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[ Article ] | |
International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology - Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 39-49 | |
ISSN: 2234-0068 (Print) 2287-187X (Online) | |
Print publication date 30 Jun 2020 | |
Received 31 Mar 2020 Revised 18 Apr 2020 Accepted 01 May 2020 | |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5865/IJKCT.2020.10.2.039 | |
Usage of Library Collection, Services & Assistance Among Ophthalmologists - An Opinion Survey | |
R. Govindarajan* ; S. Dhanavandan**
| |
*Librarian, Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai - Tamil Nadu (govindarajanthamba@gmail.com) | |
**Deputy Librarian, Central Library, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu (dhanavandan@gmail.com) | |
Accurate and reliable Information improves decision making, reduces costs, and saves time. The ophthalmic Libraries supply quality ophthalmic information to the ophthalmologists to serve the patients in a better way and stimulate the growth of ophthalmic field. This paper aims to study the usage of library collection, services and assistance among the Ophthalmologists – Eye Doctors in India. A survey method is used to obtain the ophthalmologists’ usage of library collection, services and assistance. Through convenient sampling method, a structured questionnaire is circulated to the ophthalmologists in India and 633 ophthalmologists are responded. Among the 633 ophthalmologist, 82.15% of the ophthalmologists use the library collection - book. 73.46% of the ophthalmologists use the online data / journals. 89.73% of the ophthalmologists seek assistance to locate books/articles/documents. There exists a significant difference between the ophthalmologists use of Library Service and gender (p value 0.001**). There exists a significant difference between the ophthalmologists use of Library Assistance / help and designation category (p value 0.000**). There exists a significant difference between the ophthalmologists use of Library Assistance / help and working experience (p value 0.017**). There exists a significant difference between Library Services (p value 0.009**), Library Assistance / help (p value 0.000**) and institution type. The study results will help the ophthalmic libraries to serve the user better.
Keywords: Library Collections, Library Services, Ophthalmologists |
The Ophthalmic libraries serve as the knowledge power house of the academic eye hospitals. It supports evidence based practice, research, education and lifelong learning. They acquire, preserve and provide access to the books, periodicals, reports, etc. With the help of ICT (Information and Communication Technology), the libraries extend their services in different electronic formats, provide round the clock services, etc. The library provides vital information collections both in printed or electronic formats to the users to enrich their knowledge. Libraries offer regular information services to its users to inform the happenings / latest updates in the field. On demand, Libraries also provide additional services to its users to help in their research work / provide specific information / utilize the libraries collections in a better manner. This paper aims to study the ophthalmologists’ usage of the library collection, services & assistance.
The Objectives of the Study is as follows: a) To examine the usage of library collection with ophthalmologists’ individual characteristics and institution type, b) To identify the usage pattern of library service among ophthalmologists, c) To find out the popular library assistance / helpused by the ophthalmologists, d) To identify the usage pattern of library assistance / helpamong ophthalmologists, e) To examine the usage of library assistance / helpwith ophthalmologists’ individual characteristics and institution type.
Perera (2005) carried out a survey at the Medical Library of the University of Peradeniya to evaluate the services and the -usage of library materials available within the library. The methodology consisted of survey research and analysis of library statistics taken during a selected period. Results revealed ‘significant variation within and among user groups, concerning various aspects of the study. Portmann and Roush (2004) conducted a study to ascertain the influence of the library orientation on community college students’ library usage and skills. The data analysis of that study showed a “statically significant increase in student library use after the orientations”. Examining the usage of library collection, services and assistance give proper direction for library growth and user satisfaction. Dhanavandan and Tamizhchelvan (2016) analyzed the open access books available in DOAB from the global perspectives and analyzed the e books from different perspectives.
Only very few studies were conducted about the usage of libraries among ophthalmologists. The author of this paper couldn’t able to find any studies particularly among the ophthalmologists in India which leads to this study.
This study aims to find out the usage of library among Ophthalmologists. Through convenient random sampling method, a structured questionnaire is circulated to the ophthalmologists in India and 633 ophthalmologists are responded. The Ophthalmologists are asked to record the their usage of library sources, services and additional support. Data collected was organized using Ms-Excel and analysed through SPSS 18 PASW Statistics software. To examine whether there is any mean difference between two groups, t-test is used. ANOVA test is used to find out whether there is any mean difference between more than two groups. P value less than 0.05 are considered as statistically significant. The following terminologies were adopted.
Ophthalmologists: Doctors who completed MBBS and any ophthalmology degree like Master of Surgery (MS), Diploma of Ophthalmology (DO), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Diplomate of National Board in Ophthalmology (DNB).
A total of 633 ophthalmologists are included in this study. Among the 633 ophthalmologists – library users, 294 are female, 339 are male. Majority of the users are male. The male users are of 53.55% and female users are of 46.45%. 34.28% of the users are less than or equal to the age 30. 47.08% of the users’ age is between 31 and 40. 14.06% of the users’ age is between 41 and 50. 3.32% of the users’ age is between 51 and 60. 1.26% of the users’ age is 61 and above. Majority of the users are within the age group 31 to 40. 57.66% of the respondents are working as a medical officer or medical consultant or managing the hospital. 40.13% of the respondents are undergoing training in specialty clinics and serving eye patients. 2.21% of the respondents are undergoing training in advanced techniques of ophthalmology and serving eye patients. 64.93% of respondents have working experience of less than or equal to 5 years. 19.12% of ophthalmologists have 6 to 10 years experience. 6.32% of ophthalmologists have 11 to 15 years experience. 4.74% of ophthalmologists have 16 to 20 years experience. 4.90% of ophthalmologists have 21 years and above experience. Majority of the candidates are working in Not for Profit organization / Trust which is about 81.36%. 12.16% of the respondents are working in corporate eye hospitals and academic institutions. 6.48% of the respondents are working in Government eye hospitals and academic institutions.
A frequency Table 1 is derived based on the 11 choices of the multi response question about the ophthalmologists’ usage of library collection. The table is sorted out in descending order of the total no. of responses and shows up the popular library collection used by the ophthalmologists. Most of the ophthalmologists use the library collection book which is about 82.15%. 79.46% of the ophthalmologists use journal/periodical from library. 63.19% of the ophthalmologists use reference books.
S.no | Collection Description | Response (C) | Percentage of cases (P) | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Books | 520 | 82.15 | 1 |
2 | Journals / Periodicals | 503 | 79.46 | 2 |
3 | Reference Books | 400 | 63.19 | 3 |
4 | Audio / Video CD | 197 | 31.12 | 4 |
5 | Clinical Images | 133 | 21.01 | 5 |
6 | Thesis / Dissertations | 92 | 14.53 | 6 |
7 | Reports | 86 | 13.59 | 7 |
8 | Bibliographies | 74 | 11.69 | 8 |
9 | Technical reports | 60 | 9.48 | 9 |
10 | Standard / patents | 54 | 8.53 | 10 |
11 | Directories | 52 | 8.21 | 11 |
Total | 2171 |
The following Table 2 shows the library collection usage pattern among ophthalmologists. The most used pattern of library collection among ophthalmologists are 3,1,2 which has the usage percentages 29.38%, 19.43%, 18.96% respectively. 6.32% of the ophthalmologists use 9 library collections. 80.57% of the ophthalmologists use more than one library collection. 19.43% of the ophthalmologists use single library collection.
No. of library collection |
No. of Ophthalmologists used© |
Percentage of cases (P) |
Cumulative No. of Ophthalmologists used (C1) |
Cumulative Percentage of cases (P1) |
---|---|---|---|---|
9 | 40 | 6.32 | 40 | 6.32 |
8 | 2 | 0.32 | 42 | 6.64 |
7 | 5 | 0.79 | 47 | 7.42 |
6 | 16 | 2.53 | 63 | 9.95 |
5 | 35 | 5.53 | 98 | 15.48 |
4 | 106 | 16.75 | 204 | 32.23 |
3 | 186 | 29.38 | 390 | 61.61 |
2 | 120 | 18.96 | 510 | 80.57 |
1 | 123 | 19.43 | 633 | 100.00 |
A frequency Table 3 is derived based on the 12 choices of the multi response question about the ophthalmologists’ usage of library services. The table is sorted out in descending order of the total no. of responses and shows up the popular library services used by the ophthalmologists. Most of the ophthalmologists use the online data / journals which is about 73.46%. 62.40% of the ophthalmologists use book borrowing from library. 54.19% of the ophthalmologists use journal circulation.
S.no | Service Description | Response (C) | Percentage of Cases (P) | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Online database / journals | 465 | 73.46 | 1 |
2 | Book Borrowing | 395 | 62.40 | 2 |
3 | Journal Circulation | 343 | 54.19 | 3 |
4 | Printing, Copying & Scanning | 210 | 33.18 | 4 |
5 | Abstracting / Indexing service | 109 | 17.22 | 5 |
6 | Institutional repository | 59 | 9.32 | 6 |
7 | Newspapers clipping services | 52 | 8.21 | 7 |
8 | OPAC Search / Browsing | 45 | 7.11 | 8 |
9 | Current Awareness Services (CAS) | 43 | 6.79 | 9 |
10 | Interlibrary loan | 28 | 4.42 | 10 |
11 | Profile based services | 28 | 4.42 | 11 |
12 | Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) | 22 | 3.48 | 12 |
Total | 1799 | 284.20 |
Table 4 shows the library services usage pattern among ophthalmologists. The most used pattern of library services among ophthalmologists are 2,1,3 which has the usage percentages 28.91%, 22.75%, 19.12% respectively. 0.16% of the ophthalmologists use 11 library services. 77.25% of the ophthalmologists use more than one library services. 22.75% of the ophthalmologists use single library services.
No. of Library Services |
No. of Ophthalmologists Used (C) |
Percentage of Cases (P) |
Cumulative No. of Ophthalmologists Used |
Cumulative Percentage of Cases |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 1 | 0.16 | 1 | 0.16 |
10 | 1 | 0.16 | 2 | 0.32 |
9 | 4 | 0.63 | 6 | 0.95 |
8 | 2 | 0.32 | 8 | 1.26 |
7 | 12 | 1.90 | 20 | 3.16 |
6 | 29 | 4.58 | 49 | 7.74 |
5 | 51 | 8.06 | 100 | 15.80 |
4 | 85 | 13.43 | 185 | 29.23 |
3 | 121 | 19.12 | 306 | 48.34 |
2 | 183 | 28.91 | 489 | 77.25 |
1 | 144 | 22.75 | 633 | 100.00 |
A frequency Table 5 is derived based on the 11 choices of the multi response question about the ophthalmologists’ usage of library assistance / help. The table is sorted out in descending order of the total no. of responses and shows up the popular library assistance / help used by the ophthalmologists. Most of the ophthalmologists seek assistance to locate books/articles/documents which is about 89.73%. 63.19% of the ophthalmologists need assistance to seek any information. 56.56% of the ophthalmologists need assistance to use reference books.
S.no | Assistance / Help | Response (C) | Percentage of Cases (P) | Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | To locate books / articles / documents | 568 | 89.73 | 1 |
2 | To seek any information | 400 | 63.19 | 2 |
3 | To use reference books | 358 | 56.56 | 3 |
4 | Selecting journals to publish articles | 215 | 33.97 | 4 |
5 | Selection of research projects | 174 | 27.49 | 5 |
6 | Preparation of references | 161 | 25.43 | 6 |
7 | Selection of research tools | 122 | 19.27 | 7 |
8 | Give bibliographies | 98 | 15.48 | 8 |
9 | Formatting the references | 80 | 12.64 | 9 |
10 | Checking plagiarism | 67 | 10.58 | 10 |
11 | Give instruction to authors | 55 | 8.69 | 11 |
Total | 2298 |
The Table 6 shows up the library assistance / help usage pattern among ophthalmologists.
No. of Library Assistance / Help |
No. of Ophthalmologists used © |
Percentage of Cases (P) |
Cumulative No. of Ophthalmologists Used (C1) |
Cumulative Percentage of Cases (P1) |
---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 18 | 2.84 | 18 | 2.84 |
10 | 5 | 0.79 | 23 | 3.63 |
9 | 11 | 1.74 | 34 | 5.37 |
8 | 10 | 1.58 | 44 | 6.95 |
7 | 39 | 6.16 | 83 | 13.11 |
6 | 41 | 6.48 | 124 | 19.59 |
5 | 56 | 8.85 | 180 | 28.44 |
4 | 84 | 13.27 | 264 | 41.71 |
3 | 130 | 20.54 | 394 | 62.24 |
2 | 107 | 16.90 | 501 | 79.15 |
1 | 132 | 20.8 | 633 | 100.00 |
The most used pattern of library assistance / help among ophthalmologists are 1,3,2 which has the usage percentages 20.85%, 20.54%, 16.90% respectively. 2.84% of the ophthalmologists use 11 library assistance / help. 79.15% of the ophthalmologists use more than one library assistance / help. 20.85% of the ophthalmologists use single library assistance / help.
Investigating the statistical relationship between Library collection, services, assistance / help usage and ophthalmologists & institution characteristics
S.no | Characteristic | No. of Ophthalmologists |
Library Collection |
Library Service |
Library Assistance / Help |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean | P value | Mean | P value | Mean | P value | |||
SD | F score | SD | F score | SD | F score | |||
1 | Male | 339 | 3.20 | 3.07 | 3.73 | |||
1.901 | 1.851 | 2.486 | ||||||
2 | Female | 294 | 3.20 | 2.58 | 3.52 | |||
2.127 | 1.428 | 2.360 | ||||||
P value | 0.179 | 0.001** | 0.411 | |||||
F score | 1.809 | 11.433 | 0.677 |
The t-test results reveal that there is no significant difference between the use of library collection with gender (p value: 0.179). There is a significant difference between the use of library services with gender (p value: 0.001**). There is no significant difference between the use of library assistance / help with gender (p value: 0.441).
To verify the significance level of each item usage score and age, ANOVA test is used. The Table 8 shows up the ANOVA test results on library collection, services, assistance / help and age.
S.no | Characteristic | No. of Ophthalmologists |
Library Collection |
Library Service |
Library Assistance / Help |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean | P value | Mean | P value | Mean | P value | |||
SD | F score | SD | F score | SD | F score | |||
1 | Less than or equal to 30 |
217 | 3.13 | 2.78 | 3.80 | |||
1.964 | 1.645 | 2.421 | ||||||
2 | 31 to 40 | 298 | 3.31 | 2.87 | 3.56 | |||
2.018 | 1.649 | 2.385 | ||||||
3 | 41 to 50 | 89 | 3.19 | 2.90 | 3.69 | |||
2.044 | 1.771 | 2.489 | ||||||
4 | 51 to 60 | 21 | 2.67 | 3.10 | 3.38 | |||
1.932 | 2.211 | 2.991 | ||||||
5 | 61 and above | 8 | 2.75 | 2.13 | 1.63 | |||
2.659 | 1.642 | .916 | ||||||
P value | 0.568 | 0.67 | 0.133 | |||||
Fscore | 0.735 | 0.59 | 1.771 |
The t-test results reveal that there is no significant difference between the use of library collection with gender (p value: 0.179). There is a significant difference between the use of library services with gender (p value: 0.001**). There is no significant difference between the use of library assistance / help with gender (p value: 0.441).
To verify the significance level of each item usage score and designation category, ANOVA test is used. The Table 9 shows up the ANOVA test results on library collection, services, assistance / help and designation category.
S.no | Characteristic | No. of Ophthalmologists |
Library Collection |
Library Services |
Library Assistance / Help |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean | P value | Mean | P value | Mean | P value | |||
SD | F score | SD | F score | SD | F score | |||
1 | Medical Officer / Medical Consultant / Ophthalmic Teaching Staff / Management Staff |
365 | 3.15 | 2.76 | 3.30 | |||
2.002 | 1.614 | 2.308 | ||||||
2 | Fellows | 254 | 3.30 | 2.95 | 4.12 | |||
2.021 | 1.739 | 2.534 | ||||||
3 | Senior Residents | 14 | 2.86 | 3.00 | 3.29 | |||
1.916 | 2.353 | 2.199 | ||||||
P value | 0.510 | 0.349 | 0.000** | |||||
Fscore | 0.675 | 1.056 | 8.768 |
The ANOVA test results reveal that there is no significant difference between the use of library collection with designation category (p value: 0.510). There is no significant difference between the use of library services with designation category (p value: 0.349). There is a significant difference between the use of library assistance / help with designation category (p value: 0.000**).
To verify the significance level of each item usage score and working experience, ANOVA test is used. The Table 10 shows the ANOVA test results on library collection, services, assistance / help and working experience.
S.no | Characteristic | No. of Ophthalmologists |
Library Collection |
Library Services |
Library Assistance / Help |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean | P value | Mean | P value | Mean | P value | |||
SD | F score | SD | F score | SD | F score | |||
1 | Less than or equal to 5 |
411 | 3.17 | 2.82 | 3.71 | |||
1.985 | 1.686 | 2.466 | ||||||
2 | 6 to 10 | 40 | 2.85 | 2.40 | 2.73 | |||
1.791 | 1.499 | 1.485 | ||||||
3 | 11 to 15 | 30 | 3.47 | 2.70 | 3.93 | |||
2.255 | 1.393 | 2.625 | ||||||
4 | 16 to 20 | 31 | 2.81 | 2.74 | 2.68 | |||
2.242 | 1.949 | 2.301 | ||||||
5 | 21 and above | 121 | 3.48 | 3.12 | 3.82 | |||
2.013 | 1.709 | 2.446 | ||||||
P value | 0.249 | 0.176 | 0.017** | |||||
F score | 1.354 | 1.589 | 3.038 |
The ANOVA test results reveal that there is no significant difference between the use of library collection with working experience (p value: 0.249). There is no significant difference between the use of library services with working experience (p value: 0.176). There is a significant difference between the use of library assistance / help with working experience (p value: 0.017**).
To verify the significance level of each item usage score and institution type, ANOVA test is used. The Table 11 shows the ANOVA test results on library collection, services, assistance / help and institution type.
S.no | Characteristic | No. of Ophthalmologists |
Library Collection |
Library Services |
Library Assistance / Help |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean | P value | Mean | P value | Mean | P value | |||
SD | F score | SD | F score | SD | F score | |||
1 | Government | 41 | 3.15 | 2.46 | 2.85 | |||
2.151 | 1.675 | 2.104 | ||||||
2 | Not for Profit Organization |
515 | 3.25 | 2.94 | 3.82 | |||
2.017 | 1.687 | 2.412 | ||||||
3 | Corporate | 77 | 2.94 | 2.39 | 2.81 | |||
1.859 | 1.582 | 2.476 | ||||||
P value | 0.439 | 0.009** | 0.000** | |||||
F score | 0.823 | 4.739 | 8.222 |
The ANOVA test results reveal that there is no significant difference between the use of library collection with institution type (p value: 0.439). There is a significant difference between the use of library services with institution type (p value: 0.009**). There is a significant difference between the use of library assistance / help with institution type (p value: 0.0001**).
Among the 633 ophthalmologist, 82.15% of the ophthalmologists use the library collection - book. 73.46% of the ophthalmologists use the online data / journals. 89.73% of the ophthalmologists seek assistance to locate books/articles/documents. There exist a significant difference between the ophthalmologists use of Library Service and gender (p value 0.001**). There exist a significant difference between the ophthalmologists use of Library Assistance / help and designation category (p value 0.000**). There exist a significant difference between the ophthalmologists use of Library Assistance / help and working experience (p value 0.017**). There exist a significant difference between Library Services (p value 0.009**), Library Assistance / help (p value 0.000**) and institution type. The ophthalmic Libraries supply quality ophthalmic information to the ophthalmologists to serve the patients in a better way and stimulate the growth of ophthalmic field. The study results yield meaningful information to the ophthalmic libraries about their users. This information will help the libraries to serve the user better.
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R. Govindarajan, is working as Librarian in Aravind Eye Hospital & PG Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai – 625 020, Tamil Nadu. He has completed B.Sc (Physics). M.H.R.M., M.L.I.S., M.Phil., and Ph.D (LIS) in Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. He is having more than 12 Years’ Experience in the Library and Information Science profession. He has published more than 6 articles in International Journals and 19 articles in National Journals. He has published 9 Chapters in edited books. He has presented more than 20 articles in International and National Conferences and seminars. He served as Chairperson, Co-Chairs and Rapporteur in the Seminar and Conferences. He is life of member of SALIS, MALA and AVSL (The Association of Vision Science Librarians).
S. Dhanavandan, is working as Deputy Librarian, Central Library at Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur-610005, Before joining in CUTN, he served as University Assistant Librarian at ‘The Gandhigram Rural Institute – Deemed University’, Gandhigram – 624 302, He has completed M.A. B.Ed., (Economics) DLL & AL., (Law), M.L.I.S, M.Phil, and Ph.D (LIS) in Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar. He is having more than twenty one years in the Library and Information Science profession. Six Ph.D degrees were awarded under his guidance. He has published more than 135 articles in National and International Journals and more than 155 papers presented and published in National and International Conferences. He authored more than 35 books in Library and Information Science and 60 Chapters in edited books. He has attended more than 60 Seminars/Workshops and training programmes.. He served as Chairperson and Resource Person in many workshops, conferences and also organized fourteen workshops and conferences. He has adjudicated Ten Ph.D theses. He is life of member of SALIS, ALA and MALA.