This book is designed to
provide an integrated overview of the field and the concept of user studies and
informetrics. Information seeking relates to how people interact with
information, how and when they seek information and what uses they make out of
it. While seeking information from paper and online resources, many problems
are encountered and skills are needed to succeed in the actions associated with
locating information either on print or in online resource. The libraries’
responsibility is to ensure that the use of its information sources, resources,
and services are maximized to benefit its users. User studies were perceived
with the purpose of designing an effective information system by understanding
user’s needs and information use. Informetrics is the well-practised measuring
technique of Information Science. It is operative mostly through the techniques
of statistical and mathematical calculus. Informetrics deals with all aspects
of information. Now the user studies are more distinguished by using more
sophisticated techniques (both sociological and technological) and focusing
more on system-oriented studies. The present epoch is the era of information
and knowledge revolution. Many electronic resources are available in the
library. The increase in information available on the web has also affected the
information-seeking behaviour of the users.
Informetrics covers all
aspects of quantitative analysis of information transfer, irrespective of the
media. It is operative mostly through the techniques of statistical and
mathematical calculus. Informetrics deals with all aspects of information. In
the era of the literature explosion, Informetrics is considered as a vital
commodity for the generation of human knowledge, and this commodity is a
transactive one. In addition to information handling, the information storing
and information transferring at National and International level, it integrates
and consolidates various mathematical and statistical measuring techniques to
highlight the importance of information, its productivity
Preface
Acknowledgements
Unit 1
Ascertain the user of a library/information system/service;
Understand the purposes/goals of user studies
Importance of user studies
Need for conducting user studies
Major user studies conducted in India
Unit 2
Sprouting theory of user behaviour
Analysing the factors influencing the user behaviour
Limitations in behavioural research
Aim and objectives of User needs and user education
Planning of user education
Problems of user studies and user education.
Unit 3
Growth and development of the concept of informetrics
Understand the term Iibrametrics, Biometrics and Scientometrics
Evolution of Classic Informetric Laws
Implications of Informetric Laws
Understood New trends in Informetrics
Unit 4
To understand the Quantitative and Qualitative techniques
To classify the Cluster analysis, Correspondence analysis &
Coward analysis
To study the impact of media and audience analysis
To know about SPSS.11.0 version
Unit 5
To understand the Citation Analysis
To know the different forms of citations
Citation counts & Self –citation
Application of Quantitative and Qualitative techniques
in LIS Research
To explore parametric and non-parametric tools.
P.
Balasubramanian is
presently working as University Librarian and Head, in Manonmaniam Sundaranar
University, Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu). His qualifications are M.C.A., M.B.A.,
M.A. (Eng.), M.A., (His)., M.L.I.Sc., M.Phil., PGDPR and Ph.D., He is a life
member of various Professional Associations. He has contributed 75 books (Tamil
and English) around 164 papers in seminars, conferences and refereed journals.
He has organized many national and international seminars and workshops in
various emerging topics of Library and Information Science. He has produced 9
M.Phil., and 29 Ph.D. scholars and is presently guiding 8 Ph.D. scholars. He
has been teaching Library and Information Science for the past 21 years. He has
attended many conferences in India and abroad and has presented papers there.
P.Viji is presently working as a Librarian at Ambai Arts College,
Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli. She has done
M.B.A, M.L.I.Sc,(NET) and is currently doing Ph.D from Manonmaniam Sundaranar
University, Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu). She is a member of various professional
associations. She has contributed six
papers in seminars and conferences, two papers have been published in
international refereed journals and four in UGC index journals.
E.
Santhana Kumar has completed his B.Sc Degree
(Computer Science) and has obtained his M.L.I.Sc. Degree from Alagappa
University, Karaikudi. He is currently doing
research in the discipline of Library
and Information Science. He has contributed four papers in seminars and
conferences and seven in various national and international refereed
journals.
