate students are satisfied and 10% are very
satisfied with the use of electronic resources.
Result
and Discussion
The
use of electronic resources by 278 postgraduate students of Science and Social
Science at MVVPG College Bhakhara, SGPG College Kurud, and BCSPG College
Dhamtari under the Dhamtari district was analyzed. The results showed that the
postgraduate students are aware of electronic resources and are happy with
their use. Students can access electronic materials through a variety of media
thanks in large part to the campus library. Tables and figures have been used
to present the research and are mentioned above. The frequency of library
visits by postgraduate students is displayed in Table and Figure No. 2,
indicating that the majority of students use the library to meet their needs.
The use and knowledge of electronic resources are displayed in Table No. 3,
with e-books receiving the greatest level of awareness. The time spent on
electronic resources is displayed in Table No. 4 and Figure no. 3, indicating
that students use these resources on their daily basis. The degree of
satisfaction with electronic resources is shown in Table No. 5 and Figure No.
4, with a high 92% satisfaction score among postgraduate students. The
aforementioned study illustrates the knowledge, utilization, and level of
satisfaction of postgraduate students with electronic resources in the Dhamtari
district.
Conclusion
Based
on the findings, it was revealed that 229 of the 278 postgraduate students are
female and 49 are male. It is estimated that 77.70% of postgraduate students
use the library as needed. Of the students, 14.39% visit the library 2-3 days a
week, 4.68% visit one day a month, and 3.24% visit the library every day. There
is an adequate awareness of electronic resources among all the postgraduate
students, with e-books being the most commonly used. The average amount of time
postgraduate students spends using electronic resources is 1-2 hours. According
to presnt study conducted among postgraduate students, 92% of students are
satisfied with electronic resources, while 10% are extremely satisfied.
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