Information Use by Instructors of the Management Science Faculties at Rajabhat Universities in the Northern Region

Abstract

The purposes of this survey research were to study (1) the status of information use and (2) problems encountered in obtaining and using information by the instructors of the Management Science Faculties at Rajabhat Universities in the Northern Region. The population consisted of 406 instructors of Management Science Faculties in the Northern Region. Questionnaires were used for collecting data. The research questionnaires were sent via post and 314 (77.34%) were returned. Frequencies, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyse data. The research found that (1) The instructors of the Management Science Faculties at Rajabhat Universities in the Northern Region mainly used information for the purpose of teaching. Management Science was the topic searched for at the moderate level and general administration was the main subtopic of interest. Meanwhile, General Science was also the topic searched for at moderate level and subtopics in the Social Sciences were the main interest. Online was the digital format mainly used and the Internet was the main source of information used. Information mainly used was 1-5 years old. Frequency of information use was at least 5 times per month.The library services mainly used were circulation services. Self-access was the main method used for database retrieval. The online database mainly used was the Thailand research database by using subject, title, author, and keyword. When they found the information needed print-out copies were generally made. (2) Among 5 categories of the problems the most significant problems was availability of sufficient and up to date resources, the library atmospheric environment, inefficient equipment and tools to access information, library opening hours and the service mind of the library staff.