Purpose -The purpose of this study is to examine different aspects of information seeking behaviour, and specifically the information seeking behaviour and information needs of Indian astronomy/astrophysics academics, including the relationship between various variables such as academic, rank-wise statuses, age-wise of characteristics, and methods for keeping their knowledge up-to-date. Design/methodology/approach -A stratified random sample survey was used for gathering data. However, to support and authenticate the data quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. The questionnaire was mailed and was also available online. Some 400 academics from 12 astronomy and astrophysics information centres and libraries were surveyed using the questionnaire and were interviewed. The questionnaire response rate was 72 percent (288/400). Findings -The study findings show: differences in information seeking behaviour and needs for various academic is sub-fields of Indian astronomy/astrophysics, and highlights the value of information seeking behaviour to scientists working in astronomy/astrophysics. The study concludes that astronomy/astrophysics academics were making use of Astrophysics Data System followed by their use of e-archives for education and research. Astronomy/astrophysics academics work in a unique setting with specialized needs. The study findings underscored the need to continue accessing specialized needs to find innovative solutions. There are challenges and opportunities for exciting new initiatives. Originality/value -This is the first in-depth study in India exploring the information seeking behaviour and information needs of astronomy/astrophysics academics. It also gives the latest account of information seeking behaviour of information users in astronomy/astrophysics discipline. The study is also expected to guide other information service organisations to cope with their users' needs, by adopting survey methods, tools, protocols used in this study.
IntroductionInformation behaviour involves people using various resources for information various forms, formats for information seeking, information foraging, sense making, information use and information organising. Spink and Cole (2004) state that information behaviour is a broad term covering information seeking, information foraging, sense making, information use, and information organisation. This paper reports the results from a study focusing on the information seeking behaviours of Indian astronomy and astrophysics scientists. Academics are independent individuals and human beings, who use tools and techniques, especially information technology, during their information seeking behaviour. The organisation and management of such information systems requires up to date knowledge of users' information seeking behaviour, which is only achievable by studying this area. Understanding the information needs and information seeking behaviour of academic science scholars is challenging. This task becomes more complicated when we consider that scientist...
Molecular characterization of the genotypes gives precise information about the extent of genetic diversity which helps in the development of an appropriate breeding program. A total of 16 microsatellite (SSR) markers distributed across the rice genome were used for molecular characterization and discrimination of 100 local landraces of rice. The molecular data revealed a total of 24 alleles in 100 rice accessions, The number of alleles per locus generated by each marker ranged from 1 to 5 alleles with the mean of 1.5 alleles per locus and an average polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.387. This suggests that these markers could be potentially used for molecular characterization of rice accession from various sources. Microsatellite markers (SSR) are also used to detect the genetic similarity of accessions of rice under study. The genetic similarity coefficient ranged from 0.76-1.00 as revealed by UPGMA cluster analysis using the 16 SSR markers. A total of four distinct groups resulted at a cut-off similarity coefficient of 0.83 among the 100 rice accessions. Allelic variability among the SSR markers was high enough to categorize landraces and to catalogue the genetic variability observed for future use. The information about the genetic diversity will be very useful for proper identification and selection of appropriate parents for breeding programs, including gene mapping, and ultimately for emphasizing the importance of marker-assisted selection (MAS) in rice improvement.
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