Utilisation of online databases by students at Saint John of God College of Health Sciences in Malawi

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the utilisation of online databases by students at Saint John of God College of Health Sciences in Malawi. Specifically, the study aimed at establishing the level of students’ awareness of online databases; establishing students’ competencies in the use of online databases; investigating the benefits students accrue from using online databases and determining factors influencing the use of online databases. The study was underpinned by the pragmatic research paradigm and was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. The researcher determined the sample size by employing census method to select all the 188 students to participate in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the assistant librarian. The researcher collected quantitative data from the students using questionnaires, and an interview guide collected qualitative data from the assistant librarian. Before data collection, the instruments were pretested and refined. The quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study findings show that the majority 178 (98.3%) of the students were aware of online databases available at the college. Specifically, 166 (91.7%) were aware of HINARI; 3 (2%) Taylor and Francis; 64 (35.4%) PubMed; 6 (3.3%) BioOne; 20 (11.0%) Cambridge University Press; 32 (17.7%) Oxford Reference Online; 4 (2.2%) EBSCOHost; 22 (12.2%) Sage; 7 (3.9%) Wiley; 52 (29.3%) African Journals Online (AJOL); 13 (7.2%) Google Scholar, and one (0.6%) Mayo Clinic. Results further revealed that 111 (61.3%) students acknowledged that online information literacy skills are relevant for one to successfully use online. Online information literacy skills include locating, retrieving, organising, evaluating, and using information accordingly. Results further show that 91 (50.3%) students ranked their level of competency in using online databases as average. Findings further reveal that between 65 (35.9%) and 152 (83.9%) students reported to get the following major benefits from using online databases: convenience, save time, easier access to information, search within articles, remote access, full text article access, 24 hours’ access and save space. The study also established the following key factors that encouraged students to use online databases: 169 (93.4%) students reported usefulness in their studies; 165 (91.2%) students indicated quick tasks accomplishment like assignments while 157 (86.7%) reported influence v by library staff. On the other hand, the study also established that between 41 (22.6%) and 129 (71.2%) students are discouraged from using online databases by the following factors: slow internet connection, lack of awareness of online databases, lack of skills, complicated passwords, information overload, lack of motivation from lecturers, and limited subscription and electricity blackouts. The study has revealed that performance expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions variables of the UTAUT model provide a useful framework to the study. Finally, the study recommended library staff to be crafting promotional and marketing strategies of online databases; collaboration of management, ICT and Library team should improve ICT infrastructure, the college management should consider providing other solutions aimed at mitigating power supply issues. and the library staff should intensify user training programmes on online databases.