Information Seeking Behaviour of Visually Impaired University Students in India

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the information seeking behaviour of visually impaired students at Aligarh Muslim University and University of Delhi. Study ascertained the sources and strategies employed by visually impaired students for acquiring the information. Problems encountered and suggestions to overcome are also discussed in the study. To conduct the study purposive sampling method was applied and data was collected using structured interview technique from 115 visually impaired students and analysed using SPSS. Findings of the study revealed that visually impaired students prefer electronic format for acquiring information for different academic purposes which they fulfilled from their university libraries. Students mentioned that whenever required they got help from their colleagues and library staff. The study is useful for professionals pursuing understanding about the information need of visually impaired students. Further, the study will be useful for government, academic libraries and NGOs serving visually impaired to work together on the strategies to provide better services to this group of users.