Original Research
Electronic library resource use by postgraduate students at a university of technology in South Africa
Submitted: 22 August 2022 | Published: 16 May 2023
About the author(s)
Makhanani C. Mashaba, Department of Informatics, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South AfricaAgnieta B. Pretorius, Department of Informatics, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
Abstract
Background: A university of technology in South Africa provides different kinds of e-library resources to its users. Not much is known about the use of these e-library resources by postgraduate students. The existing literature focuses mostly on using e-library resources by all university students and do not specifically emphasise postgraduate students. Therefore, there is a need for a study to investigate the use of e-library resources by postgraduate students.
Objective: The study aimed to investigate the use patterns and the factors influencing the use of e-library resources by postgraduate students of a university of technology in South Africa.
Method: The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model was used to conceptualise the study. A quantitative approach was used with a descriptive survey research method. Questionnaires were designed and distributed through email using survey monkey.
Results: Facilitating conditions (FCs) directly influence postgraduate students’ intention to use e-library resources and age moderates the influence of facilitating conditions on e-library resource use. Mediated by behavioural intention (BI), e-library resource use is influenced by performance expectancy (PE), by effort expectancy (EE) and by social influence (SI).
Conclusion: The UTAUT model was used to determine the use patterns and the factors influencing the use of e-library resources by postgraduate students of a university of technology in South Africa.
Contribution: The literature has underemphasised the need to investigate the influence of postgraduate students in South African universities using e-library resources. Therefore, the study results are expected to fill that gap.
Keywords
JEL Codes
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
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Crossref Citations
1. Use of E-Library Services by Postgraduate Students at Mzuzu University
Hamis Lack Abdullah, Winner Dominic Chawinga, George Theodore Chipeta
New Review of Academic Librarianship first page: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.1080/13614533.2023.2268581