Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examined the information seeking behaviour of the researchers
attached to the Parliamentary Research Unit in Parliament. It looked at their use
of the Parliamentary Library, their use of the library and its resources, what other
avenues for information they use and what suggestions they have for improving
the service. A questionnaire was developed and e-rnailed to researchers. As the
response rate was poor, it limited the conclusions that could be drawn from the
research.
In line with other studies, it was found that electronic resources and the Internet
played a great role in how they sourced information. Researchers frequented the
Internet to find information more than they use the library and they have
difficulties with accessing online resources and the catalogue. The manual
circulation system was a source of frustration as well.
They made use of personal contacts to a certain extent to find unpublished
information and very recent information. These categories of information,
especially government information, are crucial to their work. Suggestions for
improvement centred on the online catalogue, instruction in the use of the online
resources, updating the collection of books and journals and consulting
researchers where necessary. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie ondersoek fokus op die inligtingsgedrag van die navorsers in die
Parlementêre Navorsingseenheid. Dit ondersoek hul gebruik van die
Parlementêre biblioteek en sy bronne, die alternatiewe inligtingskanale tot hul
beskikking en watter voorstelle hulle het vir die verbetering van dienste.
'n Vraelys is ontwerp en per e-pos aan navorsers gestuur. Swak terugvoering
het die proses om finale gevolgtrekkings te maak, beperk. In ooreenstemming
met ander studies, is wel gevind dat die Internet en elektroniese bronne 'n groot
rol speel in die proses om inligting te bekom. Daar is ook gevind dat navorsers
hierdie tipe bronne verkies bo traditionele biblioteekbesoeke. Opleiding om die
elektroniese bronne en die katalogus te gebruik is noodsaaklik.
Alternatiewe bronne van inligting soos persoonlike kontakte met ander kundiges
word tot 'n sekere mate gebruik om inligting te kry wat beide op datum en
ongepubliseer is. Voorstelle vir verbetering fokus op die elektroniese katalogus,
opleiding in die gebruik van elektroniese bronne, die kwaliteit en inhoud van die
versameling en konsultasie met die navorsers.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/50283 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Swartz, Barbara Dawn |
| Contributors | Van Der Walt, M., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 81 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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