Awareness and Use of E-Resources by the PhD Scholars (Full-time) of the School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai

Abstract

E-Resources, available in different file formats and in multi-variety forms, have captured the attention of the research scholars in the recent years, thanks to the vast digital resources made available in Universities. This study attempts to trace out the awareness and use of e-resources by the full time Ph.D scholars of four departments of School of Chemistry at Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. A sample size of 80 scholars was selected by random sampling method. The data required for the study was collected through a questionnaire. The findings of the study: 49 (65%) respondents locate information in the web with the help of Search Engines. Google has become the most popular search engine among the full time Ph.D scholars (92%). Keyword search is the favourite search strategy (40%). 31(41%) respondents have less than 6 months experience in using e-resources and 20(27%) respondents possess more than two years experience in utilizing the e-resources. 72 (96%) respondents are aware of Internet, 64 (85%) respondents are aware of e-journals/e-books and 63 (84%) respondents are aware about websites/home pages. 80% of the respondents use Internet and 39% of the respondents have not used the virtual conference ever. 54(72%) respondents are expert in websites/Homepages and 42(56%) respondents are beginners in using e-journals/e-books. The major benefit of using e-resources is their ease of use (37%). 35 % of the respondents consider Lack of knowledge for using e-resources is the major constraint in using e-resources. Guidance from others is the main mode of learning about e-resources among the respondents (58%). 71% scholars want to attend some kind of training programme to learn to use e-resources. 15(20%) respondents need training in skills to get required information from various e-journals. Connectivity problem is the topmost limiting factor for 49% of the respondents and Lack of time is the major limiting factor for 23% of the respondents.

Keywords: E-resources, Search Engines, Search Strategy, Awareness of e-resources, Learning Modes

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