Information Seeking Behavior of Legal Researchers
Towards Use of Electronic Legal Resource: A Study
Dr. Priya Rai
Deputy Librarian
National Law University Delhi
Priyanlud@gmail.com
Caliber2013-Library Vision 2020 Moving Towards the Future
Information Seeking Behavior: Reviews
Information seeking behaviour is a broad term, which
involves a set of actions that an individual takes to
express information needs, seek information, evaluate
and select information, and finally uses this information
to satisfy his/her information needs.
Majid and Kassim (2000)
•Access to Legal Information as an Essential Ingredients for Effective Justice in a
Democratic Society. McClelland(2009)
•Information-seeking Behaviour as an Individual's Way and Manner of Gathering and
Sourcing for Information for Personal Use, Knowledge Updating, and Development.
Kakai (2004)
Information Seeking for Construction of Multiple
Problems
Multitasking Habits of Legal Information Seekers:• Advocacy
•Drafting , Preparing Documents & other Legal Correspondence
•Counselling & Advising Clients on Various Legal Issues
•Class Room Teaching
•Moot Court Activities
Legal Information Seekers Need:
•Primary Sources of Law
•Secondary Sources of Law
•Tertiary Sources of Law
Changing Need of Legal Researchers: Electronic
Environment
Commercial Legal Databases
Public Domain Legal Resources
Hein Online
IndiaCode
Westlaw International
JUDIS
LexisNexis Academic
PRS Legislation India
JSTOR
LII of India
SCC Online
Indian Kanoon
AIR InfoTech
World Legal Information Institute
Manupatra
Social Science Research Network
CLA Online
FindLaw
Taxmann Online
Global Legal Information Network (GLIN)
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The present study has the following objectives:
To Find The Information Seeking Behavior of Users of Academic Law Libraries in
Digital Environment
To Identify The Problems Users of Academic Law Libraries Faces in Accessing
Legal Information
To Know The Benefits of Electronic Databases For Legal Research
To Find The Library Orientations Programs Facilitated For Users of Academic Law
Libraries
To Suggest Strategies to Improve Information Services by Academic Law Libraries.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Survey was conducted as a part of Doctoral Research to find the Information Seeking
Behavior of Legal Researcher of Academic Law Libraries In Delhi.
Survey Groups
Data Collection
Undergraduates
Postgraduates
Research Scholars
Faculty Members
:
Questionnaire Method
Circulated among 685 users
77.08 % Responses received
back (528)
Information Seeking Behavior of Legal Researchers
towards Use of Electronic Legal Resource: A Study
Types of Electronic Databases Used
Use of Computer Services for
Legal Research
Used
Not Used
Commercia
l Databses
25%
Both
46%
3%
Public
Domain
Legal
Resources
29%
97%
Problem Experiencing in Using Electronic Databases
400
300
200
100
0
Login Problem
Search Problem
Restricted Access
Slow Connection
Yes
174
233
278
273
Non-Availability of
Library Staff
148
No
354
295
250
255
380
Information Seeking Behavior of Legal Researchers
towards Use of Electronic Legal Resource: A Study
Benefits of Using Electronic Databases
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
500
400
300
200
Easy to
Access
Agree
418
Disagree
110
Support Full Text
Text
Availabili
Editing
ty
348
270
180
258
Access
Any
Time
371
Data
Portabili
ty
257
Time
Saving
157
271
230
298
Information Literacy Programmes for
Users of Law Library
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Column1
Dependence Factor in Accessing Electronic
Databases
100
0
Accessing by Self
Help of Intermediary
Others
468
56
4
Frequency
Reasons for Lacking of Library Orientation
Programme
200
150
100
50
0
Library Orientation Attended
Library Orientation not
Attended
166
362
Frequency
Frequency in Percentage
Non Consid Prefer Any
Aware ering
ence Other
ness
not
to
ncec… Print…
194
69
16
64
36.7
13.2
3
12.1
Not
Ticked
185
35
Findings and Suggestions
Users of the academic law libraries considered electronic databases as most useful sources of
information 96.6% users identify that the computer assisted legal research as the most preferred way
to fulfill the Information seeking need.
It is observed that the users often faces problems while access the information in digital libraries.
Librarians must adopt a proactive approach towards making the access process effective and less
restrictions in accessing. The study finds that 67.1% users face login problem whereas 71.97% users
of academic law libraries mentioned the lack in the library support services.
The study identified the benefits of full integration of ICTs in accessing information; majority
(79.6%) users agree that electronic databases support easy access of literature beyond the library
hours.
The study indicates that there is urgent need of library orientation and online information search
skill programs to increase users’ awareness, supporting to achieve information seeking behavior in
digital environment.
Conclusion
The issues relating to information seeking
behavior and ICT usage of legal researchers has
become more paramount especially when
information communication technologies have
become the means of harnessing legal
information in law libraries worldwide. This has
posed serious challenges to law librarians
The study finds that the librarians having
adequate knowledge on subject matter and
competency on electronic databases in the field
are the only solution in improvising better
library services to fulfill the information
seeking need of research scholar.
INTERNATONAL LAW REPORTS & JOURNALS
Stacking racks for reference & text books
Inauguration of Justice T.P.S. Chawla
Library 14th August 2010
INNER VIEW OF THE LIBRARY
STUDY CARRELS & SITTING ARRANGEMENT