Preference of Information Characteristics among Ophthalmologists in India: A Study

R. Govindarajan; S. Dhanavandan

doi:10.51983/ajist-2018.8.3.201

Authors

R. Govindarajan Librarian, Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
S. Dhanavandan Deputy Librarian & Head, Central Library, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2018.8.3.201

Keywords:

Information Characteristics, Ophthalmologists, Good Information, Information Preferences, Information Seeking Behavior

Abstract

Ophthalmologists – Eye doctors choose information by checking several characteristics of the information to satisfy their information need. The purpose of this study is to determine the key characteristics of information preferred by the ophthalmologists.The study design is cross-sectional and convenience sampling method is adopted. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS 18 PASW Statistical package was used for statistical analysis. Frequencies, percentages, Mann Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test were used in the study.Around 633 ophthalmologists working in 47 academic eye hospitals from 16 states of India were included in the study. The study results revealed that the majority of the ophthalmologists prefer well known reliable information. The statistical test results showed up that the information characteristics preferences of ophthalmologists differ by designation and experience. The ophthalmic librarians should develop quality norms for building the resource collection and adhere to it. The information service providers like online databases, websites, discussion forums, etc. should ensure to deliver reliable information services.

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