Electronic Information Resources Utilization by Medical Students in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University

Abstract

This study evaluated the utilization of electronic information resources in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Library by Medical students by addressing four objectives namely; identifying the awareness of e-resources by Medical students in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, determining the level of use and the relevance of e-resources in General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Medical library, identifying the problems in accessing e-resources and lastly proposing strategies to promote the usage of e-resources by Medical students. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to elicit data from respondents from this study. One hundred and eighty respondents participated in the study. Data was collected by use of questionnaires personally circulated among the students and various documents analysis. The study found that majority of medical students, i.e. 89 (77.4%) did not use e-resources due to unawareness of available e-resources at the library. However, it is quite interesting, that the majority of the respondents (53%) use e-resources weekly. The main problem associated with accessing e-resources was poor internet connection. In order to exploit the full potential of e-resources, the library should undertake a more active role in informing, promoting, and educating the members of the academic community in the university.