Chapter 2: Libraries and the Technology for Information Searching Services
2.8 Chapter Summary and Research Gap
This chapter examined the basic concepts and definitions of digital libraries, including a scrutiny of digital libraries in the university context and factors influencing students’ decisions to use digital libraries. Subsequently, an examination of Google Scholar and its popularity was provided, followed by an introduction to student information seeking/searching behaviour. With the intent of building a conceptual framework for the study (please see Chapter 4 for details), theories related to information seeking/searching and technology acceptance and adoption were examined in detail. Finally, previous research on students’ usage of digital knowledge resources was scrutinised including information seeking behaviour and technology adoption. Research examined in connection with information seeking behaviour included student use of e-libraries and web search engines, as well as international postgraduate students’ use of the university e-library. Technology adoption literature scrutinised pertained to adoption and use of electronic library resources, use/extension of the UTAUT/UTAUT2 models, and studies examining Google Scholar as a technology for adoption.
It was evident that student use of e-libraries and web search engines has been the matter of research scrutiny (e.g., Aba et al., 2015; Hirsh, 2014; Islam & Habiba, 2015; Kumah, 2015; Kwadzo, 2015;
Mostafa, 2013; Natarajan, 2017; Ozonuwe et al., 2018; Perrusso, 2016; Salehi et al., 2018; Shuling, 2007; Sohail & Ahmad, 2017; Sohail et al., 2019; Turan & Bayram, 2013). These studies, however, serve to highlight that the digital library is often not the first choice of students and instead they prefer internet search engines over their libraries.
In the context of international postgraduate students, it can be seen that environmental, linguistic- cultural, and affective dimensions influence their usage of the university e-library. For instance, they could be unaware of the library and its associated processes and technologies. Moreover, they may not be very familiar with online resources and may use fundamental or non-critical approaches while searching for information. From the linguistic-cultural perspective, international students could be constrained by divergent linguistic and cultural practices, variant communication styles, nonverbal behaviour as well as different learning approaches (Lange et al., 2015; Michalak &
Rysavy, 2018). The final dimension, affective, encompasses the emotional aspects which may result from difficulties in accessing the library (Noori et al., 2017).
106 Further, several studies use/extend Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour and it can be seen that the information seeking context influences the information seeking behaviour of individuals. From the perspective of technology adoption, it was evident that different models of technology acceptance (TAM, UTAUT, and UTAUT2) have been utilised to investigate the factors that resulted in the usage of electronic library resources and other technology systems. However, it was seen that except in a few cases, comparisons of perceptions between groups of users (e.g., Al-Qeisi, 2009; Liao et al., 2007; Orji et al., 2010) and different technology systems (Yan et al., 2013) were not undertaken. Further, investigations of Google Scholar as a technology system which could be adopted and used were rare (e.g., Cothran, 2011; Wu & Chen, 2014) and the TAM seemed to be the model of choice when these were undertaken (Cothran, 2011).
Overall, it is apparent that there is extensive literature providing a review of the factual data related to the use of digital libraries and their users. Researchers have placed emphasis on the factors influencing students’ decision to utilise libraries. However, while most of these investigations have utilised a theoretical lens to explain these factors or their impact on each other, these investigations do not compare the intention to use a digital library with any other technology system such as Google Scholar. Many studies have investigated the use of Google Scholar and acknowledge; that it is predominantly the first recourse for students seeking information. Nevertheless, again there is limited scrutiny in terms of which factors precisely influence its popularity and usage. Again, while there is considerable theoretical (e.g., Bates, 1989; Belkin et al., 1993; Ellis, 1989; Kuhklthau, 1991; Wilson, 1981; Marchionini, 1995; etc.) and empirical attention (Jamali & Asadi, 2010;
Khosrowjerdi & Iranshahi, 2011; Orlu, 2016; Sabar & Xie, 2016; Sheeja, 2010) regarding information seeking behaviour in general. And of students, there seems to be a lack of research related to the association between such behaviour and the information providing technologies such as UDLs and Google Scholar in the context of the present study.
Moreover, the review of literature revealed the lack of scrutiny related to the usage of UDLs and Google Scholar as technology systems. Further, a comparison of the factors driving usage of these two technologies could not be identified although earlier studies have compared the perceptions of two groups of users with regard to the same technology system. Consequently, this study intends to provide insight into the key factors that influence international postgraduate students’
acceptance and usage of University Digital Libraries (UDL) and Google Scholar by developing
107 and evaluating a conceptual model based on the UTAUT model. Further, the information seeking behaviour of international postgraduate students, which may influence their inclination to adopt one technology system over another, will also be investigated by extending Wilson’s Model of Information Seeking Behaviour.
108