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Library Philosophy and Practice 2012

ISSN 1522-0222

Seeking Online Information Sources: Science Faculties in Developing Countries

Muzammil Tahira
PHD candidate in IS, UTM
FSKSM, Johor, Malaysia
Member PLA, SLA & PULISAA
Country Representative of SLA (Asian Chapter)

Introduction

Scholarly communication is the essence of all scientific work (Gravey, 1979). With the emergence of digital information resources and internet, the modes of accessing, searching, retrieving and consuming scholarly information have been rapidly changed. This scenario is "effectively transforming science into e-science" (Robert, 2009). The major developments in scientists' world are: globalization, exponential growth of S&T literature, increasing tendency of team research (multidisciplinary & interdisciplinary), collaboration at local, national and international level, and rapid disseminations of research results through sophisticated technologies. The direct access to scholarly communication made their practices more productive and collaborative. This scenario has brought certain challenges along with promising opportunities (Tahira, Muzammil, 2008).

The literature reports that science academicians of higher education are heavy users of e-scholarly communication besides traditional sources (Tenopir, 2002; 2003; Smith, 2003; Hiller and Self, 2002; Tenopir and King, 2004; 2001; Jamali, 2008). All over the world library subscription, online subscribed and unsubscribed sources are playing an important role in meeting their scholarly needs at local, national and international level. Life scientists were found the biggest users and OA repositories featured strongly in the ranked lists of life sciences (Nicholas et al. 2009)^* "The scientists have high expectation for being able to access all the information they need in the online format" (Jamali, 2008). While studying the differences in information seeking behaviour of scientists from different subfields of physics and astronomy, he raises question for this community that "What is not available online is not worth reading". Surridge rightly advocates the importance of web 2.0 as an important mode to meet the scientists' needs. He says that in principal, this transition to Web 2.0 is perfectly natural. Scientists of the past or present are habitual of "crowd sourcing" of knowledge through open debate and Web 2.0 fits perfectly with the science works (as cited in Waldrop, 2008, May). The significant increase in the use of electronic modes and systems has a positive influence on the ease of communication without affecting the inherent structure of the process and this initiative is positively debated by faculty members and academic officers at some prestigious institutions by notion "NO" to big deal (Smith, 2007).

The awareness and adoption of e-journals is increasing rapidly while convenience of use has remained the most important concern for users. However, "the capacity to absorb scientific and technical knowledge is often weak in developing countries, leading to low levels of scientific output and further under-development" (Chan, Kirsop, Costa and Arunachalam, 2005, p.3). ProQuest advisory board meeting viewed that permanent access is a big deal, and raised the question to "thoughts on institutional repositories, open access, ILS, and anything else that comes to mind" (Arbor, 2007, May, 7-8). The concept of OA has introduced by Harnad (1999) in a proposal. He suggested to place scholarly pre-prints along with post-prints of peer-reviewed published articles in open archives, and made available for free of cost. "OA is now threatening to overturn the $6 billion scholarly publishing industry and is forcing even the largest publishers against the ropes" (Poyender, 2004, p.5).

Providing speedy and reliable e-access to consumers is a fundamental prerequisite for promoting digital culture in a country. This study has been made at a time when the Government of Pakistan initiated significant, concrete efforts by establishing ICT infrastructure in universities and providing e-sources to university libraries in order to meet the changing needs of academicians, especially in the field of Science and Technology (S&T). The Government, through Higher Education Commission (HEC), is spending huge amount of budget for the subscription of online sources and promotion of national digital library programme. This is a unique example of country level subscription of e-sources in the third world (Said, 2006). Right now, HEC is spending huge amount of money in subscribing more than thirty e-databases and 45000 e-books. And it is also providing lending services from different e-repositories (Punjab University Library, n. d.)

Library and information services available to the Community of PU are:

1. A central library

2. Institutional/departmental library units

3. HEC National Digital Library on Campus Access (subscribed as well as open access digital sources i.e., e-journals, e-books, links to e-repositories etc.)

These e-databases are searchable at PU campus with one window interface through ELIN (Electronic Library Information Navigator). ELIN integrates data from several publishers, databases and e-print open archives (Punjab University Library, n. d.).

The networked academic environment demands that S&T teachers and researchers of Pakistan make effective use of the available resources for competitive teaching and research. They suppose to be able to use effectively the "knowledge @ your [their] fingertips" (Pakistan, HEC, n.d.). At the same time, for LIS professionals it is vital to probe into the pattern and practices of this community regarding seeking and using the digital resources at their disposal.

For the purpose of this study, 'OA' and 'SA' are defined as:

Open Access: An e-mode to access the information that is digitized, free of charge, copyright and licensing restrictions and available through general online-resources (e.g. Google, Yahoo, Scirus etc., e-links and informal e-communication).

Subscribed Access: HEC, IP based free on campus access to its affiliated institution(s).

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to investigate information seeking and usage patterns of Science faculties of PU with special focus on 'OA' and 'SA' modes to meet their e- information needs.

The key foci are intended to answer the following research questions:

1. What is science faculty preferred e-mode for obtaining journals articles?

2. Is there any significant difference exist due to the importance assign to 'SA' and 'OA' in search of relevant information and "science faculties'?

3. Is there any significant difference exist due to the importance assign to 'SA' and 'OA' in search of relevant information and "respondent's designation"?

4. Is there any significant difference exist about the use of 'SA' and 'OA and "science faculties"?

5. Is there any significant difference exist about the use of 'SA' and 'OA and ""respondent's designation"?

6. Is their any significant difference to assign level of adequacy level of SA" and "science faculties"? and

7. Is their any significant difference to "assign level of adequacy level of SA" and "respondents designation"?

Research Method

Quantitative design of research, based on a self-completion structured questionnaire survey was used (Appendix A). Surveyed population consisted of whole full time S&T teachers working in the 25 institutions/colleges/departments (Appendix B) of all four S&T faculties viz. Sciences, Life Science, Engineering & Technology and Pharmacy. Total response rate was 71% (156 out of 220 existed members). Frequency measure, descriptive statistics (mean (µ) and further, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze, interpret and draw conclusions. Likert type categorical scale and multiple choices are used to measure the respondents' attributes.

The analysis and interpretations of data are described below.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Population Profile

Surveyed population is consisted of all full time S&T teachers of Science Faculties working in the 25 departments/colleges/institutions of PU.

The analysis of faculty wise percentage response in ranking order is presented in Table1. The total academic staff of four faculties was 267. At the time of data collection, 220 faculty members were present. Percentage response of Engineering and Technology faculty is 83 % (25/30), Science 77% (89/116), Pharmacy 67% (10/15) Life Science 54% (32/59). Total response rate is 71% (156/220).

Table1. Response Rate of S& T Faculties of PU

The data (Table 2) show percentage response received according to respondent's designation. Majority of respondents are Lecturer 60% (93) followed by Assistant Professor 19% (30), Associate Professor 12% (19) and Professor 9% (14).

Table 2. Frequency Distribution of Respondent 's' Designation (N=156)

Preference for E-Scholarly Communication

Table 3 demonstrates variation in positive and negative responses about the respondents' preferences for e-scholarly communication.

Table 3. Preferred E-modes for obtaining Journals Articles

Frequency measures show that there is much positive response for the preference of 'other online sources' in case of Science and Engineering & Technology faculties. However, in case of Life Science, there is equal response for the preferences of both modes of e-sources. On the other hand, all the Pharmacy respondents prefer to consult 'library online subscription' to meet their e- scholarly communication.

Importance of E-modes in Search of Relevant Information

Quality and quantity of information sources have been mounted due to modern ICTs developments and networking environment. Ease of access, least effort in terms of time, money and energy are found important factors in searching, using and quality of information. Due to changing and emerging information needs, respondents' views are analyzed about the importance of both types of available e-sources. Table 2 presents the data in this regard.

Data (Table 4) provide point of view of the respondents of all science faculties about the importance of the 'SA' sources' and 'OA' sources in search of relevant information. Mean values (µ) exhibit that science faculty members consider direct e-access (both modes) 'very important' in searching of relevant information.

Further (Table 4.1) affiliation of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicates that there is no significant difference among 'science faculties' and the 'consider importance' of SA (F=.756, Sig=.520) and OA (F=1.122, Sig=.342).

Table 4. The Importance of Subscribed and Open Access Sources in Search of Relevant Information

Extremely Important = 4; Very important = 3; Important = 2; Some what important= 1; Not important= 0

Table 4.1. ANOVA Table of Responses among Science Faculties

The mean difference is significant at the .05 level

Table 5. Designation and Importance of Subscribed and Open Access Sources in Search of Relevant Information

Extremely Important = 4; Very important = 3; Important = 2; Some what important= 1; Not important= 0

Table5.1. ANOVA Table of Responses by Designation

The mean difference is significant at the .05 level

Descriptive statistics mean values (µ) (Table 5)on the basis of designation imply that they consider both modes of e-access important.

However, affiliation of ANOVA (Table 5.1) responses among science faculties revealed no substantial evidence of significant difference among 'respondent's designations' and the 'consider importance' of both SA (F= 1.499, Sig=0.217) and OA (F= 1.063, Sig=0.367).

Frequent Use of E-Sources

Descriptive statistics about the frequent use of e-sources (Table 6.) divulges that all the science faculties' often use 'OA' to meet their academic and research information needs. 'SA' is often used (µ= 2.8; 2.6) by Pharmacy and Life Science faculties. Whereas, the respondents of Engineering & Technology and Science are occasionally (µ= 2.4; 2.4) used these databases.

Further, affiliation of ANOVA (Table 6.1) about the often use of both e-modes provides no evidence of significant difference among 'science faculties' and the 'use' of) SA (F=.392, Sig=.759 and OA (F=.182, Sig=.908).

Table 6. Frequenciy of Use of E-Sources by Science Faculties

Very often= 4; Often= 3; Occasionally = 2; Rarely =1; Never= 0

Table 6.1. ANOVA Table of Responses among Faculties

The mean difference is significant at the .05 level

Descriptive statistics mean values (Table 7) about the often use of online sources by designation indicate that 'OA' is often use by all of them. Whereas, 'Assistant Professor' (µ=2.2) and 'Associate Professor' (µ=2.2) occasionally use 'SA' to meet their academic and research information needs.

Affiliation of ANOVA (Table 7.1.) revealed that data provide no substantial evidence about the often use of both e-modes and there is no significant difference existed between 'faculty's designation' and the 'use' of SA (F=2.381, Sig=0.072) and OA (F=.621, Sig=0. .603).

Table 7. Frequency of Use of E-Sources by Designation

Very often= 4; Often= 3; Occasionally = 2; Rarely =1; Never= 0

Table 7.1. ANOVA Table of Responses among Faculties

The mean difference is significant at the .05 level

Adequacy level of HEC Subscribed Sources

When responses are examined about the adequacy level of HEC subscribed sources, the data (Table 8.) present that the respondents of three faculties 'Science', 'Life Science' and 'Pharmacy' are to moderate extent (µ= 1.8; 1.7; 1.6) satisfied from HEC subscribed sources. Mean values also depict slight variation among their responses. Whereas, the faculty members of Engineering and Technology are only 'to some extent' (µ=1.4) satisfied from these sources.

Table 8. Faculties and adequacy level of Subscribed Sources

To great extent =3; To moderate extent = 2; To some extent = 1; Not at all= 0

Table 8.1. ANOVA Table of Responses among Science Faculties

The mean difference is significant at the .05 level

However, affiliation of ANOVA (Table 8) provides evidence that none of science faculties found 'SA' adequate enough to meet their information needs. Data (Table 8.1) indicate that no significant difference (F=1.182, Sig=0.319) exist between 'adequacy level of HEC digital sources' and 'science faculties'.

Descriptive statistics mean values (Table 9) indicate that faculty members by designations found 'SA' to moderate extent adequate enough to meet their e-information needs. Further, analysis by ANOVA (Table9.1) provide evidence that there is no significant difference existed between 'adequacy level of HEC digital sources' (F=.076, Sig=0.973) and 'faculty's designation'.

Table 9. Designation and Adequacy level of Subscribed Sources

To great extent =3; To moderate extent = 2; To some extent = 1; Not at all= 0

Table 9.1. ANOVA Table of Responses by Designation

The mean difference is significant at the .05 level

Findings

The focus of the study was to assess the trends and practices of Science faculty's of university in seeking both e-modes (OA and SA) of online sources to meet their e-scholarly information needs. The following findings are made on the basis of analyzed data.

To meet their e-scholarly communication needs, Science and Engineering & Technology respondents prefer to consult 'OA' slightly more than others. Whereas, respondents of Life Science give equal preferences for both modes and Pharmacy respondents showed their preferences for 'SA' in obtaining e- journals articles. The study also explores trends and practices of Science faculties towards the importance and use of e-modes. It discloses that Science faculties of PU consider direct e-access 'very important' for searching the relevant information and 'often use' to meet their e-information needs. Further, affiliation of ANOVA depicts that there is no substantial difference exists in terms of the 'importance' and 'use' of both e- modes and 'Faculties'. In the same vein, no significant difference exist in terms of 'importance' and 'use' of these modes and the 'respondent's designations'. The same fact is found true regarding their perception of the adequacy level of 'SA'.

Conclusion

This study explores the trends and practices of accessing online information of Science academics of higher education in developing countries. Faculties of sciences are seeking both e-modes to meet their information e-scholarly information needs. Though these are not using up to the optimum level. Even though, subscribed sources by parent body are considered of high quality, but these pricey databases are also not fully exploiting. Comparative analyses show no significant difference in the importance and use of both modes of online sources. The study is limited to explore the some aspects of the online sources. It is seem imperative to explore the more subjective views of the participant in interpretive or critical ways.

References

Chan, L., Kirsop, B., Costa, L., & Arunachalam, S. (2005). Improving access to research literature in developing countries: Challenges and opportunities provided by open access. Available: http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla71/papers/150e-chan.pdf.

Garvey, W.D. (1979). Communication: The essence of science, facilitating information exchange among librarians, scientists, engineers and students. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Harnad, S. (1995). A subversive proposal. In Okerson, A., & O'Donnell, J. (Eds.) Scholarly journals at the crossroads: A subversive proposal for electronic publishing. Washington, DC: Association of Research Libraries.

Hiller, S., & Self, J. (2002). A decade of user surveys: Utilizing a standard assessment tool to measure library performance at the University of Virginia and the University of Washington. Available: http://www.libqual.org/documents/admin/hiller1.pdf.

Jamali, H.R. (2008). What is not available online is not worth reading? Webology 5(4)

Nicholas, D., Clark, D., Rowlands, I., Jamali, H.R. (2009). Online use and information seeking behaviour: Institutional and subject comparisons of UK researchers. Journal of Information Science. Available: http://jis.sagepub.com/content/35/6/660.short

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Tahira, M. (2008). Information needs and seeking behaviour of science and technology teachers of the University of the Punjab. Unpublished M.Phil thesis, Lahore, University of the Punjab.

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Appendix A

QUESTIONNAIRE

• Be sure that data supplied by you will be treated as confidential and will be used for research purpose only. Please feel free in supplying the information.

Faculty:________________________________________________________________

Q1. How important are the following sources while searching information on your relevant field?

Q2. How do you obtain journal articles? (Please check all that apply)

3.1 Library's online subscription c

3.2 Other online web sources c

Q3. How often do you use the following sources of information?

Q4. When in need of information, are you most likely to…..? (Check one)

5.1 Search HEC subscribed sources c

5.2 Search other online sources c

Q 5. To what extent accessibility of HEC subscribed databases adequate enough to meet your information needs?

To great extent c To moderate extent c To some extent c Not at all c Never used c

Appendix B

LIST OF S&T FACULTIES AND DEPARTMENTS/INSTITUIONS/COLLEGES of PU SURVEYED

1. Faculty of Life Sciences

1. Institute of Biochemistry & Biotechnology
2. Department of Botany
3. Department of Zoology
4. Department of Micro Biology & Molecular Genetics
5. Institute of Mycology & Plant Pathology
6. Department of Psychology & Applied Psychology
7. Centre for Clinical Psychology

2. Faculty of Sciences

1. Department of Physics
2. Institute of Chemistry
3. Institute of Geology
4. Centre for High Energy Physics
5. Centre for Geographic Information System (GIS)
6. Department of Space Science
7. Department of Geography
8. Centre for Clinical Psychology
9. Department of Mathematics
10. College of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences
11. Centre for Solid State Physics
12. College of Earth and Environmental Sciences
13. Punjab University College of Information technology

3. Faculty of Pharmacy

1. University College of Pharmacy

4. Faculty of Engineering & Technology

1. Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology
2. Institute of Quality & Technology Management
3. College of Engineering and Emerging Technologies
4. Department of Metallurgy and Material Engineering