Use of electronic resources in research and learning in a health sciences library in Ghana: An analysis of awareness and perception of users

Abstract

University libraries play a critical role by facilitating the use of their electronic resources and facilities available for students’ learning and research activities. Health and medical students and professionals are expected to use the electronic resources provided for their academic and research work. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the acceptance and utilization of electronic resources in research and learning among users of the College of Health Sciences Library of the University of Ghana. The study employed a survey research design along with a quantitative approach to collect data from 128 respondents. A questionnaire was used for data collection, and it was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 (SPSS) software. The study found that a majority of the respondents were aware of the electronic resources provided by the library, and they used various types of e-resources such as Google, Wikipedia, ScienceDirect and PubMed electronic sources. Moreover, the study found that the computer literacy skills of users have a positive relationship with the awareness of e-resources. Furthermore, there is no significant relationship between gender and the perceived usefulness of the use of e-resources. Last but not the least, the high cost of personal internet data and low internet bandwidth were challenges encountered by most of the respondents when accessing e-resources. The study made the following recommendations, among others, regular training on the use of e-resources, and libraries must collaborate effectively with lecturers to create awareness in the lecture hall and also some of the e-resources should be part of teaching instruction.

Association of digital health literacy and information-seeking behaviors among physicians during COVID-19 in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

“… 53 Especially in healthcare settings where a physician provides patient care or helps to oversee hospital administration. 8 , 54 In addition, seeking health information supports making evidence-based decisions in health facilities. 34 , 55 However, the source of information may interact with it manually or with computer-based systems such as the Internet.…”

“… 7 The scholars defines; the health information-seeking behaviors are the understanding of how and why individuals reside in health. 8 – 10 However, disinformation and misinformation about preventive, diagnostic, and curative measures have spread through the internet, social media, and other digital sources in the era of COVID-19 pandemics. 1 , 11 The main concerns are about the users’ ability to access, understand, and apply information to make informed decisions about health.…”