Use of Online Databases and Social Networking Sites by Geology Faculty Members in Kerala

Abstract

This study aims to examine the use of online databases and social networking sites (SNS) by geology faculty members in Kerala, India. It also seeks to identify the relationship between their research experience, the number of published papers, and their overall usage of these digital resources. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The study population comprises geology faculty members from academic geoscience departments in government and government-aided colleges, as well as state and central universities in Kerala. SPSS software was employed for both descriptive and analytical data analysis. The respondents in this study utilized an average of four databases: Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. They also had an average level of use of social networking sites such as WhatsApp, ResearchGate, YouTube, Slideshare, and Academia.edu. A very strong statistically significant relationship was found between research experience (in years) and the number of published papers (rho = 0.659, p < 0.01). Additionally, a moderate statistically significant relationship was observed between the overall use of online databases and the overall use of social networking sites (rho = 0.517, p < 0.01). Conversely, a moderate statistically significant negative relationship was observed between the overall use of social networking sites and the number of published papers (rho = -0.323, p < 0.05). The usage of various digital resources by faculty members is continually increasing. This study examines their use of online databases and social networking sites.