Effect Of Electronic Information Resources Utilization On Research Output: Case Of Jimma University Academic Staffs

Abstract

This thesis is aimed at the “Effect of Electronic Information Resources Utilization on Research Output: Case of Jimma University Academic Staff” with a view to survey the extent to which academic staffs utilize electronic information resources provided by Jimma University Library System (JULS) for their research work. The study used a survey method; a clustered sampling technique was employed to select 257 subjects from a population of 779 academic staffs. Questionnaire was instrument used for data collection and the response rate was 229 (89.1%). The study investigated that 76.0% of academic staffs were utilizing EIRs provided by JULS and they were utilizing these resources for their research work because of its importance in saving time and easy to use when compared to conventional (printed) sources. There was significant difference among academic staffs on reasons for utilizing EIRs on ease of use. The study also found out that academic staffs were generally negative on applying search techniques in searching materials from EIRs provided by JULS for their research work. In the same vein, there was also significant difference among academic staffs in applying search techniques (Boolean and weighted term search) in their search. The study also revealed that insufficient EIRs, Lack of search skills and slow downloading are the three most affected hindrances in accessing EIRs provided by JULS. There was significant difference among academic staffs on factors such as incompatible user interface to the library website and power failure that hinder access to EIRs provided by JULS. The study found out that the utilization of electronic information resources provided by JULS enhanced research output of academic staff considerably in reducing searching printed research materials in libraries, easier to find materials and easier to keep up to date. It indicated that there was significant difference on the enhancement of research output resulted from EIRs utilization in ease of finding materials and reducing searching printed materials in libraries. The study found out that there was significant relationship between electronic information resources utilization and research output. The study concluded with recommendations for further study.