Utilization of Research Databases subscribed by the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Ali Amjad1,*, Khan Rais Ahmad2, Azim Mohmmad2, Iqbal Jafar2 1Deputy Librarian, Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 2Semi Professional Assistant, Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh *Corresponding Author: Amjad Ali, amjadalig@yahoo.com
Online published on 16 May, 2017. Abstract This paper aims at evaluating the usage of major research databases by researchers subscribed by the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. The study is based on survey method to know the frequency of using the online databases, users’ opinion about the subscribed databases on satisfaction of their needs, importance of the subscribed databases in research work, continuation of subscribed databases and various difficulties being faced by researchers while accessing the online data bases. Investigators have administered a total of 150 questionnaires among researchers, out of which 100 were completed and returned back showing an overall response rate of 66.67%. The result of the study reveals that 42% of researchers use subscribed online databases weekly followed by daily (40%), however, the major proportion of respondents (43%) strongly agree that the online databases subscribed by Maulana Azad Library fulfilled their needs and library should subscribe some more databases. Overall, 95% of researchers need some more databases other than the subscribed databases for their research work. Almost 99% researchers think that the library should continue the subscription of the four databases i.e. EBSCOHOST: Academic Search Complete, India Stat, Pro Quest: Theses & Dissertations and Scopus. Lack of searching skills is reported as a main problem by 60% researchers in accessing and using online databases. In the end, the study has given some suggestions for maximum use of online databases subscribed in Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Top Key Terms Online Databases, Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University, Research Database. Top |