Internet use by social scientists at the Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan: a survey.
Bhatti, Rubina ; Asghar, Mahe Bushra ; Mukhtar, Sarwat 等
Introduction
Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan South Punjab, Pakistan
Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan was established in 1975 by an
act of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. To pay tribute to the Great
Saint Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, the name was changed in 1979. The
University offers a wide range of programmes: M.A., M.Sc. MBA, M.Com.,
MCS, M.Phil and Ph.D. It is divided into seven faculties: Faculty of
Arts and social Sciences, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Business
Administration, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Islamia Studies and
Languages, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Veterinary Science
(Prospectus, 2009 P-14).
Bahauddin Zakariya University Library, Multan
The library collection support not only every course in the
curriculum but also include selected stock of general reference books,
periodicals, publications, newspapers etc. Most of the departments have
their own departmental libraries situated in their own buildings. The
total number of books in the Central and Departmental libraries is
1,66,583. The BZU Library offers online access to latest material
through internet and Higher Education Commission Digital Library
Pakistan as well. The Internet facilities are provided in the main
library, departmental libraries and computer laboratory. The
administration of the Library is vested in the Library Committee, which
is responsible for efficient management of the Library.
Important research questions:
The present study was conducted to find out the answers of the
following
questions:
* How social scientist of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
consider the Internet useful and effective for exploring information for
teaching, research, recreational and other purposes?
* What are their purposes of seeking information on internet?
* What search engines are used by them?
* What places do they prefer for internet usage and time spent per
week?
* What problems do they face in seeking information on internet?
Research Design
A survey questionnaire was applied. It was piloted on 12 social
scientists with the purpose to ascertain reliability of the data
collection instrument. A comprehensive review of related studies was
conducted. The population of the study comprises 70 social scientist
from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (Department of Economics,
Education, History, Geography, Pakistan studies and Gender Studies,
Political Science and International Relations, Mass communication,
Sociology, Applied Psychology, Philosophy, Multan College of Arts,
Undergraduate Studies in Social Sciences) in Bahauddin Zakariya
University, Multan. Author's friends in Multan helped in
distributing and collecting the responses. Data collected were analysed
using descriptive statistics: frequency counts and percentages. Several
relevant studies and a few available questionnaires were used to develop
a questionnaire with closed-ended questions. It is important to note
that the simmilar questionnaire was used to assess infromation needs of
faculty members in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur by the same
author.
Why Internet?
Libraries in developing countries, Pakistan included have been
facing problems of acquiring and providing latest sources of information
to foster teaching and research activities in all kinds of academic
institutions. Universities are responsible for supporting its faculty,
researchers and students in their academic ventures, but the escalating
cost of reading materials and space problems are the major obstacles. In
the prevailing situation, the Internet has solved the problems of
accessing current and relevant piece of information in less time to a
great extent. It provides right information to the right user at the
right time. It provides access to numerous sources of information and
search engines and it eases and increases access to a large amount of
data, saves time and money, and gives an opportunity to consult several
experts with a single request (via discussion groups), and greater
independence from specific times and places for information seeking
(Savolainen, 1999).
Review of relevant literature shows that Internet is being utilised
in academic institutions worldwide A library is responsible for
providing all kinds of information resources in whatever format i.e.
book, non-book and electronic. At the same time, it is imperative that
users' internet use pattern must be studied together with library
usage activities. This paper is an attempt to assess the same that helps
in providing relevant collection, services and designing suitable
library operations and systems.
Literature Review
A review of the related research was conducted with the purpose
that these studies would help the researcher in doing the present study
into Pakistani context. It must be noted that present author found these
studies by using internet resources due to the unavailability and
inadequacy of research material in printed format in the academic
libraries of Pakistan. Journal articles and conference proceeding found
on the internet proved very useful.
Internet use by the Chinese faculty, researchers, and students was
studied by Dong (2003) that showed more men than women used the
internet. It revealed that they mostly used e-mail (84.8 percent) and
browsed WWW (58.2 percent). They learned to use the internet mainly
through self-instruction (46.1 percent) and colleagues or friends (35.7
percent).
Mamtora (2003) evaluated the Internet use by the academics of the
University of the South Pacific which pointed that a large majority of
the respondents used e-mail to communicate and WWW to seek information.
It concluded that the academics required specific training in the use of
the internet.
Internet use by 218 faculty members of the University of Rajshahi,
Bangladesh was analysed by Nasir Uddin in (2003). The study revealed
that internet was mainly used for e-mailing (88.07 percent), accessing
WWW resources (70.64 percent), and downloading files (55.96 percent).
Faculty members mostly used the internet for contacting overseas
education and research organizations (74.31 percent), information about
publications (68.81 percent), and finding information about higher
education opportunities (53.67 percent), and seeking conference
information (44.5 percent) and searching library resources (29.36
percent). The least used activities were job-seeking (18.35 percent),
and about twelve percent of his respondents had never used the internet.
It The least used tools were audio-video (5.5 percent), mailing lists
(8.26 percent), and telephone (9.63 percent).
Momani (2003) investigated the purpose, nature, extent, and
satisfaction with the use of the internet by the applied science and
technology faculty in Jordan. The findings revealed that the internet
was considered as an effective tool to search for all kinds of
information including research and communications. The respondents
mentioned some of the obstacles included: lack of time, lack of access,
lack of speed, lack of training, and lack of university support.
In 2006, Al-Ansari assessed Internet use by the faculty members of
Kuwait University. This study was designed to investigate the patterns
of internet use by the faculty including purposes for use, its impact on
teaching and research, internet resources used, and the problems faced
while using the internet. A structured questionnaire was used to collect
data from the faculty coming from four colleges of Kuwait University,
i.e. Arts, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Engineering. The study
revealed that the internet is mostly used for communication, research,
and publication by saving time, find up to date information, and
cooperate with their colleagues. Slow speed, lack of time, and lack of
access from home are the major problems.
Data Analysis and Discussion
Demographics of respondents
An analysis of the demographics of the respondents reveal that 42
male and 28 female social scientists took part in the study. It showed
that 12 respondents (17%) hold PhD degree, 17 (24%) M.Phil and 41 (58%)
have M.A. in their fields. Of the twelve respondents holding Ph.D, four
professors and eight were associate professors. Seventeen
respondents' designation was assistant professors and fourty one
were lecturers.
Purposes for using internet by social scientists
The data shoed that social sceientists have a variety of purposes
for using the internet A vast majority use intenet for for teaching
(48%), followed by (31%) for resaerch. Of seventy respondents (34%) use
it for doing Mphil and PhD, 25% social sciectists consult inter for
guiding research studnets and 17% for writing a resaerch paper for a
journal or conference. Frequeccies are presented in Table 1.
Sources of information used on Internet
The responses regarding the use of internet sources revealed that
databases, e-journals, online indexing and abstracting services are used
by 35%, 34%and 28% respectively. Most social scientists also prefer to
use E-books, E-encyclopedias and E-dictionaries. Online workshops are
less preferred by the social scientists (07%) in BZ University, Multan.
The frequencies of responses are shown in table 2.
Internet Services Utilisation (multiple choice)
E-mail service is being utilised by a large majority (85%) followed
by WWW (78%).
Social scientists use Academically-oriented mailing lists,
Listservs, and News group 38%, 32% and 47% respectively. Electronic
translation service is used by none. Other responses are presented in
Table 3.
Time Spent on Internet per Week (single choice)
Time spent on internet per week showed that 28% respondents spend
10-8 hours a week, followed by 6-4 hours by 25%. The lowest percentage
of internet usage by 22% social scientists in BZ University is 2-4 hours
per week. Other responses are presented in table 4.
Preferred Places for Internet Usage
Social scientists in BZU were asked about their preferred placed of
consulting internet resources. 34% use their university main library
whereas 31% prefer home for inter usage, this response was received by
mainly female respondents may due to cultural problems. In addition,
ladies have to look after home and family that is why home is the most
suitable place for female social science faculty members. Cyber cafes
are used by only 05%. Table 5 can be consulted for detailed responses.
Search Engines Used
Social scietist were asked to indiacte their fvauourite serch
engine. Data pointed out that Goggle is widely used search engine by
social scientists (68%) followed by yahoo 55%. It is interesting that
Infoseek, Altavista are significantly less used whereas WebCrawler is
used by none. See table 6 for other frequencies.
Benefits of Internet as perceived by social scientists.
This important question solicited the social scientists opinions
regarding the benefits of Internet. The responses revealed that they
perceive it very beneficial as 48% think that they have to spend less
time in searching for their required information. 35% consider it very
useful for accessing distant publications followed by 34% saying fast
access to unlimited resources. 31% said that they have to make less
effort on internet and for 21% it is useful for developing up-to-date
knowledge. The detail is given in table 7.
Sources of learning the Internet use
The interesting responses revealed through this question. 50%
social scientists learn through their personal effort using trial and
error technique. 14% online instruction, 11% courses taught at the
university, almost 06% help by library staff and 17% by reading books,
articles on the internet respectively. About 26% attend refresher &
short courses, awareness programmes, workshops etc. outside the
University, the reason for going outside the university may be
inadequacy of help provided by the University and its library and stated
above only four respondents mentioned that they received help from
library staff. It is worth mentioning here that there is lack of formal
training for library staff in using internet resources for themselves
and helping users at the BZ University. 28% learn their own children and
21% get help from colleagues and friends. See table 8.
Difficulties while seeking information
A question was asked regarding the difficulties faced by them while
using the internet. Majority (57%) complained for the shortage of
computers in the university library and their departments. They demanded
for more computers and internet facility so that internet resources and
services can best be exploited by them. Respondents were asked to
identify any problems that they might have faced while using the
internet. 38% pointed out that lack of knowledge and training about
internet information retrieving techniques is a major problem. 34%
pointed out that the subscription of e-journals is expensive. Lack of
awareness, expensive subscription, English language material, slow speed
and lack of time are the other problems mentioned by the respondents.
Their responses are presented in Table 8.
Conclusion
The study pointed out that that Internet in academic institutions
has changed the way social scientists seek, retrieve and use
information. Due to fact that the Internet delivers better, faster, more
timely communication with colleagues and sources of information social
scientists in BZU tend to moving towards internet rapidly. . The data
acquired through this study showed a more realistically positive picture
of internet use by social scientists than expected. In order to survive
in new information era they are willingly ready to cope with the
challenges posed by new information and communication technologies.
Social scientists is Bahauddin Zakariya University do not rely only on
print sources of information any more rather exploiting the internet for
teaching, research, doing MPhil and PhD, guiding research students,
writing and submitting articles to journals and conferences. Another
factor that is leading them towards internet is the inadequacy of latest
books, journals and reference material in the university main and
departmental libraries. Social scientists understand the value of it for
keeping themselves up-to-date and well informed of the latest trends in
their fields of interests. Though not totally satisfactorily, but a
reasonable number of respondents are aware of the usefulness of
E-journals E-books, E-encyclopedias, E-dictionaries, Online abstracting
& indexing services, Online bibliographical services and databases
for teaching, research and other purposes.
Keeping in view the current responses, it is envisaged that if the
internet services and facilities be improved in the BZU, the social
scientists would make the more positive and effective use of it. This
study has implications for the university authorities, library
management and IT section of the BZU Library. The sources of learning
internet portray an interesting picture as half of respondent use their
personal effort using trial and error technique. Some of them learn from
their own children and seek help from colleagues and friends. University
and its library give no provision in this regard.
The problems reported include inadequate number of computers, lack
of awareness and any formal training, slow speed, lack of time, shortage
of latest e-books and e-journals and English language material. These
are the indication for Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, South
Punjab to take steps to improve the current situation to provide the
proper facilities to foster teaching, learning, research plans. It must
develop a proper university and library's home page.
Considering the findings of the study it may be suggested that the
Bahauddin Zakariya University and its library need to improve it IT
infrastructure in order to bring its services and resource provision at
par with the countries with developed education and library systems,
services, operations and facilities. There is a continuous need to study
the composite education, research, information and other demands of all
categories of library users. University authorities should facilitate
and encourage the users by allocating sufficient budget to main and
departmental libraries for maintaining and developing IT infrastructure
and facilities.
References
Al-Ansari, (2006), "Internet use by the faculty members of
Kuwait University", The Electronic Library, Vol. 24, No. 6 pp.
791-803
Dong, X. (2003), "Searching information and evaluation of
internet: a Chinese academic user survey", International
Information & Library Review, Vol. 35 No.2-4, pp.163-87.
IRISS, (1998) "The Internet Research and Information for
Social Scientists (IRISS) conference", Bristol University, UK
Mamtora, J. (2003), "The efficacy of academic use of the
internet at USP", COMLA Bulletin, Vol. 1 pp.34-9.
McKie and Guchteneire (2003) "The Internet for Social
Scientists", www.unesco.org/shs/most.
Momani, H.A. (2003), "Evaluation of the nature, extent, and
satisfaction with the use of the internet by applied science and
technology faculty members in Jordan", PhD dissertation, University
of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, .
Savolainen, R. (1999) "The role of the Internet in information
seeking: Putting the networked services in context". Information
Processing and Management, 35(6), 765-782.
Nasir Uddin, M. (2003), "Internet use by university academics:
a bipartite study of information and communication needs", Online
Information Review, Vol. 27 No.4, pp.225-37.
Dr. Rubina Bhatti Assistant Professor & Coordinator, M.Phil
Programme Department of Library and information Science The Islamia
University of Bahawalpur South Punjab, Pakistan
Mrs. Mahe Bushra Asghar Lecturer Department of Library and
information Science The Islamia University of Bahawalpur South Punjab,
Pakistan
Mrs. Sarwat Mukhtar Lecturer Department of Library and information
Science The Islamia University of Bahawalpur South Punjab, Pakistan
Tariq M. Chohan Librarian The Islamia University Library of
Bahawalpur The Islamia University of Bahawalpur South Punjab, Pakistan
Table 1. Purposes of seeking information on internet by social
scientists
Options Frequency Percentage
1 Teaching purpose 40 57%
2 Research purpose 22 31%
3 For doing M.Phil and PhD 24 34%
4 Guiding researcher students 18 25%
5 Developing up-to-date knowledge 15 21%
6 For writing a research paper for a
journal or conference 12 17%
7 For submitting research papers to
national and international
journals and conferences online 12 17%
8 Recreational purpose 25 35%
9 Personal purposes 20 28%
10 Seeking scholarships for higher
studies 24 34%
11 Seeking job online 02 2.85%
12 Online Chatting 35 50%
13 Others 11 15%
Sources of information used on Internet
Table 2. Sources of information on Internet
Options Frequency Percentage
1 E-journals 24 34%
2 E-books 12 17%
3 E-encyclopedias 15 21%
4 E-dictionaries 18 25%
5 Online abstracting & indexing services 20 28%
6 Online bibliographical services 12 17%
7 Online Workshops 05 07%
8 Discussion groups 08 11%
9 Databases 25 35%
10 Others 000 15%
Internet Services Utilisation (multiple choice)
Table 3. Internet services utilisation
Options Frequency Percentage
1 E-mail 60 85%
2 Academically-oriented mailing lists 28 38%
3 Listservs 23 32%
4 Newsgroup 33 47%
5 The World Wide Web 55 78%
6 External library Catalogue 0.00 0.00
7 Document Delivery services 12 0.00%
8 Downloading software 0.00 0.00
9 Electronic translation services 0.00 0.00%
10 Telnet connections 0.00 07.00%
Time Spent on Internet per Week (single choice)
Table 4. How Many Hours per week
Options Frequency Percentage
1 20-15 hours per week 11 15%
2 15-10 hours per week 13 19%
3 10-8 hours per week 20 28%
4 8-6 hours per week 17 24%
5 6-4 hours per week 18 25%
6 4-2 hours per week 16 22%
7 None 0.00 0.00
Preferred Places for Internet Usage & time spent
Table 5. Preferred Places for Internet usage
Options Frequency Percentage
1 University Library 24 34%
2 Workplace 19 27%
3 Computer Lab 15 21%
4 Home 22 31%
5 Cybercafes 03 05%
6 Other 10 14%
Search Engines Used
Table 6. Search Engines Used
Options Frequency Percentage
1 Google 48 68%
2 Yahoo 39 55%
3 MSN 15 21%
4 Inforseek 05 07
5 Altavista 03 4.28
6 webcrawler 0.00 0.00%
7 Other 0.00 0.00
Benefits of Internet as perceived by Social Scientists
Table 7. Benefits of Internet as perceived by Social Scientists
Options Frequency Percentage
1 Less time 40 57%
2 Less effort 22 31%
3 Useful for accessing distant
publications 25 35%
4 Fast access to unlimited resources 24 34%
5 Makes independent in searching all
types of resources 18 25%
6 Helps developing up-to-date knowledge 15 21%
7 Faster and easier communication 12 17%
8 Quick Submission of research papers
locally and internationally 12 17%
9 Saves from troublesome browsing of
print material 18 25%
10 Current awareness service of
libraries 20 28%
11 Consulting websites of online
bookstores i.e. Amazon.com 0.00 0.00
11 Publisher catalogues and flyers 0.00 0.00
12 Others (please specify) 11 15%
Sources of learning the Internet use (multiple responses)
Table 8. Sources of learning use of Internet (multiple responses)
Options Frequency Percentage
1 Personal effort, trial and
error technique 35 50%
2 Online instruction 10 14.2%
3 Courses taught at the university 08 11.4%
4 Help by library staff 04 5.71%
4 By reading books, articles on
the internet 12 17.1%
5 Refresher & short courses,
awareness programmes, workshops
etc. outside the University 18 25.7%
6 Help from colleagues and friends 15 21.4%
7 Other (own children, exhibition, etc.) 20 28.5%
Difficulties while seeking information
Table. 9: Difficulties while seeking information
Options Frequency Percentage
1 Subscription of latest e-journals
is expensive 24 34%
2 English language material 19 27%
3 Lack of awareness of the
availability of material 15 21%
4 Shortage of latest e-books 20 28%
5 Information scattered in too many
sources 03 05%
6 Lack of time (Overworked) 10 14%
7 Slow speed 17 24%
8 Lack of knowledge about internet
information retrieving techniques 28 38%
9 Unavailability of internet facility
in the departments 14 20%
10 Shortage of computers 40 57
11 Others (Please specify) 0.00 0.00
