Use of Electronic Journals by the Research Scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering, A.M.U.

Aligarh: A Comparative Study

Monawwer Eqbal Librarian

Integrated Academy Of Management Technology (INMANTEC)

Ghaziabad –UP

NACLIN, November 20-23, 2007

Statement of the Problem

The problem selected for the present study is entitled “Use of e-journals by the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering in AMU, Aligarh: A Comparative Study”.

Statement of the Problem

Statement of the Problem

Electronic Journals are very important source for the scientific research and development. E-journal are becoming vital to carry any meaning full research. This resource is widely used by R& D workers and other users of the libraries to carry out day-to-day qualitative research, education and knowledge.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of electronic journals available to libraries for their users to access. More titles are becoming available via publishers and subscription agents. There is a common view amongst librarians that libraries are forsaking traditional print resources in favor of electronic resources. With the application of IT, particularly Internet, there has been a shift in comparative growth from traditional print journals to electronic journals. Print journal refers to conventional print editions published and distributed as paper copies while online editions refer to journal editions available online through computer networks (Internet). The journal editions available online are called e-journals.

E-journal

  Can be used simultaneously by more than one user;

   Provide timely access;

  Support searching capabilities;

  Accommodate unique features such as links to related items;

Save physical storage space;

Contain multimedia information;

Do not require physical processing;

Environment friendly;

Automatically generate alerting and other secondary services

Characteristics of electronic journals

The speed of publication and delivery of the journal issues is much faster than the print versions

Inclusion of audio and video base text in the journal issues is possible.

To access and retrieve relevant articles, a good number of search engines are available

Downloading and printing of relevant articles at the end user workstations is possible.

Alerting the users regarding the publication of new issues and articles of their interest becomes earlier in electronic media

E-journals have solved the problems of libraries such as space, shelving, missing issues, missing pages and cutting of the pages, etc

Help in minimizing the problems related to the conservation and preservation of journals.

Advantages of electronic journals

Why NOT e-Journal?… Users’ Views

May be difficult to read and browse

May be problems with printing

May be need for some special equipment

May be difficult to access several e-Journals at the same time

Lack of awareness

Why e-Journals? … Library views

Save space Users don’t need to visit the library No lost or damaged titles Can provide adjustable fonts etc. for disabled users Instant delivery of ‘purchased’ books Can be used to provide access to out of print materials Save cost

Why NOT e-Journals?… Library views

Need for special equipment possibly Lack of standardization (reading devices, contracts with suppliers etc.)  Metadata issues not always clear Need to ‘integrate’ properly with other items in the collection Need for promotion Choosing an e-Journal supplier

Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh Muslim University was established by the Act of Indian Parliament. It is located in the city of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Aligarh Muslim University is a fully residential academic institution of International repute offering more than 250 Courses in traditional and modern branch of education. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a great reformist of his age felt the need for modern education, started a school as back as 1875 which later became a College under the title of Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College and finally Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

Faculty of Engineering AMU

Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology (ZHCET) is a prestigious and one of the best engineering college in India, affiliated with the Aligarh Muslim University.Its aims to provide a high quality, effective and efficient learning environment at all levels of higher education, which is internationally competitive and professionally relevant. The college is being considered as a center of excellence in the various fields of engineering & Technology. The College offers courses in Undergraduate as well as Postgraduate level. There are 8 academic departments associated:

        Department of Electronics Engineering

        Department of Computer Engineering

        Department of Electrical Engineering

        Department of Mechanical Engineering

        Department of Civil Engineering

        Department of Architecture

        Centre for Petroleum Studies

  ZHCET have great resources, more than 1,500,000 books and journals etc. Apart from that all the departments have the facility of online subscription to desired journals through INDUST

Faculty of science, AMU

Faculty of science is one of the oldest faculties of AMU. The Faculty provides research, postgraduate/ undergraduate program. It comprises various departments like Chemistry, Computer Science, Zoology, Botany Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, and Operational Research. Each department has separate seminar library and have Internet facility for the benefit of researchers.

 

Objectives of the Study:

To examine the level of information of e-journal services among the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering in A.M.U., Aligarh.

To know the place from where research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering access e-journals.

To find out the purpose of using e-journals services.

To know the problems faced by the research scholars while using e-journals

To know the availability of e-journals facilities in departmental labs and computer center, A.M.U., Aligarh

To find out the different types of e-journals packages available in Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering A.M.U., Aligarh.

Continued………

Objectives of the Study:

To understand various factors, which discourage research scholars in using e-journals services.

To find out the effectiveness of e-journals.

Limitations of the Study

Major limitations:

(i)     The present study consists of only the e-journals users.

(ii)    The geographical area is restricted in Faculty of Science and

Engineering AMU, Aligarh only.

Hypotheses:

(i)            

1. Most of the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering in AMU, Aligarh are aware of e-journals.

2. The research scholars of Faculty of Engineering are more aware than the research scholars of Faculty of Science

3. Most of the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering in AMU, Aligarh are not satisfied with the service of e-journals related their subject/ discipline.

4. Most of the research scholars of Faculty of Science And Faculty of Engineering are facing problems while accessing e-journals.

5. Most of the research scholars are aware of UGC-INFONET consortium.

6. Most of the research scholars realize the need of user training.   

Methodology:

Methodology has its own importance in scientific investigation, because objectivity in any research investigation cannot be obtained unless it is carried out in a very systematic and planned manner. Scientific investigation involves careful and proper adoption of research design, use of standardized tools and tests identifying adequate sample by using appropriate sampling techniques and procedures for collect data and then after careful tabulation, the use

of appropriate statistical technique for analyzing the data

Tools Used for the Study

Questionnaire Method was used as the tool for the study for

collecting data

Data Collection Procedure

Investigator visited Faculty of Science and Faculty

of Engineering AMU, Aligarh and approached the

research scholars to collect the necessary data.

Questionnaires were distributed to the research

scholars and filled questionnaires were collected

either on the spot or after two or three days

Data Analysis and findings

The data collected through questionnaires were organized, tabulated and interpreted by using simple statistical method. A total number of 140 questionnaire were distributed to the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering, out of which 100 questionnaire were distributed among the research scholars of Faculty of Science and 40 among the research scholars of faculty of Engineering in AMU, Aligarh out of which only 72 filled questionnaire in Faculty of Science and 28 filled questionnaire in Faculty of Engineering were received back by investigator, because of incomplete response from the respondents, only 68 filled questionnaire in faculty of science and 26 filled questionnaire in faculty of Engineering AMU, Aligarh were selected for the analysis and interpretation of data

Major Findings

The major findings of the present survey are as follows

1 Awareness of e-Journal:

88.24% 0f RS in FOS are aware of e-journals and 11.76% are not aware, however in FOE 84.62% of RS are aware and 15.38% are not aware of e-Journals.

2 Place for accessibility of e-journals: 

It has been observed from the analysis of Table that, most of the research scholars in FOS, 75% and 73% in FOE access e- journals from computer center and 38% in FOS and 26.75% in FOE research scholars use their departmental lab to access e- journals.

2 Purpose of using e-Journals:

majority of research scholars in FOS 67.64% and 69.23% of FOE use e-Journals for research work. Whereas 35.29% in FOS use e- Journals to update knowledge and 23.7% in FOE use for study.

4 Frequency of using e-Journals: it is observed that 27.96% of FOS respondents and 15.39% of FOE respondents use e-Journals “Daily”. 36.76% of FOS and 57.69% of FOE respondents are using e-Journals

Continued------

Major Findings…..

2/3 times in a week”. Whereas 20.58% of FOS respondents and 15.38% of FOE respondents use e-Journals, “2/3 times in a month”. Only 14.70% of FOS and 11.54% of FOE respondents are using e-Journals “Occasionally

5 Awareness of UGC- INFONET:

A good number of research scholars in FOS i.e., 72.5% and 60.75% FOE research scholars are aware of UGC-INFONET e- journal consortium .

6 Source of information about e-Journals:

The analysis of data indicates that 57.35% in FOS and 23.75 of FOE research scholars get information about e-journals through colleagues. Whereas 69.23% of FOE and 30.88% of FOS research scholars acquire information through Internet.

7 Satisfaction level of e-Journals service provided by Maulana Azad Library : Most of the research scholars in FOS 63.23% and 80.76% in FOE are not satisfied with the e-Journal service provided by Maulana Azad Library

8 Search Engine used by researchers to access e-journals: The study revel that 82.35% of FOS respondents and 80.76% of FOE respondents use “Google” to search e-Journals. 27.94% of FOS respondents and 50.00% of FOE respondents using “Yahoo”. Whereas 11.76% of FOS and 7.69% of FOE respondents use “MSN”.

Major Findings…..

9 Source to locate and access e-Journals :

35.29% of FOS respondents and 30.76% of FOE respondents locate and access e-Journals through “Publisher website”. 10.29% of FOS respondents use “Link for e-database” to locate and access e-journals no respondents in FOE use “Link for e-database”. 41.17% of FOS and 46.15% of FOE respondents are using “consortium”. Whereas 57.35% of FOS and 50.00% FOE respondents use “search engine” to locate and access e-Journals

10 Method of reading full text e-Journals: 

study reveals that 30.88% of FOS respondents and 26.92% of FOE respondents “on the screen”. 36.76% of FOS and 42.30% of FOE respondents “print out on paper“. 48.52% of FOS and 30.76% of FOE respondents through “downloading in floppy”. 5.88% of FOS respondents and 7.69% of FOE respondents use “other methods” to read full text e-Journals .

11 e- Journals content in research work: It has been observed from the table that, no respondent of FOS and FOE include “complete” content of e- Journals in their research work, 51.47% of FOS (RS) and 69.24% of FOE RS include “most” content of e-journals in their research work.48.52% of FOS RS and 30.76% of FOE RS says that they use “A little” content of e-Journals in their research work

12 Value of information access through e-Journals: The analysis reveals that 52.95% of FOS respondents and 57.69% of FOE respondents indicate that

Continued------

Major Findings…… e- Journals are “Most helpful” in their research work. 32.34% of FOS and 34.62% of FOE

respondents “Helpful”. Whereas 14.71% of FOS and 7.69% of FOE respondents indicate that e-Journals are “Least helpful” in research. No respondent says that e-Journals are “not helpful

13 Problem faced in accessing e-Journals : 

75.00% of FOS RS and 73.07% of FOE RS faced problem in accessing e-Journals. While 25.00% of FOS and 26.03% of FOE not facing any problem in accessing e-Journals

14Types of problem in access e-Journals :

The analysis reveals 25.00% of FOS respondents and 26.92% of FOE respondents facing “Internet connectivity” problem in accessing e-Journals.23.52% of FOS and 62.38% of FOE clearly shows that 25.00% of FOS respondents and 26.92% of FOE respondents facing “Internet connectivity” problem in accessing e-Journals.23.52% of FOS and 62.38% of FOE respondents facing “Limited access terminals” problem. While 41.17%of FOS and 34.65% of FOE respondents suffers from “Slow speed” and 36.76% of FOS and 19.23% of FOE respondents are facing problem due to “Lack of training”.

15 Need of user training :

It is found that 63.24% of FOS and 65.38% of for respondents realize the need of Training. Whereas 36.76% of FOS and 34.62% of FOE respondents do not realizes the need of trainings

Continued------

Major Findings

15 Ways to make e-Journals facility efficient

Analysis highlight that to make e-Journals facility efficient 41.17% of FOS and 26. 92% of FOE respondents argue to make training programmes. 44.11% of FOS respondents and 11.53% of FOE respondents argue through cooperation from staff” 38.23% of FOS and 46.15% of FOE respondents emphasize on “To improve speed” where as 5.88% of FOS respondents and 3.84% of FOE respondents argue other facility to make e-journal facility efficient.

SUGGESTIONS

To provide e-journals facility efficiently and effectively number of nodes, terminals and printers must be increased in the computer center/departmental lab.

The faculty should start bulletin board services to inform the research scholars about new additions of e-Journals databases and consortium.

To reduce the slow downloading problem while accessing e-Journal, the lab should acquire high-speed Internet and intranet connection.

User training should be given for the proper exploitation of electronic resources. The faculty and library should organize regular workshops to enhanced usage of e-Journals.

Numbers of journals available through consortia should be increased to access more Journals in their respective fields. In order to increase use of e-Journals by scholars the faculty should give more assignment related to their research topic, so that they may be forced to exploit e-Journals services more efficiently. Computer lab and departmental lab staff must be skilled to navigate various electronic resources specially e-Journals by which they could provide better services to the user while they are facing any problem in access of e-Journals. Introduce proper feedback systems to know about proper use of e-Journals facility. Users studies should be conducted to know about electronic information needs of users as well as problems they are facing while searching information through e-Journals. Computer center/Departmental lab should provide printing facility of e-journals resources free or at a minimum cost.

TENABILITY OF HYPOTHESES

HYPOTHESIS-IMost of the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering in

AMU, Aligarh are aware of e-Journals. It is clear from the survey that most of the research scholars in faculty of Science and

Faculty of Engineering are aware of e-JournalsSo this hypothesis proved true.

HYPOTHSIS-IIThe research scholars of faculty of Engineering are more aware than the research

scholars of Faculty of Science.It is clear from the result of the survey that faculty of Science research scholars are

more aware of e-Journals than the Faculty of Engineering research scholars. So this hypothesis proved null.

HYPOTHESIS-IIIMost of the research scholars of faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering in

A.M.U, Aligarh are not satisfied with the service of e-Journals related their subject/discipline. It is clear from the results of survey that most of the research scholars of Faculty of

Science and Faculty of Engineering are not satisfied with the e-Journals service related to their subject/discipline

So this hypothesis is proved null Continued----

TENABILITY OF HYPOTHESES

HYPOTHESIS-IVMost of the research scholars of Faculty of Science and faculty of Engineering are

facings problem while accessing e-Journals.Table-14 shows that 75.23%of Faculty of Science and 73.7% of Faculty of Engineering research scholars are facing problems while accessing e-Journals such as lack of training, slow speed etc.So this hypothesis is proved true.HYPOTHEIS-V

Most of the research scholars of Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering are aware of UGC-INFONET consortium.It is clear that 72.5% of Faculty of Science research scholars and 60.75% of Faculty of Engineering research scholars are aware of UGC-INFONET e-journal consortium. So this hypothesis proved true.HYPOTHEIS-VI Most of the research scholars of Faculty of science and Faculty of Engineering realize the need of user training. It is clear that 63.23% of FOS and 65.38% of FOE research scholars realize the need of user training So this hypothesis proved as true.

Suggestions & Queries

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