Awareness, Acceptance, and Utilization of Benguet State University
Open Access Digital Repository
Lauren P . Kipaan
Benguet State University
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Background of the study
E-resources are the toast of the time for their role in speedier access and retrieval of information (Bhatt, 2010). The emerging technologies have also revolutionized the information seeking behavior of users (Chee, 2013). They too are redefining the role of traditional libraries, giving rise to digital libraries or repositories. Digital repositories vary in their collections and in their complexity (Lester & Koehler,2007). They are computer based systems for management and distributing materials for easy access. Likewise, the digital library holdings can be accessed over the Global Computer Network (Bainbridge & Nichols, 2010). This is the reason why the presence of digital repositories is very imminent worldwide with the main purpose of providing access to information (Vaidyanathan, Sabbaghi, & Bargellini 2005). Digital repositories emerge mostly in institutions and they are globally accepted as means to publish knowledge. In the IFLA/UNESCO manifesto for Digital libraries (2010), Digital library initiatives are to help solve the problem of digital divide. That is, digital services open up new channels to a universe of knowledge and information, connecting cultures across geographical and social boundaries. In essence, for digital libraries, the collection must be recognized according to accepted principles and standards (IFLA, 2010).
To achieve this, the gap or the digital divide must be bridged. It is now through the use of open source applications, and open access publishing which brings great benefits to the academic world (McCulloch, 2006). Thus, it is indeed true that digital repositories are systems to manage information while open access concept is a part of complicated publishing models. And it seems that open access publishing is a natural way for university research to be distributed for the greater good (Saarilouma, 2006). More so if the monies paid to researchers come from public funds. The importance of open accessed is heightened by the report of the Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR, 2013). Accordingly, there are 2473 recorded digital repositories worldwide. Many of these repositories are maintained by institutions of higher learning. These in a way improve the visibility of universities (Olsbo, 2013).
On a global note, Europe dominates the presence of digital repositories since the European Commission promotes open access among its country members. It identifies open access as a core means to improve knowledge circulation (European Commission, 2013). North America has the same view as the European Union (EU) and in other parts of the world.
Purpose of the Study
Nationally, the Philippines has fourteen (14) digital repositories but only four (4) are registered with DOAR. This is to say, that the concept of open access digital repositories is starting to be accepted by the Filipinos. But just how acceptable it is remains to be seen.
The limited study on this topic is the very reason why this study was undertaken. Aside from this, is the fact that assessment of usability of digital libraries or repositories has no universal model and depends primarily with respect to target users, applications, and contexts (Chowdhury, 2006). Thus this study aims to know the level of knowledge of awareness, acceptance, and utilization of the open access digital repository (OADR) by the users of Benguet State University (BSU).
Methodology
A descriptive-survey method was used in the study. Respondents of the study included faculty members, non-teaching employees except those from the general services department, and students from all the colleges and departments enrolled during the second semester of school year 2013-2014. Number of respondents was derived using the Slovin’s formula. The data gathering tool used in the research was a semi-structured survey questionnaire which was tested for reliability and validity.
Gathered data were tabulated and illustrated in a series of tables with the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics tackled frequency, weighted mean, percentage and ranking. Inferential statistics utilized was Pearson’s r. The data gathered were analyzed using the frequency, and weighted mean to evaluate the level of awareness, acceptance and utilization of digital open access digital library of BSU. F-test was used to interpret the difference in the level of knowledge along Awareness, Acceptance, and Utilization. It made use of the four level Likert Scale, frequency counts and weighted mean. Computed mean rating interpreted the respondent’s level of Awareness, Acceptance, and Utilization.
Results and Discussion
It presents the discussions on the Awareness, Acceptance along Ease of Use and Usefulness, and Utilization of the Open Access Digital Repository of Benguet State University.
Level of Knowledge of Respondents on the OADR of BSU in Terms of Awareness
Table 2 presents the level of awareness of the respondents of the OADR services of BSU. The Table shows that the respondents are “not aware” of the university’s OADR services. This result drives home a sad library scenario indicating that the library is lacking in the promotion and marketing of this service. This finding points out an important gap that a well-planned information literacy program can fill.
Table 2 – Level of Knowledge of Respondents on OADL of BSU Along Awareness
Awareness / Overall (n-960)AWM / DER
1. OADL is posted through bsulis.wordpress.com and bengsulibrary.twitter.com / 2.11 / NA
2. OADL has link at the university website / 2.41 / NA
3. OADL is posted through yahoo group / 1.63 / VMNA
4. OADL is publicized in the university Newsletters (School organs) / 2.20 / NA
5. OADL is included in the library orientation & brochure / 2.44 / NA
6. OADL is revealed through verbal referrals by librarians / 2.04 / NA
7. OADL is searchable in search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc) / 2.37 / NA
8. OADL is posted through library Facebook page / 2.22 / NA
9. OADL is posted in bulletin boards (college displays & LED signages) / 2.59 / A
10. OADL is publicized through print advisory and word of mouth / 2.21 / NA
Mean / 2.22 / NA
Legend:
AWM- Average Weighted Mean
DER- Descriptive Equivalent Rating
Numerical Equivalent Mean interval Description
1 1.00 – 1.74 VMNA- Very Much Not Aware
2 1.75- 2.49 NA- Not Aware
3 2.50-3.24 A- Aware
4 3.25-4.00 VMA- Very Much Aware
The finding though is not something unusual. it is also very similar to the studies made in New Zealand and in Uganda. Accordingly, the graduate students in four universities in New Zealand have low awareness of the existence of institutional repositories (Stanton & Liew, 2012).
Level of Knowledge of Respondents on BSU OADR in Terms of Acceptance
Acceptance in its basic definition is a favorable approval or act of taking what is offered (World Book, 2010). It is the act of asserting to something influenced by ease of use and usefulness. The respondents’ acceptance is presented in tables 3a and 3b respectively.
Ease of Use
Table 3a is a picture of the acceptance of the respondents. The over-all mean of 3.21 is indicative of the openness of the respondents to the BSU-OADR. Indeed, the mean is bordering on “Very much acceptable” level.
Table 3a – Level of Acceptance of Respondents on OADR of BSU Along Ease of Use
Ease of Use / Overall (n-960)AWM / DER
1. The Open Access Digital Library (OADL) search function is user friendly. / 3.23 / A
2. Terminology used is common to users and Instructions are easy to follow. / 3.25 / VMA
3. Design and Display of OADL is enticing and used understandable graphics / 3.18 / A
4. OADL has comfortable browsing features (user-friendly icons or buttons) / 3.24 / A
5. OADL content is downloadable / 3.26 / VMA
6. OADL displays evaluative content (abstracts, summaries, etc) / 3.23 / A
7. OADL has visible link within the university computer laboratories and offices / 2.97 / A
8. OADL is accessible 24/7 (non-stop) / 3.19 / A
9. Display pages provide referral or links to more detailed information / 3.22 / A
10. The OADL has available library support and help page to users / 3.30 / VMA
Mean / 3.21 / A
AWM- Average Weighted Mean
DER- Descriptive Equivalent Rating
Numerical Equivalent Mean Interval Description
1 1.00 – 1.74 VMNA- Very Much Not Acceptable
2 1.75- 2.49 NA- Not Acceptable
3 2.50-3.24 A- Acceptable
4 3.25-4.00 VMA- Very Much Acceptable
Usefulness
The other aspect of acceptance as per the TAM model is usefulness. This is the extent to which a person believes that using the system will enhance his/her job performance.
The Table 3b shows a positive rating by the respondents on the BSU OADR in terms of usefulness. The overall mean of 3.05 interpreted as “acceptable” implies that the respondents are convinced that the BSU OADR could be useful to them.
Table 3b – Level of Acceptance of Respondents on OADL of BSU Along Usefulness
Usefulness / Overall (n-960)AWM / DER
11. Using the Open access Digital Library (OADL) enhance my research capability (search skill) / 3.01 / A
12. Using the OADL improve my academic capability ( school know-how) / 3.04 / A
13. Using the OADL increases my academic productivity (school or research output) / 3.03 / A
14. Using the OADL is a suitable tool to find institutional information (database) / 3.14 / A
15. Using the OADL introduces me to institutional research references / 3.25 / VMA
16. Using the OADL relates well in my study/research / 3.03 / A
17. Using the OADL enables me to get information to reliable sources / 3.10 / A
18. Using the OADL assures me that information is carefully evaluated / 3.10 / A
19. Using the OADL saves my time / 2.92 / A
20. Using the OADL is sufficient to address the university research needs / 2.84 / A
Mean / 3.05 / A
Level of Knowledge of Respondents on the BSU OADR Along Utilization
Table 4 shows the level of knowledge of respondents on BSU OADR along utilization. It shows that the respondents never utilized the OADR of BSU. There are many implications of this result. For one, the library introduced this service without a pre-survey among the respondents. The respondents do not have any idea of such service, hence their failure to use it.
Table 4 – Level of Knowledge of Respondents on OADR of BSU Along Utilization
Utilization / Overall (n-960)AWM / DER
1. I utilize the Open Access Digital Library (OADL) using my own internet connection at home / 1.31 / NU
2. I utilize the OADL using the internet connection of my friend/s or relatives outside the university / 1.22 / NU
3. I utilize the OADL using the computer in my classrooms/edtech rooms / 1.38 / NU
4. I utilize the OADL using the wifi spots outside the university campus / 1.22 / NU
5. I utilize the OADL using the wifi spots inside the university campus / 1.24 / NU
6. I utilize the OADL in the internet cafes’ / 1.26 / NU
7. I utilize the OADL using my mobile device/s (tablet, iphone, phablet, etc) / 1.23 / NU
8. I utilize the OADL within the main library’s internet workstations / 1.52 / NU
9. I utilize the OADL within the unit/college library’s internet workstations / 1.37 / NU
10. I utilize the OADL using the university ICT computer laboratories/ office computers / 1.37 / NU
Mean / 1.31 / NU
AWM- Average Weighted Mean
DER- Descriptive Equivalent Rating
Numerical Equivalent Mean Interval Description
1 1.00 – 1.74 NU- Never Utilized
2 1.75- 2.49 SU- Seldom Utilized
3 2.50-3.24 MU- Moderately Utilized
4 3.25-4.00 VU- Very Utilized
The overall result is similar to the study of Okello-Obura & Magara (2008) that few of the Library and Information Science students at Makerere University in Uganda access the library’s e-resources. The low access to electronic resources is due to poor information literacy and poor internet connections. In another study, it indicates that end-users in university settings in developing countries accept and use electronic library services. However, the usage of the digital library services is only at nine percent (9%) due to several factors which include among others the lack of awareness of the services or literacy programs and the facilitating conditions to use them (Tibenderana et al., 2010).
Finally, the result mirrors the reality that in the developing countries, the problem on utilization of web resources is attributed to many factors such as, lack of gadgets to use, connectivity issues, and economic stability of individuals.
Difference on the Level of Knowledge of Respondents on
BSU OADR in Terms of Awareness
All three groups of respondents are “not aware” of the BSU OADR resulting to not significant in differences. This is to say that librarians need to exert more effort to suggest and market the existence of the BSU-OADR services.
Table 5. Difference on the Level of Knowledge of Respondents on the OADR Services Along Awareness
Items / Students / Non-teaching / FacultyN=891 / N=36 / N=33
AWM / DER / AWM / DER / AWM / DER
1. OADL is posted through bsulis.wordpress.com and bengsulibrary.twitter.com / 2.27 / NA / 2.06 / NA / 2.00 / NA
2. OADL has link at the university website / 2.54 / A / 2.17 / NA / 2.52 / A
3. OADL is posted through ULIS yahoo group / 2.07 / NA / 1.83 / NA / 1.00 / VMNA
4. OADL is publicized in the university Newsletters (Shamag, Mt. Collegian, etc) / 2.33 / NA / 2.08 / NA / 2.21 / NA
5. OADL is included in the library orientation & brochure / 2.64 / A / 2.06 / NA / 2.64 / A
6. OADL is revealed through verbal referrals by librarians / 1.82 / NA / 2.06 / NA / 2.24 / NA
7. OADL is searchable in search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc) / 2.49 / NA / 2.22 / NA / 2.42 / NA
8. OADL is posted through library Facebook page / 2.28 / NA / 2.11 / NA / 2.27 / NA
9. OADL is posted in bulletin boards (college displays, electronic signage’s, etc.) / 2.60 / A / 2.50 / A / 2.67 / A
10. OADL is publicized through print advisory and word of mouth / 1.93 / NA / 2.28 / NA / 2.42 / NA
Mean / 2.30a / NA / 2.14a / NA / 2.24a / NA
Fc- 0.57; Ftab=3.35; p-value= 0.570 / Interpretation=Not significant; Decision= Reject Ho
Note: same letter in superscript are not significantly different with other at 0.05 level of significance
Difference on the Level of Knowledge on the BSU OADL in Terms Acceptance