Rajnish Sharma ( Ph.D Research Scholar, Punjabi University, Patiala) Dr. Kiran Kathuria

1. INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF SCIENTISTS IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE: A CASE STUDY OF A RESEARCH CENTRE IN INDIA Rajnish Sharma (Ph.D Research Scholar, Punjabi University, Patiala) Dr. KiranKathuria (Assistant Professor, Punjabi University, Patiala)

2. Introduction • Any library and information centre is to provide services to its users from print as well as e-forms such as books, periodicals, magazines, pamphlets, standards, reports and theses, e-journals, online journal databases, e-consortium, Web-OPAC, list servers, etc. • In 21st century, the growth of literature has confused the user to select the appropriate information due to advancement in science and technology.

3. Print to Electronic resources • British Library predicted a switch from print to digital publishing by the year 2020. It is estimated that, by 2020, 40% of UK monographs will be available in exclusive electronic format while another 50% will be available in both print and digital. A mere 10% of new titles will be available in print alone by 2020 (British Library, 2005). British Library (2005, June 29). British Library predicts ‘switch to digital by 2020’ [Press Release]. Retrieved from: http://www.bl.uk/news/2005/pressrelease20050629.html

4. Methodology For this paper, a questionnaire was designed to collect the information from 22 scientists to know their information seeking behaviour strategies in ACIRD (Formerly TCIRD). This center is recognized by DSIR, Govt. of India as Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO).

5. Data analysisFigure 1: Gender wise breakup of respondents Figure 1 demonstrates that 77% respondents are male and 23% are females in all the research departments and divisions.

6. Figure 2 :Break up of preferred sources for getting information

7. Continued 2 • Figure 2 shows the preferred sources of the respondents to retrieve the information: • 82% are surfing internet and visiting the library • 77% discussing with their colleagues • More than 59% get the information by attending meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, lectures, etc. • 23% are getting information through LAN connectivity or computer networks/shared common folder.

8. Continued 2 • 18% respondents are getting information through e-mail to the librarian. • Whereas 14% from Research journals, books and visiting the industry, etc. • Only 5% respondents receive information through telephone due to their busy schedule.

9. Figure 3 :Different approaches for information search

10. Continued 3 • Figure 3 states that respondents mainly search by title approach i.e. 68% followed by subject approach which is 59%. Whereas keywords search ratio is 55%. • Search by both Patent/specification number and author approach is 36%. Chemical formula search strategy is 23% followed by 14% that is product name search.

11. Figure 4: Formal sources of information generally sought

12. Continued 4 • Figure 4 illustrates that 55% respondents consult online journals/database/archive followed by 50% who use reference sources. • While 36% respondents use books/monographs and research journals. • 23% respondents mainly consult patents/pamphlet/standard/specifications and conference/workshop/seminar/proceeding of conference/workshop and periodicals, etc. • Only 5% use library for other services.

13. Figure 5: How often respondents use online services

14. Continued 5 • Figure 5 depicts that 50% respondents use the online services frequently followed by 36.5% who browse internet daily. • Only 4.5 percent respondents use it weekly, fortnightly and/or rarely.

15. Figure 6: Use of search engines

16. Continued 6 • Figure 6 demonstrates that majority of the respondents (91%) use the Google Scholar & Pulp & Paper search engine for information seeking and literature search. • Only 4.5% scientists use the Paper Pundit.com search engine for their information needs. • Whereas 4.5% prefer other search engines like Sciencedirect.com and Scifinder, etc.

17. Figure 7 : Use of Email

18. Continued 7 • Figure 7 shows the majority of (89%) respondents use the email for communication and for their information requirements. • There are 11% respondents, who do not prefer email.

19. Figure 8: Availing the facility of Internet

20. Continued 8 • Figure 8 demonstrates that 87% of the respondents use internet facility at the research centre whereas 59% use it at their home. • Only 23% respondents prefer to use the internet facility in the library.

21. Figure 9: Purpose of internet browsing

22. Continued 9 • Figure 9 illustrates the purpose of internet browsing: • 41% respondents browse the internet for literature search followed by 32% who use it for product/equipment information. • 27% access it for getting technical reports while 23% use the internet for correspondence/emails, etc. • 14% respondents surf the internet for knowing methodology and submission of projects. • whereas 9% use it for Patent search and International collaboration.

23. Figure 10: How to keep abreast with current developments

24. Continued 10 • Figure 10 shows that majority of them (77%) access online journals/e-Archive/online database and internet/emails, etc. • 45% respondents are using library’s specialized services-i.e. CAS/SDI. • 41% respondents scan only current issues of print/online journals. • 36% of respondents update themselves with reading PAP (Pulp and Paper) Info Bi-monthly Bulletin (soft copy) whereas 27% respondents read newsletters of other organizations. • Only 5% respondents update their knowledge by consulting current contents list provided by the library.

25. Figure 11: Use of CAPS (Contents, Abstracts, Photocopying Service) of 120 Journals provided by NISCAIR through e-mail

26. Continued 11 • Figure 12 depicts that majority of the respondents (85%) feel CAPS content list of 120 journals of NISCAIR, New Delhi is very useful for them while 15% respondents are not of the same opinion.

27. Figure 12: Usage of CD-Roms

28. Continued 12 • From the above figure 12, it is clear that 45% use the TAPPI CD-Roms. • 23% of respondents use miscellaneous CD-ROMs of conference/seminars related to pulp and paper area. • 9% respondents prefer to use PAPTAC CD Roms.

29. Figure 13: Print/E-Journals

30. Continued 13 • Figure 13 shows that 50% respondents prefer to use E-Journals. • Although printed journals are also preferred by 36.36% respondents. • 13.63% respondents prefer to use the both formats.

31. Discussion and findings • Major findings of the paper are: • 77% Respondents are maximally using the latest technology for updating their knowledge i.e. Internet, e-mail, online journal/e-journal/e-archive/databases, etc. • 91% respondents prefer to use Google Scholar search engine for information seeking and literature search. • 89% respondents use the email for communication purpose. • 87% use the internet facility at the research centre. • 85% prefer to use CAPS (Contents, Abstract and Photocopying Service) provided monthly by NISCAIR, New Delhi by email. • 68% search documents by Title approach.

32. Conclusion • The information presented in this paper provides a sketch of the information seeking behavior of scientists in anindustrial research and development centre (SIRO) situated in India. • In present scenario, electronic resources and databases are essential part of collection of any library and information centre for speedy access of information. • Electronic resources and databases provide freedom to scientist community for easy search and information retrieval by any approach i.e. keywords, title, author, place, publisher, publication, year, etc.

33. Conclusion • 50% scientists prefer electronic databases/e-journals/e-archive/online/internet/email and freely available online journals, etc. as their demands and requirement are served fully from these journals. • Still 36.36% scientists prefer printed collection only whereas 13.63% prefer to use the print as well as electronic form of databases of journals provided by the library along with their individual subscription of e-journals.

34. Thanks