Relationship of OPAC users' satisfaction with their demographic characteristics, computer skills, user education, user assistance and user-friendly OPAC

Abstract

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to identify whether user demographic characteristics, computer skills, user education, user assistance and user-friendly OPAC (online public access catalog) have an impact on their satisfaction in the context of users in an Indian university setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method was utilized and a questionnaire was designed to collect data. The study is based on a sample of the 384 questionnaires from the three universities located in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and Punjab State. To analyze the data collected, SPSS package (version 14.0) was used, and also to produce requisite cross-tabulations. Chi-square testing was performed to determine the association of user satisfaction with the variables covered in the study.

Findings

The findings highlighted that overall there was a low degree of satisfaction among the users. With the exception of academic majors, in general, there were no significant differences between satisfaction and user demographic characteristics. Overall satisfaction was significantly higher for those who were possessed with adequate knowledge on OPAC, and had received staff assistance, as well as necessary education on OPAC. The study showed that satisfaction with ease of usage of OPAC was higher. It was also found that users were well-equipped with computers and had attained skills while frequently searching the web, however, it was also revealed that mere possession of computer skills was not sufficient for efficient use of OPAC, resulting in the attainment of a high level of satisfaction.

Originality/value

The paper brings out the fact of how user demographic characteristics, computer skills, user education, user assistance, and user-friendly OPAC, influence user satisfaction in a university educational set up. The findings will be beneficial for increasing user satisfaction levels in order to retain existing OPAC users because OPAC will continue to be a necessary tool for accessing quality academic information available in both print and electronic format.

Citation

Kumar, S. (2014), "Relationship of OPAC users' satisfaction with their demographic characteristics, computer skills, user education, user assistance and user-friendly OPAC", The Electronic Library, Vol. 32 No. 1, pp. 106-123. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-01-2012-0002