The usage of Electronic Databases in Academic Libraries in Ghana. The Experience of Ghana Communication Technology University Library (GCTUL)

1. Introduction

The development of the internet in libraries has made it possible to access information electronically. Information can now be generated in larger quantities beyond the library’s walls and accessed remotely through the internet. The extraordinary development of technology has suddenly changed the information-seeking behaviour of library users. Academic libraries now recognise the value of electronic databases as a means of providing information and meeting the needs of their patrons. Technology has enabled academic libraries to introduce various services and resources to support the traditional method of service delivery (Obiamalu et al., 2021). The use of electronic databases is made easier by the development of information and communication technology (ICT) and its acceptance in library service delivery. Tella et al. (2018) defined an electronic database as a collection of computerised information records consisting of organised pieces of information placed in records.

Electronic databases contain information from a variety of disciplines and are available and accessible via the internet at any time of day. These databases are collections of information organised to serve a specific purpose and can be searched and retrieved through computers (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). According to Teymourikhani (2017), online databases contain more scholarly works than other online resources. Electronic databases are now necessary for research because they give researchers remote access to a wider range of relevant information. Emmasiegbu and Anaehobi (2021) expressed that the use of databases in the academic setting had both direct and indirect effects on academic staff efficiency. In addition to teaching and community service, academic staff members are expected to conduct high-quality research and impart ideas relevant to their areas of expertise. In the digital transformation, e-books, e-journals, e-databases, and e-magazines have replaced print books, magazines, and journals as knowledge centres (Habiba & Ahmed, 2020). Instead of heavily relying on print-based materials, academic libraries now use online resources. Electronic databases have been added to libraries’ collections to support print-based journals. Electronic databases are subscribed to by some institutions through consortiums, vendors, or the publishers themselves. As part of a discount package, all members of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) are eligible to subscribe to some databases at a moderate price. The first eleven databases are paid for by all CARLIGH members; the remaining 12 to 20 databases are subscribed to by individual institutions and are optional. The CARLIGH institution members’ mandatory and optional subscriptions to the databases are listed in Table 1 below. The Ghana Communication Technology University Library’s (GCTUL) mission, vision, and goals are no exception. The internet and other technologies in the 21st century have revolutionised library collections since information is accessible anytime and anywhere without limitation, as mentioned earlier by Toteng et al. (2013) and Obiamalu et al. (2021). There is a need for e-databases to supplement print-based information. The management of GCTUL has invested a colossal amount of money in acquiring e-databases despite the economic meltdown and dwindling library budgets. This was echoed earlier by Gakibayo et al. (2013), whose study found that many university libraries invested largely in subscribing to e-resources. In Ghana, academic libraries have come together and formed a consortium named the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) to subscribe to e-databases that its members can access at a reduced cost (Asamoah-Hassan, 2011). The GCTUL is one of the members of CARLIGH, which grants them access to e-databases through an annual subscription. The cost of the subscription is not justified by the low utilisation of the resources. It could also imply that GCTU faculty members are unaware that these resources are available at the library. An earlier observation by the researchers revealed that the university had invested a considerable sum of money in a subscription to these resources, with a general expectation that lecturers would use them fully.

Table 1.

Names of databases for CARLIGH members

However, the preliminary observation by the researchers revealed that the use of databases has declined sharply, which might be attributed to various factors. This affirmed studies by Okunoy (2020; Lawal, 2021; Obiamalu et al., 2021) that there was a decline in the use of electronic database resources in the libraries they studied. Certain factors might have hindered the maximum use of these databases in the library. It is good to note that the costs and goals of the database subscription are to enrich and improve teaching, learning, and research at the university. Even though researchers like Bong and Chen (2021; Obiamalu et al., 2021; Shihab & Mini, 2021; Afolabi et al., 2020; Ansari, 2020; Casselden & Pears, 2020; Sivakami & Rajendran, 2019; Dehghani et al., 2018; Enis, 2018; Robertson, 2015; Seale, 2014) have conducted similar studies at the global and continental levels. At the local level, Adanu (2019; Larson, 2017; Kwadzo, 2015; Kwafoa et al., 2014) have also conducted studies in this area, but none of these studies targeted GCTUL to find out the usage level of electronic databases at the library. This has motivated the researchers to determine the extent of the use of electronic databases at the GCTUL. Table 1 below buttresses a statement by Bashurun et al. (2017) that the FUTO Library subscribes to approximately eight databases, some of which are free and some require subscription fees before accessing the resources.

The categories of e-databases to which university libraries must pay subscription fees before gaining access are listed in Table 1 below.

2. Literature Review

2.5 Conceptual framework

The utilization of electronic databases has been influenced by the incorporation of technology into libraries. The framework presents the relationship between awareness, availability, accessibility, and challenges associated with the use of online databases in the library. It shows that the use of databases among faculty members at GCTU depends to a large extent on the availability and accessibility of the resources in the library. Furthermore, the framework suggests that all types of information, regardless of the format in which it was created, ought to be readily available and accessible. The e-databases are independent, and the dependent variables are awareness, availability, accessibility, and challenges. The mere awareness of e-databases does not make their usage complete; awareness must interact with availability because users can be aware of the resources but the resources may not be available at the appropriate time for use. Subsequently, there must be an interaction between availability and accessibility. Accessibility and availability do not mean users can access them automatically without being aware. However, several issues need to be addressed, including the poor quality of library internet services, the inadequacy of databases, issues with user searching skills, and adequate facilities that will enhance database usage. The framework stressed further that faculty members would be discouraged from using the databases if there were no interactions between dependent and independent variables. The above framework shows that the influence of electronic databases in academic libraries hinges on the awareness, availability, accessibility, and difficulties associated with the use of online databases.

Fig. 1.

Conceptual frameworkSource; Authors’ Construct (2022)

3. Methodology

This study adopted a descriptive research design. Descriptive research describes a particular phenomenon or event and its characteristics in terms of a specific population sample (Nassaji, 2015). From the perspective of Sieyew (2019), the descriptive design provides an essential profile of a phenomenon originating from an organisation, person, or industry. Ary et al. (2018) stated that a research design is a general procedure chosen to integrate distinctive parts of a study in a coherent way to address the research problem. The population for this study consisted of all faculty members in the GCTU. All 104 faculty members participated in the study. To this effect, no sampling method was used in this study due to the small population size. According to Bernard (2012) if a population of a study is less than two hundred (200) the entire population should be used for the study. The researchers obtained a list of faculty members from the Registrar’s office through a permission letter before the administration of the questionnaire. The researchers informed the respondents about the purpose of the study. The respondents were also assured of their confidentiality. Based on the goals of the study, a questionnaire was used to collect data. According to Yap and Lock (2017) and Yap and Skitmore (2018), the Relative Importance Index (RII) and Likert scale options ranging from one to five were used to construct the questions and collect data from respondents based on their relative importance.

The researchers administered one hundred and four (104) copies of the questionnaire to faculty members in their offices and faculty lounges to solicit information with the assistance of two students. Ninety-six (96) were returned and deemed valid for the analysis; this translates to a response rate of 92.3%. Thus, Section A of the questionnaire focused on respondents’ bio-data; Section B examined faculty awareness of e-databases in the library. Section C addressed the availability of electronic databases to faculty members. Section D gathered information on the accessibility of faculty used e-databases, and Section E dealt with the challenges associated with using e-databases. The administration and retrieval of the copies of the questionnaire took two weeks. All the participants were informed about the purpose of the study. They were also assured of their confidentiality. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS 21.0) was used to analyse data based on the study’s objectives. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was also used to rank the level of availability and accessibility of the e-databases to ascertain the preference and ranking of the databases. The results are presented in the tables.

4. Results

To help the researchers comprehend and appreciate the population under study, background information was gathered from respondents. The data that was gathered from the respondents is shown in Table 2. The data shows that out of 96 respondents, 57 (59.4 %) were males, and 39 (40.66%) were females. The results indicate that the number of male lecturers was higher than their female counterparts.

Table 2.

Demographic characteristics

Table 3.

Faculty members’ awareness of e-databases in the Library

4.3 Types of electronic databases available to faculty members

The preference and ranking of the availability of electronic databases that the Ghana Communication Technology University Library (GCTUL) offers users are shown in Table 4.

Table 4.

Type of electronic databases available to faculty members

The results showed that Emerald ranked first as the most available database with a score of (RII = 0.681), while Taylor and Francis ranked second with a score of (RII = 0.677). Furthermore, Ebscohost ranked 3rd with a value of (RII = 0.652), and Sage Research Methods was ranked fourth with a value of (RII = 0.635). The IEEE and Wiley ranked fifth and sixth with (RII = 0.627) and (RII = 0.608), respectively. The findings show that most faculty members used the Emerald database more than the other databases, as highlighted in the study. This shows that Emerald Database, Taylor and Francis, and Ebscohost were more accessible to users.

4.4 Electronic databases accessible to faculty members

Table 5 describes the accessibility ranking level of electronic databases used by faculty members at GCTU. It is clear from Table 5 that Taylor and Francis ranked first with a value of (RII = 0.706) as the most accessible databases, followed by Emerald Database, which ranked second (R = 0.692), and Ebscohost ranked third with a value of (RII = 0.679). At the same time, IEE and the Institute of Physics were ranked fourth and fifth with (RII = 0.656) and (RII = 0.644), respectively.

Table 5.

Electronic databases accessible to faculty members

The high rate of accessibility of these resources may be attributed to the library’s effort to transition from print databases to electronic databases. The findings confirm the extent to which technology is transforming library services.

4.5 Challenges faced in accessing e-databases

People are bound to encounter challenges to some extent under certain circumstances.

The respondents were asked to indicate the challenges they encounter when utilising the databases. Table 6 showed that the majority of respondents, 42 (43.8%) indicated poor internet connectivity, followed by (21.8%) who showed difficulty downloading information, while difficulty accessing full-text content accounted for (14.6%). The use of e-databases in the library is hindered by a variety of factors, including poor internet connectivity, which must be addressed.

Table 6.

Challenges faced in accessing e-databases

5. Discussion of findings

Academic libraries are considered the university’s information hub; therefore, they must make their resources known to the learning community. The primary goal of this study was to determine faculty members’ use of electronic databases (e-databases) in the Ghana Communication Technology University Library. The findings showed a high level of awareness of e-databases in the GCTU library. This assertion indicates that faculty members used these databases for their information needs. It could also indicate that the library has been exerting sufficient effort to encourage patrons to use the resources, resulting in a high level of awareness. The results did not support previous studies by Leonard et al. (2020) and Baro et al. (2011), whose findings revealed a low level of awareness of the existing electronic databases. The findings again disagreed with Okiki’s (2012) assertion that faculty members at the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana were unaware of some databases available at the Library.

In this era of information overload, libraries must market their resources and make them available for extensive use. The findings indicated that the Emerald and Ebscohost databases were more available to users. The results corroborate with Ahmad and Mohammad (2020), whose study revealed that electronic resources were available to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University users, and faculty members benefited from their use. The results of this study again confirmed a similar survey by Priyadarshini et al. (2015) that a higher proportion (93.3%) of faculty members at the Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, admitted that e-resources are freely available to them. This result agrees slightly with Bello and Chioma (2020) finding that E-GRANARY, EBSCOHOST, JSTOR, JAYPEE DIGITAL, HINARI, AGORA, and OARE with the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and Institutional Repository (IR), were available to faculty members.

The accessibility of e-databases is the key to maximising the maximum usage of resources.

The findings revealed that Taylor and Francis, Emerald database, and Ebscohost were easily accessible to users. On the contrary, an earlier study by Larson (2017) indicated that users of online databases faced problems such as no access to the databases outside the university campus and difficulty accessing some current articles freely, among others. It is anticipated that faculty members in institutions of higher learning will improve the quality of their teaching and research by making efficient and effective use of electronic databases. Therefore, the management of the academic library must immediately identify any issues that prevent patrons from making good use of the library’s electronic databases.

Globally, academic libraries must eradicate all barriers to ensure that their resources are available and accessible to their users. The findings established that most of the respondents, 42 (43.8%), indicated difficulty in downloading information, followed by poor internet connectivity, which impeded the use of e-databases in the library. The results support Leonard et al. (2020; Gupta, 2011; Kumar, 2006) studies which concluded that users faced challenges such as poor internet connectivity, low promotion of resources, low levels of awareness, and infrequent training for users. Academic libraries should come up with new ways to help users get the most out of databases, despite the challenges listed above.

6. Conclusion

The core function of any academic library is to facilitate teaching, learning, and research by providing users with current and relevant information. Technological advancement has revolutionised how academic libraries function and the types of services they deliver to patrons. The use of electronic databases in academic libraries today is one of the transformations that libraries have witnessed over the past decades by technology. In today’s information age, academic libraries offer access to information through electronic databases. The effective utilization of electronic databases is influenced by their awareness, availability, and accessibility. In the academic setting, there has been a significant rise in the demand for electronic databases by researchers, lecturers and students.

This study presents the findings of electronic databases (e-databases) usage by faculty members at the Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTUL). The study established that most of the faculty members are aware of the availability of electronic databases in the library. They also depend heavily on them for their research purposes and teaching.

It emerged from the findings that databases are available and accessible in the library, and most faculty members have access to them. However, the study identified some key challenges, such as difficulty in downloading information, limited access points, and difficulty accessing the full text.

In conclusion, this study has provided a deeper insight into using electronic databases in academic libraries at the global, continental, and national levels.

7. Recommendations

The following recommendations are made to library management:

It emerged from the findings that most faculty members were aware of the databases in the university library. The study recommends that library management should intensify its marketing strategy to create more awareness regarding the use of databases since a section of users is not aware. The library should use various social media platforms, emails, and university websites to market these databases to academic staff or the entire university community. All databases must be available and accessible without restrictions or stringent conditions, such as passwords or fees attached to their usage. There should be periodic training and retraining of faculty members on the use of electronic databases. Library management must address all the challenges that obstruct the use of databases in the library as soon as possible. For instance, the issues of difficulty in downloading, poor internet access, poor power supply, limited access, and the inability of lecturers to access the full text. The study suggests that there should be a standby power supply or generator to provide constant power in the library.

References

• Adanu, T. (2019). Journal databases; academic; databases; research guides at the University of Ghana. https://libguides.ug.edu.gh/c.php?g=658231&p=4620940, .
• Afolabi, T., & Taofeek, A. O. (2020). Information literacy skills, and availability of information resources as factors influencing research productivity of academic staff of Lead City University, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1, 17.
• Ahmad, A. E. & Mohammad, G. T. (2020). Faculty benefit from the electronic databases available at the University of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal: A case study at college of arts, department of library and information. Journal of Arabic Studies and Researches Libraries and Information Sciences, 7(13), 129-164.
• Anaraki, L. N., & Babalhavaeji, F. (2013). Investigating the awareness and ability of medical students in using electronic resources of the integrated digital library portal of Iran: A comparative study. The Electronic Library, 31(1), 70-83. [https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471311299146]
• Ani, O., & Edem, N. (2012). Access and usage of online databases in Nigerian Universities in teaching/research. Library and Information Practitioner, 5(1&2), 475-486.
• Ansari, M. S. (2020). Use and awareness of e-resources among research scholars of literature subjects at Banaras Hindu University. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4667, .
• Ary, D., Jacobs, L. C., Sorensen Irvine, C. K., & Walker, D. (2018). Introduction to research in education (10th ed.). Boston: Cengage.
• Asamoah-Hassan, H. (2011). The Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) - The journey so far. In: CARLIGH Conference, 1-14. http://ir.knustedu.gh/bitstream/123456789/1193/1/CARLIGH-Preconference-
• Baro, E. E., Endouware, B. C., & Ubogu, J. O. (2011). Awareness and use of online information resources by medical students at Delta University in Nigeria. Library Hi Tech News, 28(10), 11-17. [https://doi.org/10.1108/07419051111202655]
• Bashurun, M., T., Abdulmumin, I., & Adisa, M. Y. (2017). User perception of electronic resources in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences, 2(11). http://csjournal.org/journalof computing/archive10/27011/Vol.2.pdf, .
• Bello, S. A., & Chioma, N. E. (2020). The globalisation of library and information services: An assessment of the level of ICT deployment in academic libraries in Oyo State, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1, 19.
• Bernard, J. (2012). Perfecting Your Research Work. London: Unique Press.
• Bong, W. K., & W. Chen. (2021). Increasing Faculty’s Competence in Digital Accessibility for Inclusive Education: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 1-17. [https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2021.1937344]
• Case, O. D., & Given, M. L. (2016). Looking for Information: A Survey Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behaviour (4^th ed).
• Casselden, B., & Pears, R. (2020). Higher Education Student Pathways to Ebook Usage and Engagement and Understanding: Highways and Cul de Sacs. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 52(2), 601-619. [https://doi.org/10.1177/2F0961000619841429]
• Chukwusa, J. (2020). Blog technology: Constraints to implementation in public university libraries in Nigeria. Science and Technology Libraries, 39(1), 83-98. [https://doi.org/10.1080/0194262X.2020.1714528]
• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Dehghani, N., Asnafi, A. R., & Hajizeinolabedini, M. (2018). A survey on using online database by faculty members and graduate students at Shahid Beheshti University. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).1980. https://digitalommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1980, .
• Eiriemiokhale, K. A. (2020). Frequency of use and awareness of electronic databases byuniversity lecturers in South-west Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4106. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4106, .
• Emmasiegbu, M., & Anaehobi, S. E. (2021). Challenges to using electronic databases by lecturers in a government-owned university in Anambra state, Nigeria. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5224, .
• Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020). Database, https://www.britannica.com/technology/database, .
• Enis, M. (2018). Academic Survey: Print for Reading, ‘E’ for Research. Library Journal, 143(7), 14.
• Eyiolurunshe, T. A., Eluwole, O. A., & Aregbesola, A. (2017). Awareness, accessibility and use of library resources by faculty members of Landmark University, Nigeria. Information Impact. Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 8(2), 118-128. [https://doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v8i2.10]
• Gakibayo, A., Ikoja-Odongo, J. R., & Okello-Obura, C. (2013). Electronic information resources utilisation by students in Mbarara university library. Library Philosophy and Practices, http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/869, .
• Gupta, D.K. (2011). Use pattern of print and electronic journals at the Kurukshetra University, India. Electronic library and information systems, 45(2), 213-230. [https://doi.org/10.1108/00330331111129741]
• Habiba, U., & Ahmed, S. Z. (2020). ICT infrastructure and access to online services: determining the factors affecting faculty satisfaction with university-subscribed resources. International Information & Library Review, 53(2), 112-130. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2020.1794204]
• Habiba, U., Yesmin, S., & Akhter, R. (2022). Information behaviour of faculty members of NSTU, a public university in Bangladesh. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 42(1), 38-46. [https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.42.1.17177]
• Hendal, B. A. (2019). Kuwait university faculty usage and perspectives of reference management software, OALib, 6(8), 1-11. [https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1105685]
• Izuagbe, R., Olawoyin, O. R., Nkiko, C., Ilo, P. I., Yusuf, F., Iroaganachi, M., Ilogho, J., & Ifijeh, G. I. (2022). Impact analysis of e-Databases’ job relevance, output quality and result demonstrability on faculty research motivation. Library Hi Tech, 40(5), 1402-1421. [https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2020-0050]
• Kumar, G. (2015). Awareness and usage of electronic databases by geography and resource development information studies graduate students at the University of Ghana. Library Philosophy and Practice, e-journal. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/121020, .
• Kwadzo, G. (2015). Awareness and usage of electronic databases by Geography and Resource Development Information Studies graduate students in the University of Ghana. Library Philosophy and Practice. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cicatricle=3241&context=libphilprac
• Kwafoa, P. N. Y., Imoro, O., & Afful-Arthur, P. (2014). Assessment of the use of electronic resources among administrators and faculty at the University of Cape Coast. Library Philosophy and Practice. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1094.
• Larson, A. G. (2017). Faculty awareness and use of Library subscribed online databases in the University of Education, Winneba. Ghana. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 1515. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1515, .
• Lawal, M. T. (2021). Awareness, availability and utilization of databases among undergraduate students of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi Benue State. Library Philosophy and Practice. digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac
• Leonard, A., Hamutumwa, N. M., & Mnubi-Mchombu, C. (2020). Use of electronic resources by law academics: A case study from the University of Namibia. Collection and Curation, 39(3), 57-68. [https://doi.org/10.1108/CC-06-2019-0017]
• Madukoma, E, Onuoha, U. D., & Ikonne, C. N. (2014). Electronic resources information behaviour of faculty members at Babcock university Alishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Information Trends, 11, 60-68.
• Mansour, E. (2017). An exploratory study into information seeking-behaviour of Egyptian beggars. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 49(1), 91-106. [https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000615622679]
• Mishra, M, Das, P., & Ramesh. (2019). A survey on health science researchers: their need and information seeking behaviour in the academic context. Library Philosophy and Practice. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphipractice/2346
• Mwantimwa, K., Elia, E., & Ndenje-Sichalwe, E. (2017). The utilisation of e-resources to support teaching and research in higher learning institutions, Tanzania. University of Dares Salaam Library Journal, 12(2), 98-123.
• Nassaji, H. (2015). Qualitative and descriptive research: Data type versus data analysis. Language Teaching Research, 19(2), 129-132. [https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168815572747]
• Obiamalu, A. R, Ogungbeni, J. I., & Obuezie, A. C. (2021). Extent of awareness and usage of electronic databases by undergraduates in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Unizik Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 6(5), 12-20.
• Okiki. O. C (2012). Electronic information resources awareness, attitude and use by academic staff members of University of Lagos, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice. http://digitalcommons.unledu/lipphiprac/828, .
• Okunoye, O. O. (2020). Awareness, access and attitude of postgraduate students towards use of electronic databases in two academic libraries in South-West Nigeria. Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology, 13(1), 257-264.
• Olorongbe, O., & Ibrahim, I. (2017). The use of electronic resources by academic staff at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. PNLA Quarterly.
• Onifade, F. N., Ogbuiyi, S. U., & Omeluzor, S. U. (2013). Library resources and services utilization by postgraduate students in Nigerian private universities. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(9), 289-294. [https://doi.org/10.5897/IJLIS2012.054]
• Online Encyclopedia Britannica (2019). Database computer science. https://www.britannica.com/technology/data-mining
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Generalisation in quantitative and qualitative research: myths and strategies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(11), 1451-1458. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.06.004]
• Prangya, D., & Rabindra, K. (2015). Access, awareness and use of electronic information resources by research scholars of Berhampur University: A study. American International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 3(2). http://iasir.net/AIJRHASSpapers/AIJRHASS13-271.pdf
• Priyadharshini, R., Janakiraman, A., & Subramanian, N. (2015). Awareness of the usage of e-resources among users at agricultural college and research institute, Madurai. European Academic Research, II (11).
• Robertson, F. (2015). Making a difference: where are they now? http://www.ressearch4Life.org/casestudies/geoffreysalanje/
• Sahu, H. K., & Singh, S. N. (2013). Information-seeking behaviour of astronomy/ astrophysics scientists. Aslib proceedings: New Information Perspective, 65(2), 109-142. [https://doi.org/10.1108/00012531311313961]
• Seale, J. K. (2014). E-Learning and Disability in Higher Education: Accessibility research and practice. (2nd ed). New York: Routledge.
• Shihab, I., & Mini, D. B. (2021) Use of e-journals among faculty members and research scholars of the university of Kerala. Journal of Library Development, 7(2), 25-42.
• Sileyew, K. J. (2019). Research Design and Methodology. https://www.intechopen.com/books/cyberspace/research-design-and-methodology, .
• Sivakami, N., & Rajendran, N. (2019). Awareness, Access and Usage of E-resources Among Faculty Members in Arts and Science Colleges. Library Philosophy and Practice. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2549, .
• Tella, A., Orim, F., Dauda, M. I., & Suleiman, A. M. (2018). The use of electronic resources by academic staff at the university of Ilorin, Nigeria. Education and Information Technologies, 23(1). [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-017-9577-2]
• Teymourikhani, A. (2017). Web-based citation1: A new metric for evaluating scientific Journals. IFLA WLIC. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, .
• Tiemo, P. A. (2017). Use of electronic information resource databases among lecturers and postgraduate students in university libraries in South-South Nigeria. International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 5(2), 46-72.
• Toteng, B., Hoskins, R., & Bell, F. (2013). Use of electronic databases by law students at the University of Botswana library. African Journal of Library, Archival and Information Science, 23(1), 59-74
• Unegbu, V. E., Lawal-Solarin, E., & Ladan, M. U. (2017). Library resources availability and accessibility as determinants of undergraduates’ library use in Lagos State University, Nigeria. Gateway Library Journal.
• Yap, J. B. H., & Lock, A. (2017). Analysing the benefits, techniques, tools and challenges of knowledge management practices in the Malaysian construction SMEs. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, 803-825. [https://doi.org/10.1108/jedt-07-2017-0067]
• Yap, J. B. H., & Skitmore, M (2018) Investigating design changes in Malaysian building projects. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 14(3), 218-238. [https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2017.1384714]