Use of e journals among self financing engineering institutions in Tamil Nadu India study

Abstract

Scientific literature, due to continued research, seems to be ever increasing and growing at an exponential rate. This necessitates the availability of the scientific information to the users. The Developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have made paradigm shift in the way in which information are collected, stored, retrieved and distributed. E-journal is a, remote access electronic serial, continuing resource that is accessed via computer networks. It is issued in a succession of discrete parts usually bearing numbering and has no predetermined conclusion. This is in contrast to direct access electronic resource which is issued on a physical carrier such as CD-ROM or floppy disks. This study is carried out with the objectives to identify the availability of various types of e-journals in self-financing engineering institutions, to identify the librarians opinion on different aspects of e-journals, to identify the frequency and purpose of use of e-journals by the faculties and students. The study is carried out in two parts, based on Questionnaire method. First part of the study focused on availability of e-resources and e-journals, opinion on e-journals and other factors from the librarians of the 275 self financing engineering institutions. Majority of the institutions are subscribing e-journals through consortium. Institutions established between 1996 and 2000 foresee the technological changes and adopted the same. They have made use of the technology to maximum extent to the benefit of the users. Users opinions were obtained on e-journal preferences, user perspective and use perspective. Faculties are using e-journals exhaustively than students. Perceived ease of use, perceived use and Tech savvy are three factors for using the e-journals. Lack of literacy program, lack of internet speed, lack of relevant resource and lack of concurrent access are the barriers in accessing e-journals. newline newline newline