Utilization Pattern of Electronic Resources among Postgraduate Students of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study examined the utilisation of electronic resources among postgraduate and doctoral students at Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur. The study population comprised 272 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students, from whom 108 respondents were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire and interview schedule and analysed using frequencies, percentages, weighted mean scores, ranks, and correlation coefficients. Most respondents (73.15%) had a medium level of e-resource utilisation, while 15.74% had low utilisation and 11.11% had high utilisation. The purpose of using e-resources ranked first among the assessed dimensions, followed by the mode used for knowledge gathering, the reading format, the preferred information source, the preference for specific e-resources, and the form used for reading. Online access was preferred to offline access, and PDF was the most preferred reading format. Krishikosh, the IARI e-Library, e-magazines, agMOOC, and Krishiworld were among the most preferred resources. Family annual income, academic performance, availability of ICT tools, and accessibility of e-resources were positively and significantly associated with utilisation at the 0.01 level. Family background, awareness of e-resources, and training were positively and significantly associated at the 0.05 level. The findings indicate that access to ICT facilities, awareness initiatives, and practical training may strengthen the effective use of e-resources among postgraduate students.