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Online Reading Behaviour of Ph.D. Students in The Department of Online Reading Behaviour of Ph.D. Students in The Department of
Library and Information Science at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Library and Information Science at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar
University, Lucknow: A Survey University, Lucknow: A Survey
Dr. Shilpi Verma
Preeti Yadav
Pratibha Kumari
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Verma, Dr. Shilpi; Yadav, Preeti; and Kumari, Pratibha, "Online Reading Behaviour of Ph.D. Students in The
Department of Library and Information Science at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow: A
Survey" (2021).
Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)
. 5960.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5960
Online Reading Behaviour of Ph.D. Students in The Department of Library and
Information Science at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow: A Survey
Dr. Shilpi Verma
Professor and Head
Department of Library and Information Science,
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, India
Preeti Yadav
M.L.I.Sc.
Department of Library and Information Science,
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, India
Pratibha Kumari
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of Library and Information Science,
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow-226025, India
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3499-8468
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to identify online reading behaviour of Ph.D. students of
Department of Library and Information Science of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
Lucknow. This study adopted survey methodology to find out how many students are aware
and uses the online reading resources in the departments. It also looks at the motive and
problems of students while accessing the online reading resources. This research makes a few
ideas on how to increase online reading habit.
Keywords: Online reading, ICT environment, Online resources, Search engines.
Introduction
Online learning is a developing trend that has the potential to increase learning while also
stressing the importance of knowing new teaching techniques that may be used to different
learning situations. Reading is the most basic and important part of the learning process.
The development of technology and the growing popularity of the Internet have resulted
in learners increasingly acquiring new knowledge and skills via the Internet. The use of online
reading is being used in every field in the modern era, whether it is in technology or educational
institutions and it is growing rapidly. Due to online reading, we get technical and current
information using by internet and other web. Academic library and other libraries provide many
types of resources like, e-journal, e-book, articles, e-newspaper etc. for the researcher, students
and other users which encourages online reading.
Online reading is most important trait for research, any types of information related to the
researcher’s problems and students also. It is a platform from which the researchers get all the
current information and is used to solve research problems anywhere, anytime that’s why its
uses are increased by students, educators, scholars.
The impact and use of the e- learning leads the researcher towards online reading and this study
within limited scope is an attempt to know the behavior of the online readers.
Literature review
Han et al. (2019) explored the utilization of online reading behaviour network. According to
this study, a major portion of an online digital network was built at a university's digital library,
which can be enhanced in a complicated method, and the researcher has spent many years
online through social networks to enhance it. On the basis of the outcome of the survey it is
recommended that online reading behavior network has remained stable in schools for many
years, but that a gap between the world online reading behavior network and the sub online
reading behavior network is discovered every four years.
Tanjung et al. (2017) investigated the current reading habits of university students. It also
attempts to assess the impact of extensive usage of the internet and other digital resources on
reading habits, as well as provide some recommendations for improving students' reading
habits in the digital time. In order to enhance reading, teachers and 320 students were asked to
reply to a survey that comprised six categories, including public statistics information, internet
information, online reading technique and review, and reading habits. There were attempts to
enhance reading habits.
Rimi (2019) explored the habit of online reading and its effects in ESL classroom. Data was
collected through the questionnaire and also a writing test conducted to measure the students'
performance in writing. The findings of the study show that majority of the students (85%)
prefer electronic media over print. This study also reveals that only 45% of students read the
article online for academic purpose. According to the assessment of their writing test, it is
recommended that a reading habit be developed and nurtured beginning in childhood.
Yadamsuren (2018) conducted the study of online news reading behavior. Using Savolainen's
(1995) model of Everyday Life Information Seeking, this study looked at how individuals
interpret news and how they consume it online. The study included both an online survey and
an interview technique. The outcome of the study reveals that some respondents yet associate
news with the conventional media and another group has a wide understanding of news that
extends beyond what is published by the skilled journalists.
Liu (2005) investigated reading behavior in the digital world by looking at how people's
reading habits have evolved over the last ten years. In the last ten years, a lot has happened in
the world of studies, or we could say that with the advent of the digital environment, a lot has
changed in the practice of reading, or it has been claimed that it has been very excellent.
According to the findings of this study, the amount of time spent reading electronic documents
has grown, and screen-based readings have also arisen, which have shown to be extremely
effective in our young.
Objectives of the study
The important objectives of the study are:
• To find out the problems faced by scholars while using online resources for reading.
• To find out the perception about Online Reading Behaviour.
• To find out the aware about Online Reading.
• To understand the satisfaction level of researchers towards towards online reading
behaviour.
• To determine the purpose and utilisation of online reading behaviour
• To developed update subject knowledge and writing articles also.
• To analyse the frequency of online reading behaviour.
• To identify the research techniques used for online reading behavior
Scope and Research methodology
The overall study was confined to those research scholars who were pursuing Ph.D. in the
Department of Library and Information Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University,
Lucknow. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, a total of 25 questionnaires
were distributed among research scholars and out of which 20 questionnaires were received. A
total of 80% of research scholar responded, which is sufficient for analysis.
Data Analysis and Interpretation
The data which are collected have been organized, analysed, compared, consolidated, tabulated
and interpreted by using tables and percentages and a simple method of calculation to verify
the validity of results and in the light of above data, useful findings and conclusions have been
arrived at. On the basis of the responses received through questionnaires the data is analysed
and interpreted, as following:
Figure 1: Questionnaire
Questionnaire Distributed
Received
25
20
For the study, total 25 questionnaire were distributed among the Ph.D. Students of Department
of Library & Information Science at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. Out
of 25, only 20 filled questionnaires were received.
Awareness and use of online reading
0
5
10
15
20
25
Questionnaire
Distributed
Received
25
20
Sample Size
Questionnaire Distributed Received
Figure 2: Awareness and use of online reading
In the figure 2, analysis reveals that 100% of the students are aware of online reading.
Purpose of using online reading
Sr. No.
Purpose
Total
Percentage
1
For studying course work
14
17%
2
Updating knowledge
18
22%
3
For teaching
10
12%
4
Research Purpose
20
25%
5
Writing articles
17
21%
6
Any others
02
03%
Table No. 1
0
5
10
15
20
Aware Not aware
20
0
Awareness and Use of online reading
Figure 3: Purpose of using online reading
Table no. 1 and Figure no. 3 indicates that 25% of respondents do online reading for their
research purpose. Second major aim is Writing articles, then after the purpose of using online
reading is Updating knowledge, For studying course work, For teaching, respectively.
Usage frequency of online reading
Sr. No.
Frequency
Total
Percentage
1
Daily
15
75%
2
weekly
04
20%
3
Occasionally
01
5%
Table No. 2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
For studying
course work
Updating
knowledge
For teaching Research
Purpose
Writing
articles
Any others
14
18
10
20
17
2
Purpose of using online reading
Figure 4: Usage frequency of online reading
Table No. 2 indicate that 75% the Research Scholar read online on daily basis, 20 % read
weekly and rest occasionally.
Content of online reading
Table No. 3
Sr. No.
Contents
Total
Percentage
1
Online news
18
27%
2
Online magazine
14
20%
3
E-Book
15
22%
4
Journal article
20
30%
Figure 5: Content of online reading
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Daily weekly Occasionally
15
4
1
Usage frequency of online reading
0
5
10
15
20
Online news
Online magazine
E-Book
Journals article
18
14
15
20
Content of online reading
Collected data indicate that 30% of the respondent prefer Journal articles, 27% online news,
20% online magazine, and 22% E-book. This shows the research scholar are mostly used the
journal article for their work.
Place of browse online Reading for study
Table No. 4
Sr. No.
Place
Total
Percentage
1
Central library
05
25%
2
Departmental library
04
20%
3
At home
11
55%
Figure 6: Place of browse online Reading for study
Figure no. 6 shows that 55% of the scholars prefer the place for the online reading at home and,
25% in the departmental library, 20% in the central library.
Perception about online reading
S.
No.
Perception
Total
Percentage
1
Online learning has increased academic performance
07
35%
2
Internet has become important tools for accessing
information
06
30%
3
Online reading has enhanced reading behaviour and
knowledge
07
35%
Table No. 5
0
5
10
15
Central library
Departmental library
At home
5
4
11
Place of browse online Reading for study
Figure 7: Perception about online reading
Gathered data reveals the perception of scholars about online reading behavior. The perception
of 35% students is that the online reading has increased academic performance, other 35%
thought that Online reading has enhanced reading behaviour and knowledge and remaining
thought that internet has become important tools for accessing information.
Criteria of adopting online reading
Sr. No.
Criteria
Total
Percentag
e
1
Current awareness & information
19
23%
2
For research study
18
21%
3
Preparing Seminar
07
08%
4
Prepared to articles
15
18%
5
General activities
08
10%
6
Enhancing knowledge in their fields
17
20%
7
Referred their related subjects
10
12%
8
Promoting relevant skill
13
15%
9
Knowing current technical implementations
13
15%
Table No. 6
5.5
6
6.5
7
Online learning has
increased academic
performance
Internet has become
important tools for
accessing
information
Online reading has
enhanced reading
behaviour and
knowledge
7
6
7
Perception about online reading
Figure 8: Criteria of adopting online reading
This figure represents that most of the users (95%) read current awareness and information for
access and knowledge update online and least no. of users (40%) adopt online reading for
general activities.
Search engine for online reading
Figure 9: Search engine for online reading
Responses of the Ph.D. Student reported that 85% of them use Google search engine for online
reading and other use yahoo & bing as online search engine 10% & 5% respectively.
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
23%
21%
8%
18%
10%
20%
12%
15% 15%
Criteria of adopting online reading
Google
85%
Yahoo
10%
Bing
5%
Search Engine
Search Technique used to Online Reading Documents
Sr. No.
Search Technique
Total
Percentag
e
1
Uniforms Resource Locator
15
16%
2
Search Engine
13
14%
3
Subjects
12
13%
4
Keywords
19
21%
5
Title
17
18%
6
Digital object identifier
16
17%
Table No. 7
Figure 10: Search Technique used to Online Reading Documents
Figure no. 10 shows that 16% of respondent uses Uniforms Resource Locator, 14% uses Search
Engine, 13% uses Subjects, 21% uses Keywords, 18% uses Title and 17% uses Digital object
identifier. The result shows that maximum users prefer keyword technique for online reading
documents.
Satisfaction level of users
Sr. No.
Satisfaction Review
Total
Percentage
1
Strongly Agree
01
05%
2
Agree
16
80%
3
Uncertain
03
15%
Table No. 8
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
Uniforms
Resource
Locator
Search Engine Subjects Keywords Title Digital object
identifier
16%
14%
13%
21%
18%
17%
Search Technique used to Online Reading Documents
Figure 11: Satisfaction level of users
In this table no. 8 and figure 11, it has been tried to explain that 5% Ph.D. student are strongly
or highly satisfied, 80% of them are satisfied with online reading, which is very good and the
rest which is 15% are uncertain.
Problem faced while browsing online reading
Figure 12: Problem faced while browsing online reading
Major problem faced by the scholars while online reading is that it is time consumption (29%).
As figure 12 indicates that lack of training (21%), lack of staff support, ITC infrastructure &
ITC skill are also a major issue in online reading.
0
5
10
15
20
Strongly Agree
Agree
Uncertain
1
16
3
Satisfaction level of users
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
21% 21%
29%
14%
7% 7%
43%
Problem faced while browsing online reading
Research Findings
Present study serves as a useful snapshot in finding user acceptance of online reading while
simultaneously highlighting the advantages and the problems encountered while accessing
them. The major findings of the study are 100% of the population likes to refer online reading.
And also, users are aware of the online reading. Majority of the researchers prefers online
reading for research purpose and some users (90%) for keeping their knowledge updated. There
are very few users who do online reading for any other purpose. Journal articles are preference
of the researchers to gain knowledge which is very helpful for them for their work, and 75%
of other users prefer e- book.
Conclusion
The findings derived from the study are based on a sample of 20 users. Although the findings
cannot be generalized but these provide notable insight into the latest trends being followed in
sphere of online reading behaviour. Online reading is an emerging phenomenon that has
converted all non-print documents into print form, that is, the rise of the Internet, there has been
a lot of change in reading behaviour so that now users get inconvenient benefits the study
reveals that the Ph.D. students of DLIS of BBAU rely on online reading resources for updating
knowledge and research purposes. The survey clearly indicates that use of online reading
materials is at growing stage. Online reading resources have now a became an essential part of
library because all library is changing their collection in e-form. With the use of Google and
other online materials are now accessible for reading at anywhere. The finding of study is the
majority of students are using electronic information resource for update the knowledge and
research purpose the students of Library Science Department’ are prefer e-journals and e-books
and they occasionally use database and other online reading material and resources. The
Internet and Digital resources are easy to study and also time saving for the students. Study
also reveals that proper infrastructure should be developed. The Central library should also
conduct workshops, user orientations programmes and training for best use online reading
materials The Central library budget should also be increased for procurement of latest reading
resources and more databases should also be acquired by library.
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