Enthusiasm in Information Retrieval Skills of Visually Challenged Undergraduates in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Information is crucial in raising educational and research efficiency. These information needs are met in higher education institutions such as universities, through university libraries.

The library can service a visually challenged undergraduate not only by providing resources, but also by developing their self-confidence and potential.

The study investigates how enthusiastic visually challenged undergraduates are in improving their information retrieval skills and the predictors of enthusiasm for improving information retrieval skills among them in Sri Lankan university libraries.

Based on the literature review, a set of requirements for the analysis of the study was established. These served as the foundation for the interview schedule created for this study and the descriptive survey approach was sufficient.

This research was evaluated using six major research dimensions as independent variables; Physical Attributes in Accessing Information, Suitability of Information Resources, Method of Delivering Services, Intrapersonal Skills, Social Interaction, and New avenues for Information Retrieval, which comprises of 19 statements, and 03 statements were used as dependent variables. Language, Braille, and Computer Ability were identified as mediators. Gender distribution and the type of visual impairment were used as moderators in the conceptual context. Descriptive and Inferential Statistical approaches were used in this study.

The results showed that visually impaired undergraduates had a modest degree of enthusiasm in improving their information retrieval skills. Only 4 of the 14 hypotheses examined by the researcher were accepted, with the other ten hypotheses being dismissed.

The dependent variable was related to 2 independent variables; ‘Intrapersonal Skills’ and ‘New Avenues for Information Retrieval, whereas all moderators were related to the ‘Intrapersonal skills’.

The appropriate recommendations are listed in order to fill the void identified through this research.