Information Seeking Behavior of Marine Scientists in Bharathidasan University: A Case Study

Abstract

The study analyses the requirements for different types of information in an environment where the need for internal and external resources are in intertwined. It was found that, although there were differences in the features of the information seeking patterns of the Marine Science faculty members and Research Scholars, the behavioural characteristic were similar; and the study identified identical or very similar categories of information seeking behaviour to those of academic researchers. The results were then compared to certain minor variations concerned with awareness levels of facilities, the extent of usage of a source and the research stage at which a strategy may be employed were identified. Nonetheless, fundamental differences in information seeking behaviour could not be determined. Finally, the extent to which developments in electronic communication have had any impact on the information or communication patterns of the Marine Science faculty members and research scholars is considered. The analysis of the data thus collected, covers the use of the library collection, library catalogue, library service facilities, etc. and the information needs of the users of the library.