REVIEW OF LITERATURE
CHAPTER - II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Review of literature is a vital Pre-requisite for any social research as it shows well in advance the quantum of literature unfolded on a given subject along with its length and breadth. Though, several studies on e-learning and its resources in general and in academic libraries in particular, have been undertaken, studies on e-learning seems to have very limited in their strength, more particularly in India.
Some of such important studies that deserve to as review of literature:
Shukla & Mishra (2011)1 reported extent to which research scholars of institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University are aware of making use of e-resources to highlight the problems faced by them in accessing e-resources. Their views on usefulness of e-resources compared to that of print resources and the place form where they prefer to access information. The Research scholars prefer e-resources against print resources because of its various good features for their research progress and are looking in future to have more e-resource access within university campus with better internet connectivity.
Madhusudhan & Aggarwal (2011)2 opined under the title “Web-based online public access catalogues of IIT libraries in India: an evaluative study”. The purpose of the paper is to examine the various features and components of web-based online public access catalogues (OPACs) of IIT libraries in India with the help of specially designed evaluation checklist. The design/methodology/approach of various features of the web-based OPACs in six IIT libraries (IIT Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, Guwahati, and Roorkee) are evaluated. The evaluation approach taken was similar to that of Luong and Liew with minor modifications, comprising 122 dichotomous questions with 174 features, categorized as 11 broad categories.
Ali & Nisha (2011)3 study highlights on e-journals awareness and use among research scholars of Central Science Library; University of Delhi found that more than 60 percent of users in the Central Science Library are using e-journals weekly for the purpose of research. Print journals are also consulted by the users compared with e-journals. Keyword is the most popular search method for searching e-journals among research scholars, whereas the date of publication carries the least percentage among all the options. However, it is found that slow downloading of PDF files is the major problem that would discourage users while using e-journals.
Satpathy & Rout (2010)4 conducted a study under the title of “Use of E-resources by the faculty members with special reference to C.V. Raman College of Engineering (CVRCE), Bhubaneswar”. The aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the use of e-resources by the faculty members of CVRCE, Bhubaneswar, with a view to examine the exposure of faculty members to e-resources. The authors investigate the use of e-resources by the faculty members of CVRCE through a survey based on structured questionnaire. Various statistical methods have been used for data analysis. The study confirmed the faculty members are aware of the e-resources and various types of e-resource, e-database and e-journals. It suggests for the improvement in the access facilities with high internet speed and subscription to more e-resources by the central library of CVRCE, Bhubaneswar.
Raza & Upashyay (2010)5 examined the usage to e-journals by researchers at DU and AMU that most of the researchers are aware of e-journals and most of the researchers use them for their research purpose. Most of the researchers fully agree that with the usage of e-journal the quality of research work improves. Most of the researchers access e-journals in computer centre. It is found that lack of training is the obstacle in proper and full utilization of e-journals.
Natarajan, K. & Others (2010)6 carried out a survey of faculty members and research scholars on use and user perception of e-resources in Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. Despite availability of wide range of e-resources the frequency of their use was low. The reasons identified for this was lack of time, awareness and lack of subject coverage as well as slow downloading.
Ansari & Zuberi (2010)7 examined the use of electronic resources and services at University of Karachi. Majority of the study population in the university (97.1%) were able to use computers independently. The research results have shown that majority of academic populations studies indicate a high level of satisfaction with the emergence and use of electronic resources. Findings of the University of Karachi have indicated that the academicians are satisfied with available electronic resources. More than three-fifths (65.7%) of the study population are quite satisfied and 31.4% are unsatisfied. This shows that nearly all are quite satisfied.
Walmiki & Ramakrishnegowda (2009)8 reported in a survey of university libraries in Karnataka, outlined the status of ICT infrastructure of selected six university libraries. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the university librarians. The data collected include details of hardware infrastructure like availability of servers i.e. PC’s, Laptops, printers, scanners etc. Software facilities for automat ion of housekeeping operations, digital library activities are included in the survey. Availability of campus LAN and internet facilities to provide access to information sources are detailed in the study. The survey reveals that most of the libraries lack sufficient hardware and software facilities, and internet with required bandwidth. The university libraries have to plan, implement and develop ICT infrastructure to exploit the benefits of digital information environment.
Singh, K. P. & Others (2009)9 reported that the study of the current state-of-the-art and use, applications of ICT in LICs in Noida. The study is based on 25 LICs of public, government, corporate, public, and private enterprises in Noida. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire through mail/e-mail among the librarians of selected institutions. The study tries to find the opinion of the librarians about the barriers in application of ICT in LICs and their attitudes towards adopting the technology. The results show that lack of awareness, interest and initiation of library professionals towards ICT applications in the library are the major barriers of ICT applications in the LICs even though the attitude of the librarians towards ICT application/use in the LICs was very positive. The majority of LICs in Noida has good hardware, software facilities to some extent but ICT based services, and products are not reaching the users to the extent expected due to the problems of inadequate finance, infrastructure and trained library professionals leaving available ICT infrastructure underutilized. Therefore, it is essential that ICT resources should be enhanced, an ICT skilled staff should be increased or trained in using and handling ICT.
Sharma, Chetan (2009)10 examined the existence of various e-resources databases in Guru Gobind Singh, Indraprasth University Library, New Delhi. They also highlighted the preferences and importance of online resources among the teachers and research scholars.
Rao & Choudhury (2009)11 conducted a study under the title of “Availability of Electronic resources at NIT Libraries in India: A Study”. The objectives of the study were to investigate electronic resources available at National Institutes of Technology (NITs) libraries across the country. The electronic resources consist of online journals databases, COROM material and audio/video course materials. The survey finds majority of libraries use 11 to 15 number of online journals databases, whereas 25 percent libraries have the facility of more than 16 number of online journals databases. Very few libraries (20%) indicate that they have less than 10 online journals databases at their end. A total of 85 percent of libraries have the facilities of e-resources in CO-ROMs/OVOs from. About 90 percent of libraries obtain audio/video course materials. This study also reveals the zone-wise performance among NIT libraries in India with respect to electronic resources availability. The south zone (75%) libraries have better-off in compression with the other zones libraries.
Khan, A. M. & Others (2009)12 examined the use of e-journals and databases by faculty members and research scholars of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University, Delhi, India. All the respondents were aware of the availability of these resources and largely used them for reference purposes in their research work and studies. The degree of usefulness and utilization of online databases was high among the respondents.
Kamba, M. A. (2009)13 e-learning is self-paced, provides consistent content, faster and works anywhere at any time for learners. The instructional materials are easily updated and permit the use of multimedia which leads to reinforced learning through the use of video, audio, quizzes and other forms of interaction. As the world is changing, the learning scenario is changing with it i.e. the world with the introduction of information and communication technology, which gives room to the new concept called e-learning. E-learning can improve retention, provide immediate feedback and allows learners to customize learning materials to meet their individual needs.
Joteen, R. K. & Others (2009)14 carried out a survey under the title “Use of internet based e-resources at Manipur University: a survey”, described on the use of the electronic information focusing on the internet services by the users of Manipur University Library. Furthermore they examine the utilization purpose, difficulties and satisfaction level of users about internet based e-resource service provided by the library. A structured questionnaire was randomly distributed among 800 user of the library comprising of PG students, research scholars, teacher and other non teaching staff member during April 2006 April 2007. They concluded that low speed internet access, erratic power supply and lack of required full text journals are problem with regard to the user of internet based e-resource.
Chirra & Madhusudhan (2009)15 assessed the use of e-journals by doctoral research scholars, the study reveals that 100 percent (96) of the respondents are aware of the e-journals and access the UGC Infonet Digital Library Consortium through GUL and IC website. Majority of users (98 percent) use UGC-Infonet e-journals for their research work (thesis). The most common problem faced by the respondents is that there is difficulty in accessing full text and a majority (95 percent) of the respondents replied that more journals are needed.
Baljinder & Verma (2009)16 examined the use of electronic resources and services at the central library of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. The study showed that most of the users 88% were aware of the e-resources and services. Most of the users 71% preferred to use both print and electronic formats, 17.45% electronic only and 11.52% print. It was also indicated that the users were accessing these resources from hostels and departments more as compared to the library resulting in decreased users' visits to the library.
Agarwal & Dave (2009)17 have studied the use of internet by the scientists and research scholars of Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) was assessed on the basis of the results of a questionnaire survey in CAZRI, Jodhpur. Further, it also attempts to assess the frequency of use, location where used search engine accessed, purpose of use etc. The study revealed that the respondents accessed Google search frequently (100%) followed by Yahoo (85.29%). It is also observed that all most equal (97.06%) respondents use the internet for education and research. The strong desire of respondents is that the library initiates various functions and services like e-portals, on-line information and abstracts retrieval along with internet.
Vishala & Bhandi (2008)18 elaborated that electronic publishing is an important media of the new Information Technology. E-journals are attracting readers attention in today’s networked environment. These e-resources are main vehicles used by researchers for scholarly communication. The present study revealed that there is increased acceptance of e-journals by the university academicians and also by the information centre. The study also demonstrated that all the librarians are fully acquainted with the benefits of e-journals and agreed that the electronic journals have and will continue to have an impact on the library services, library staff and on the information services. They concluded that e-resources have changed the way of research is done and the information obtained through electronic form has greatly improved the results of the research.
Veenapani S. & Others (2008)19 stated that the e-resources are highly useful for the research and academic community in the present digital environment in which the UGC-INFONET has to play a significant role to assist the academic community in the provision of this unique service to academic and research community. They also suggested that for the improvement of the system required to be translated in to reality by the authority of Manipur University so that effectiveness and accountability of the same can be maintained to serve the users community in a better way.
Upadhyay & Chakrabarty (2008)20 reported the use of online journals and databases and their awareness among researchers of IT-BHU. It examined the awareness of researchers and use of online journals databases available through UGC-INFONET, INDEST consortia. They also highlights some suggestions given by the users for improvement of online resources like some more awareness and training campaign programme is required with the help of experts from the online publishing agency, time of using to access the e-resources of the library should be increased and; some required e-journals must be subscribed by the library those are much more useful for the users.
Sujathan & Mudhol (2008)21 examined the “Use of Electronic Information Sources (EIS) by the teachers/scientists, research scholars and postgraduate students in the college of fisheries, Mangalore”. The objective of the study to identify the constraints faced by the respondents while using the EIS and the access the satisfaction level of the users with access to EIS in their institution. The questionnaire was administered using a simple random sampling technique. It is observed that majority of the respondents have rich experience in the use EIS, where (71.5%) have more than three years of experience. E-mail is the most frequently used e-information source followed by web sources. Among the various fisheries information source in electronic format, subject specific information websites (79%) international/regional institution websites (75.3%), e-journals (65.5%), (CD-ROM) bibliographic database (60.5%), research project sites (56.8%) and professional association websites (54.3%) are found to be used by the majority of the respondents.