JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC RESEARCH FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY Impact Factor 1.625, ISSN: , Volume 2, Issue 11, December 2014

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1 INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF PHYSICS STUDENTS: A STUDY OF DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS, PANJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH MOHD. AKHTER* ANU AGGARWAL** *Research Scholar, Dept. of Lib. & Inf. Sci., Punjabi University, Patiala, India **Library Assistant, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India ABSTRACT This study investigates the information needs and seeking behaviour of the Physics students at the Panjab University, Chandigarh. A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed to postgraduate students of physics and 75 filled-in questionnaires were returned back from students with an overall response rate of The finding of the study shows that students are not aware about the library services like indexing, abstracting, bibliographic, CAS and SDI. So, library needs to organize user education programs time to time for user awareness about library services. INTRODUCTION Information seeking behaviour is a broad term, which involves a set of actions that an individual takes to express information needs, seek information, evaluate and select information, and finally uses this information to satisfy his/her information needs (Majid and Kasim 2000). Information seeking behavior is the micro-level of behavior employed by the searcher in interacting with information systems of all kinds. It consists of all the interactions with the system, whether at the level of human computer interaction (for example, use of the mouse and clicks on links) or at the intellectual level (for example, adopting a Boolean search strategy or determining the criteria for deciding which of two books selected for adjacent places on a library shelf is most useful), which will also involve mental acts, such as judging the relevance of data or information retrieved (Wilson 2000).Information seeking behavior is mainly concerned with who needs what kinds of information for what reasons, how information is found, evaluated and used(kumar 1990). Information behavior is the totality of human behavior in relation to sources and channels of information, including both active and passive information seeking and use. Thus, it includes face-to-face communication with others, as well as the passive reception of information as in, for example, watching TV advertisements, without any intention to act on the information given(wilson 2000). Information behavior are those activities a person may engage in when identifying his or her 358

2 own needs for information, searching for such information in any way and using or transferring that information(wilson 1999). Library users belong to different subjects. The purpose of present study is to determine the information needs and seeking behaviour of post graduate students of physics, Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Background of the Department The Department of physics was established in 1947, in Govt. College, Hoshiarpur (Punjab). In August 1958, the department was shifted to the present campus. At that time, the department was headed by Prof. B.M. Anand who had worked with Nobel Laureate C.F. Powell. The faculty numbered about a dozen and Prof. Anand soon established a high-energy particle physics group (nuclear) and UV spectroscopy group. The experimental nuclear physics group and mass spectrometry section came into existence soon after. In 1988, the department was accorded the status of Center of Advanced Study (CAS) by UGC with three major thrust areas, particle physics, nuclear physics and solid-state physics, which is a unique feature in itself. The department is now in CAS forth phase. At present the department has strength of 29 faculty members, 47 non-teaching/administrative staff, around 120 research students, 15 M.Phil. Students, 10 Post-M.Sc. course in Accelerator physics students and about 350 graduate and undergraduate students. The department participates in various national and international research initiatives and also hosts various conferences, seminars, and meetings etc. of research interest regularly. The department has an 11-inch telescope to encourage/inculcate the scientific temper among public and with particular emphasis on college and school students. Literature Review Ajiboye and Tella (2007) made a study under the title University undergraduates students information seeking behaviour: Implications for Quality in Higher Education in Africa. The major purpose of the study was to examine the Information seeking behavior of undergraduate students in the University of Botswana. Major findings from the study include: first, academic information was rated as the predominant information required by the students, while the Internet was rated the most crucial source of most of the academic information required. Natarajan (2012) conducted a study under the title Information Seeking Behaviour of Students of Management Institutions in NCR of Delhi. A detailed 359

3 questionnaire was prepared and total of 250 questionnaires were distributed among students and 197 filled questionnaires were obtained from the students. It was found that most of the students use the library daily and the resources are utilized effectively. Internet was used as the major source of information. Harmanpreet (2013) conducted a study under the title Information Seeking Behaviour of users of Dr B.R. Ambedkar NIT Central Library, Jalandhar. 196 questionnaires were administered and 178 filled questionnaires were obtained from the faculty members and students. This study examines that most of the students use the library daily. Mostly users use library for professional development. They are very much satisfied with the facilities and the services provided by the library. It has been observed that the faculty members, research scholars, PGs and UGs students ask for information and make an attempt to keep them abreast to latest information. Majid and kassim (2000) made a study under the title Information-Seeking Behaviour of International Islamic University Malaysia Law Faculty Members. The purpose of this study is to identify the information channels used by the International Islamic University Malaysia law faculty members, information sources preferred by them, methods employed for getting the needed information and their library use pattern. A questionnaire was distributed to 80 IIUM law faculty members and 66 filled-in questionnaires were returned, giving an overall response rate of 82.5 percent. It was found that respondents used various sources for acquiring the needed information. Fatima and Ahmed (2008) made a study under the title Information Seeking Behaviour of the Students at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh Muslim University. Data of study collected from 60 students by administering questionnaires on their information seeking behaviour at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, indicates that guidance in the use of library resources and services is necessary to help students meet their information requirements and textbooks are the most popular sources of information for the students course work. Khan (2014) conducted a study under the title Information Seeking Behaviour of Faculty Members and Students of Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi: A Case Study. The study has been undertaken to investigate information seeking behaviour and the level of satisfaction of Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi. For this purpose, a structured questionnaire covering most relevant aspects of the study including frequency of library visit, purpose of seeking, preferred search engine, satisfaction level of the users, etc. was distributed among 150 faculty members and 350 students out of which 129 questionnaires from the faculty members and 284 questionnaires from the students were 360

4 received. The collected data was tabulated in a logical order and conclusions were made based on the analysis and interpretation of the results. Objectives of the study 1. To know the user awareness about library resources and services. 2. To analyze the information needs and seeking behaviour of the students. 3. To know the types of information sources used by the students. 4. To know the purpose of seeking information. 5. To identify the problems faced by the students while seeking information. 6. To analyze the satisfaction level of the students with the present library resources and services. Research Methodology The study used questionnaire method for data collection. A questionnaire was distributed to 80 post graduate students who were available in class rooms. 75 filled-in questionnaires were returned by the respondents with the response rate of 93.75%. The collected data were analyzed with the help of statistical tools and finding lead to conclusions, were made. Data Analysis On the basis of filled up questionnaires, the data has been analyzed and tabulated. The results are interpreted and shown in tabular form. Percentage technique has been adopted for data analysis. Table-1. Frequency of visit to the library Sr. No Frequency No. of respondents Percentage 1. Everyday % times in a week % 3. Weekly % 4. Monthly The frequency of visits has been grouped into four categories. Table 1 shows that respondents visit library 2-3 times in a week, followed by respondents visit library every day, 9.33% respondents visit library monthly. 361

5 Table-2.Purpose of visit to the library Sr. No. Purpose No of respondents Percentage 1. To study % 2. To borrow books % 3. To read newspapers % 4. To read Journals % 5. To browsing the shelves % 6. To know the latest arrivals % 7. To use the reference material 24 32% 8. To collect course material 42 56% Table 2 shows that 78.66% respondents visit the library for study purpose, followed by 73.33% respondents visit the library for borrow books and 56% respondents visit the library to collect course material, 32% respondents visit the library to use reference material, and interestingly only 13.33% respondents visit the library to know the latest arrivals. Table-3.Use of library sources and services Sr.No. Services Yes(%) No(%) 1. Issue/return 70(93.33%) 5(6.66%) 2. Reference service 40(53.33%) 35(46.66%) 3. Books and journals 65(86.66%) 10(13.33%) 4. Indexing service 3(4%) 72(96%) 5. Abstracting service 3(4%) 72(96%) 6. Bibliography service 12(16%) 63(84%) 7. Newspaper 35(46%) 40(53.33%) 8. Inter-library Loan 8(10.66%) 67(89.33%) 9. CAS 2(2.66%) 73(97.33%) 10. SDI 1(1.33%) 74(98.66) Table 3 shows that issue/return services are used mostly (93.33%), followed by the use of books & journals (86.66%), reference service (53.33%), newspaper service (46.66%). It also shows that students are not aware about the services like indexing, abstracting, bibliographic, SDI and CAS. 362

6 Table-4.Purpose of seeking information Sr. No. Purpose Yes(%) No(%) 1. Exam 73(97.33%) 2(2.66%) 2. For career development 62(82.66%) 13(17.33%) 3. To solve immediate practical problem 42(56%) 33(44%) 4. To write an article 19(25.33%) 56(74.66%) 5. To keep up to date 43(57.33%) 32(42.66%) 6. General awareness 47(62.66%) 28(37.33%) 7. For writing assignment 50(66.66%) 25(33.33%) 8. For preparing presentation 45(60%) 30(40%) Table 4 shows that (97.33%) users seek information for exam purpose, followed by career development (82.66%), for writing assignment (66.66%), general awareness (62.66%), for preparing presentation (60%). Table-5.User s satisfaction with the library services Sr.No. Services Satisfied Not satisfied 1. Issue/return 37(49%) 38(50.66%) 2. Reference service 45(60%) 30(40%) 3. Books and Journals 51(68%) 24(32%) 4. Newspapers 48(64%) 27(36%) Table 5 shows that (97.33) users are satisfied by the books and journals services provided by the library, followed by newspaper service (64%), reference service (60%) and issue/return (49%). Table-6.Problems faced while seeking information Sr. No. Problems Yes(%) NO(%) 1. Unavailability of required material 49(65.33%) 26(34.66%) 2. Language barrier 15(20%) 60(80%) 3. Non-cooperative library staff 28(37.33%) 47(62.66%) 4. Library staff not knowledgeable and 29(38.66%) 46(61.33) Well trained Table 6 shows that 65.33% users faced problem because required material is not available in the library, followed by library staff not knowledgeable and well trained, non-cooperative library staff (37.33%) 363

7 Conclusion The main purpose of this study is to explore the information needs and seeking behaviour of physics students at Panjab University Chandigarh. For fulfill this purpose a survey was conducted for data collection. A structured questionnaire was designed and distributed to 80 students, 75 filled-in questionnaires were returned back from students. Major finding of the study is majority of the students visit library only for studying and borrowing books. The study also reveals that the major purpose of seeking information is preparing for exams and career development. In addition, the findings show that major problems faced by the students while seeking information were unavailability of required and applicable material. Finally, the study result shows that students are not clearly aware about library services such as indexing, abstracting, bibliographic, CAS and SDI. References 1. Ajiboye, J.O. and Tella, A, (2007). University undergraduate students information seeking behavior: Implication for quality in higher education in Africa. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 6 (1), Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.(n.d.). Retrieved from 3. Fatima, N. and Ahmad, N. (2008). Information-seeking behaviour of the students at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya college, Aligarh Muslim university: A survey. Annals of library and Information Science, 55, Harmanpreet Singh(2013). Information seeking behavior of users of B.R. Ambedkar NIT centre library. DESIDOC Journal of Library& Information Technology, 33(4), Girja Kumar (1990). Defining the concept of information needs. In J.C. Binwal, et al. (Edited). Social Science Information: Problems and Prospects, Vikas Publications, New Delhi. 6. Khan, I. (2014). Information seeking behaviour o fthe faculty members and students of Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi: A case study. e-library Science Research Journal, 2(4), 1-6. Retrieved from 7. Majid, S. and Kassim, G.M. (2000).Information seeking behaviour of international Islamic university Malaysia law faculty members. Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(2), Natarajan, M. (2012).Infromation seeking behavior of students of management institutions in NCR in Delhi.Trends in Information Management, 8(2), Wilson, T.D. (1999). Models in information behavior research. Journal of Documentation, 3(2), Wilson, T.D. (2000). Human information behavior. Information science 3(2),