Awareness and Usage of Information Retrieval Functionalities Found in the Online Public Access Catalogue by Undergraduates at the University of Venda
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/12753Keywords:
Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), OPAC functionalities, information-searching behaviour, undergraduate students, University of VendaAbstract
Calls for a shift from the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) to discovery systems craft a need for recognising the information-searching behaviour of the current genre of library users. This study examined the undergraduate students’ awareness and usage of information search functionalities that are embedded in OPAC at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) in Limpopo Province, South Africa (SA). Quantitative data were collected using a Google Form questionnaire, the link of which was e-mailed to the participants to complete. A systematic random sampling method was applied to arrive at 563 respondents. The findings revealed that most respondents rated their level of awareness of OPAC as average. Although some were familiar with OPAC search functionalities, such as author-and-title search entries, and preferred using simple search options on OPAC, there were respondents who were not familiar with Boolean operators, truncation and wildcard symbols, proximity operators, and field search. The major variables affecting their information retrieval on OPAC were poor internet connection and their lack of skills in searching for information from OPAC. This study recommends that librarians promote the importance of using all OPAC functionalities and train undergraduates to improve their awareness and optimal usage of OPAC.
Metrics
References
Abera, G. 2019. “Web Information Seeking Behaviour of Academic Staff: In Case of Assosa University.” International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development 2 (5): 706–720.
Adeleke, D. S., and E. N. Emeahara. 2016. “Relationship between Information Literacy and Use of Electronic Information Resources by Postgraduate Students of the University of Ibadan.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal): 1381. Accessed April 20, 2021. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1381.
Adeyemi, I. O., and K. Omopupa. 2020. “Moving from OPAC to Discovery Systems: Nigerian Librarians’ Perceived Knowledge and Readiness.” Cataloguing and Classification Quarterly 58 (2): 149–168. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639374.2020.1715520. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01639374.2020.1715520
Aju, D. T., and S. T. Foti. 2020. “Undergraduates’ Awareness, Utilization and Satisfaction with Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) in Public University Libraries in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.” Library and Information Perspectives and Research 2 (1): 18–29. https://doi.org/10.47524/liprv2i1.2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47524/liprv2i1.2
Arshad, A., and F. Shafique. 2014. “What Do Users Prefer, Card Catalogue or OPAC? A Study of Punjab University Library.” The Electronic Library 32 (3): 286–295. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2012-0093. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2012-0093
Atanda, L. A., and J. E. Ugwulebo. 2017. “Awareness, Access and Utilization of Library Catalogue by Undergraduate Students of the College of Law, Osun State University Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.” International Journal of Library and Information Science 9 (11): 115 –121.
Avhad, S. 2022. “Information Seeking Behaviour of Post Graduate Science Students in KVNN Naik Arts, Commerce and Science College Nasik.” Pearl: A Journal of Library and Information Science 16 (4): 191–197. https://doi.org/10.5958/0975-6922.2022.00021.3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/0975-6922.2022.00021.3
Baca, M. (Ed.). 2016. Introduction to Metadata. Los Angeles: Getty Publications.
Blummer, B., and J. M. Kenton. 2014. Improving student Information Search: A Metacognitive Approach. Amsterdam: Chandos Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781780634623.23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1533/9781780634623.23
Chilimo, W. 2014. “Next Generation Catalogues: How Are the Academic Libraries in Kenya Faring?” Mousaion 32 (3): 93–118. https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1679. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/0027-2639/1679
Chinyere, E. U. 2014. “Effect of Library Instruction on Satisfaction with the Use of Library and its Services: A Study of Undergraduate Students in Five Universities in the Southern Part of Nigeria.” Library Philosophy and Practice 10 (13): 1–10. Accessed August 9, 2023. http://repository.elizadeuniversity.edu.ng/handle/20.500.12398/743.
Civilcharran, S., M. S. Maharaj, and M. Hughes. 2015. “Uncovering Web Search Tactics in South African Higher Education.” South African Journal of Information Management 17 (1): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v17i1.644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v17i1.644
Clifford, I. B., and O. Y. Zaccus. 2015. “Users’ Attitude towards the Use of Library Catalogue in Two Selected University Libraries in South West Nigeria.” Journal of Applied Information Science and Technology 8 (1): 44–55.
Costello, L. 2016. “Title Description and Subject Are the Most Important Metadata Fields for Keyword Discoverability.” Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 11 (3): 88–90. https://doi.org/10.18438/B80S5K. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18438/B80S5K
Ekenna, M. M., and I. Mabawonku. 2013. “Information Retrieval Skills and Use of Library Electronic Resources by University Undergraduates in Nigeria.” Information and Knowledge Management 3 (9): 6–14.
Eserada, R. E., and S. E. Okolo. 2019. “Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) in selected University Libraries in South-South Nigeria.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal): 2586. Accessed August 24, 2021. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2586
Eserada, R. E., S. E. Okolo, and P. N. Ideh. 2019. “Computer Self-efficacy as Determinant to the Use of Online Public Access Catalogue: A Case Study of Selected Universities in Niger Delta Region.” Computer Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal): 2943. Accessed November 6, 2022. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2943/.
Ferdows, J., and S. M. Z. Ahmed. 2015. “An Empirical Investigation of Information Skills among Undergraduate Students at Dhaka University.” Library Review 64 (4/5): 274–284. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-11-2014-0132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-11-2014-0132
Fisher, K. E., S. Erdelez, and L. E. McKechnie. 2005. Theories of Information Behavior. Medford NJ: Information Today.
Fresnido, A. M. B., and A. S. Barsaga. 2019. “Transaction Log Analysis of Online Public Access Catalogue in an Academic Library: Basic of OPAC Interphase Improvement.” Philippine Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 39 (1): 29–40.
Frey, B. 2018.The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Research Measurement and Evaluation, Vols. 1–4. Thousand Oaks CA: SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506326139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781506326139
Gana, M., D. O. Ajibili, and D. Abel. 2019. “Awareness and Use of OPAC by Patrons of Bingham University Library Karu Nasarawa State Nigeria.” Journal of ICT Development Applications and Research 1: 61–69.
Georgas, H. 2014. “Google vs. the Library (Part II): Student Search Patterns and Behaviors when Using Google and a Federated Search Tool.” Portal: Libraries and the Academy 14 (4), 503–532. doi:10.1353/pla.2014.0034. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2014.0034. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2014.0034
Gohain, A., and M. Saikia. 2013. “Use and User Satisfaction on Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Services among B. Tech. Students of School of Engineering in Tezpur University: A Survey.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) 990. Accessed August 9, 2023. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/18199499.pdf.
Haider, U., S. H. Batool, A. Malik, K. Mahmood, and M. Safdar. 2022. “Bonding between Information Literacy and Personal Information Management Practices: A Survey of Electronic Media Journalists.” Information and Learning Sciences 123 (5/6): 298–316. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-01-2021-0005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-01-2021-0005
Harisanty, D., N. E. V. Anna, T. E. Putri, A. A. Firdaus, and N. A. Noor Azizi. 2022. “Leaders, Practitioners and Scientists’ Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Libraries: A Pilot Study.” Library Hi Tech. Accessed August 11, 2023. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/LHT-07-2022-0331/full/html. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-10-2021-0356. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-10-2021-0356
Howlader, A. I., and M. A. Islam. 2019. “Information-seeking Behaviour of Undergraduate Students: A Developing Country Perspective. IFLA Journal 45 (2): 140–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035219842312. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0340035219842312
Islam, M., and S. M. Z. Ahmed. 2011. “Measuring Dhaka University Students’ Perceptions of ease-of-use and their Satisfaction with University Library’s Online Public Access Catalogue.” Performance Management and Metrics 12 (3): 142–156. https://doi.org/10.1108/14678041111196631. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/14678041111196631
Larson, A. G. 2018. “A Survey on the Use of Online Public Access Catalogue among Undergraduate Students at Osagyefo Library University of Education Winneba Ghana.” International Journal of Pedagogy Policy and ICT in Education 6 (1): 43–46.
Leung, B. T. H., J. Xie, L. Geng, P. N. I. Pun, B. T. H. Leung, J. Xie, and L. Geng. 2019. “Information Search Strategies.” Transferring Information Literacy Practices, 11–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7743-3_2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7743-3_2
Lwehabura, M. J. F. 2018. “An Assessment of Information Literacy Skills among First-year Postgraduate Students at Sokoine University of Agriculture Tanzania.” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 50 (4): 427–434. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000616667802. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000616667802
Machet, M. 2012. Mastering Information Skills in the 21st Century. Pretoria: Unisa Press.
Makun, G., O. A. Danjuma, and A. Dare. 2019. “Awareness and Use of OPAC by Patrons of Bingham University Library Karu Nasarawa State Nigeria.” Journal of ICT Development Applications and Research 1 (1): 61–69.
Maree, K. 2016.First Steps in Research, 2nd edition. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
Mehrad, J., and F. Rahimi. 2012. “Online Search Skills of Shiraz University Post Graduate Students: A Survey.” International Journal of Information Science and Management (IJISM) 7 (1): 1–13.
Molepo, C. M., and S. Bopape. 2019. “Information Literacy Education: Perceptions Proficiencies and Experiences of First-entering Students at TUT.” Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies 36 (3): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/5044. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/5044
Monyela, M. J. 2019. “Cataloguing Practices from Creation to Use: A Study of Cape Town Metropolitan Public Libraries in Western Cape Province South Africa. “Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Information Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg.
Monyela, M. 2020. “Rethinking Cataloguing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). Accessed November 6, 2022. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac.
Morupisi, L., and N. P. Mooko. 2006. “Using the Online Public Access Catalogue at the University of Botswana.” Information Development 22 (3): 197–203. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666906069196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666906069196
Msagati, N. 2016. “Awareness and Use of OPAC by Distance Learners: The Case of the Open University of Tanzania.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) 1482. Accessed November 5, 2022. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1482/.
Nahotko, M. 2020. “OPAC Development as the Genre Transition Process, Part 1: OPAC Generations Historical Development.” Annals of Library and Information Studies 67 (2). Accessed August 10, 2023. https://ruj.uj.edu.pl/xmlui/handle/item/262993.
Naik, D., and K. Nikam. 2014. “Attitudes of Law University Library Users towards the Use of Web OPAC in Karnataka.” Electronic Library 32 (6): 825–833. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-10-2012-0132. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-10-2012-0132
Narayanaswamy, B. V. 2019. “Awareness and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Services by the Users of Bangalore University Library: A Study.” International Journal of Library and Information Studies 9 (2): 63–70.
Ndumbaro, F. 2018. “Understanding User-system Interactions: An Analysis of OPAC Users’ Digital Footprints.” Information Development 34 (3): 297–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666917693885. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666917693885
Nemalili, T. V. 2015. “An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Academic Library Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) by Students: A Case of University of Venda Library.” Doctoral thesis, School of Management Science, University of Venda.
Nwobu, B., O. Oyewole, and J. K. Apotiade. 2016. “Computer Self-efficacy as Correlate of On-line Public Access Catalogue Use: A Case Study.” Information Impact: Journal of Information and Knowledge Management 7 (2): 15–26. https://doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v7i2.2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v7i2.2
Obim, I. V., C. Ezeani, and C. Nwadike. 2017. “Challenges and Strategies for Enhancing the Utilization of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) by Undergraduates in three Nigerian University Libraries.” In 1st International Conference and Home Coming of the Department of Library and Information Science University of Nigeria Nsukka.
Onah, J. C., I. O. Adayi, E. A. Okonkwo, and G. U. Onyebuchi. 2020. “Information Retrieval Skills as it Correlates to Undergraduate Use of Library Information Resources at a Nigerian University.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). Accessed August 9, 2023. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4586
Rout, R., and P. Panigrahi. 2018. “Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Usage Patterns among the Library Users of Odisha: A Study.” International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS) 7 (1): 28–34. https://doi.org/10.34218/IJLIS.7.1.2018.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34218/IJLIS.7.1.2018.005
Rowley, J., and R. Hartley. 2017.Organizing Knowledge: An Introduction to Managing Access to Information. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315247519. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315247519
Rubin, R. E. 2017. Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: American Library Association.
Saliba, R. 2021. “An Examination of Undergraduate Students’ Engagement in an Information Literacy Blended Course.” Studies in Technology Enhanced Learning. Accessed May 11, 2021. https://stel.pubpub.org/pub/01-02-saliba-2021/release/1. https://doi.org/10.21428/8c225f6e.d9353801. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21428/8c225f6e.d9353801
Sarma, G. K. 2016. “OPAC Module in Open Source Library Management Software: A Comparative Study. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology 36 (1): 56–61. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.36.1.9223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.36.1.9223
Shetty, S., R. Hedge, and R. D. Pai. 2016. “Search techniques in electronic databases: Skill for information professionals.” In National Conference on Management of Modern Libraries (NACML-2016,) February 2016. Department of Library and Information Science Manipal University Manipal. Accessed April 20, 2021. https://eprints.manipal.edu/148176/.
Shorunke, O. A., O. A. Eluwoye, and S. A. Gbenu. 2014. “Evaluating Users’ Satisfaction with Landmark University’s Online Access Catalogue.” Samara Journal of Information Studies 14 (1/2): 13–19.
Song, I. S., A. H. Buba, and U. M. Song. 2018. “Awareness and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) by Undergraduate Students in the Federal University Libraries in Northern Nigeria.” The Information Technologist: An International Journal of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 15 (2): 75–86.
Taylor, R. S. 1962. “The Process of Asking Questions.” American Documentation 13 (4): 391–396. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.5090130405. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.5090130405
Tella, A., S. Oyeniran, and E. S. Ibironke. 2021. “Determinants of Web Search Effectiveness from the Perspective of Library and Information Science Students.” International Journal of Library and Information Services (IJLIS) 10 (2): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJLIS.20210701.oa13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJLIS.20210701.oa13
Tlakula, T. P., and M. Fombad. 2017. “The Use of Electronic Resources by Undergraduate Students at the University of Venda South Africa.” The Electronic Library 35 (5): 861–881. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-06-2016-0140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-06-2016-0140
Tyckoson, D. A. 2015. “Question-negotiation and Information Seeking in Libraries: A Timeless Topic in a Timeless Article.” College and Research Libraries 76 (3): 247–250. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.76.3.247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.76.3.247
University of Venda. 2019. Annual Report. Accessed August 14, 2021. https://www.univen.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Univen_2019_Annual_Report.pdf.
Vijayakumar, S., and S. Manasa. 2018. “Attitude of OPAC Users at Regional Institute of Education, Mysuru: A Survey.” Journal of Library and Information Science 8 (2): 71–98.
Wakeling, S., P. Clough, and B. Sen. 2014. “Investigating the Potential Impact of Non-personalized Recommendations in the OPAC: Amazon vs. WorldCat. org.” In Proceedings of the 5th Information Interaction in Context Symposium, 96–105 https://doi.org/10.1145/2637002.2637015. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/2637002.2637015
Warwick, C., J. Rimmer, A. Blandford, J. Gow, and G. Buchanan. 2009. “Cognitive Economy and Satisficing in Information Seeking: A Longitudinal Study of Undergraduate Information Behavior.” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 60 (12): 2402–2415. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.21179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.21179
Wells, D. 2020. “Online Public Access Catalogue and Library Discovery Systems. In Encyclopedia of Knowledge Organization, edited by B. Hjᴓrland and C. Gnoli. Accessed April 20, 2021. https://www.isko.org/cyclo/opac#top.
Williams, M. L. 2020. “The Adoption of Web 2.0 Technologies in Academic Libraries: A Comparative Exploration.” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 52 (1): 137–149. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000618788725. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000618788725
Wu, D., S. Liang, and R. Bi. 2018. “Characterizing Queries in Cross-device OPAC Search: A Large-scale Log Study.” Library Hi Tech 36 (3): 482–497. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-06-2017-0130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-06-2017-0130
Yesmin, S., and S. M. Z. Ahmed. 2016. “Preference of Bangladesh University Students for Searching the Library Catalogue: OPAC or Discovery Tool?” The Electronic Library 34 (4): 683–695. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2015-0139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2015-0139
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Accepted 2023-08-15
Published 2023-10-23
