Usage of Information Searching Mechanism among Ophthalmologists: A Study in India

Abstract

The main goal of the information retrieval systems is to present only the relevant and useful information to the user. The information retrieval systems articulate proper searching mechanism through indexing and abstracting to attain this goal. This study aims to study the search mechanisms usage habits among the Ophthalmologists – Eye Doctors. A survey method is used to obtain the opinion from ophthalmologists’ on their usage of search mechanisms. 633 ophthalmologists working in 47 academic eye hospitals from 16 states of India were included in the study. This particular study is a part of the main study “Information Needs and Seeking Behaviour of Ophthalmologists in Academic Eye Hospitals in India”. The multi response question about the search mechanisms usage among ophthalmologists was analysed by finding out the popular search mechanism and then identifying the pattern of the search mechanism usage. The statistical relationship between the search mechanism usage and ophthalmologists & institution characteristics were examined with the help of t-test and ANOVA. The study results reveals that “By Title” was the most popular searching mechanism among ophthalmologists. It was used by 77.4% of the ophthalmologists. Majority of the ophthalmologists use more than one search mechanism which is about 82.15% and 17.85% of the ophthalmologists use one search mechanism. The study results show up that searching mechanism usage differs with gender. This reveals the relationship between search mechanism usages among ophthalmologists which will help to the library and information providers to improve their indexing and abstracting services in right manner.