Use of Information Sources by Faculty Members, Research scholars and Students of the Faculty of Commerce, AMU, Aligarh: A Survey

Introduction The rapid growth of information and communication technology since the early 1990s has greatly influenced the accessibility of information on a global level and also has played a critical role in restructuring the mechanisms by which specialized academic knowledge is validated, distributed, and made available to consumers. Most of the libraries have changed their contemporary outlooks towards the functions and services. Data, Information and knowledge are often used synonymously though there is difference in their meaning. Data piece of information, data is unorganized piece of facts. When this data is organized to convey a meaningful message, it becomes information. Knowledge is the totality of what is known. Information originates from an idea that creeps in the mind, as a result of observation. These ideas/facts when organized or processed to convey significant meaning about something, is information Historical Almanac of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Faculty of Commerce Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is one of the oldest and most distinguished universities of the subcontinent. It was founded in 1882 as Mohammadan-Anglo-Oriental College by the great social reformer, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan; it blossomed in to a full-fledged university in 1920 by an Act of Parliament. There are 18 Halls of residence accommodating nearly 28000 students. There are 14 faculties under which nearly 80 of studies operate. Faculty of Commerce is one of the best faculties of AMU. There are several courses, i.e., Master of Finance and Control (MFC), Master of Tourism Administration, etc. Faculty of commerce is very strong in research activities. Review of Related Literature Chowdappa, Chandrashekhara, and Ramesh (2009) depict the extent of dependency of users of educational and research institution of Mysore city. For the purpose of study 42 higher education's institution and three research centers were taken. The information users were P.G. students from the engineering and medical colleges. Researchers on the IT based on higher tools than the conventional source of information. The data shows that 95% of the respondents have relied on Internet for availing e-mail, 93% relied on e-journals. Most of higher education udders relied on Internet for communication, accessing journals and encyclopedia for information. Quiet a good percentage of users rely on Internet for chatting. Print medium in libraries continue to grow and be central to mission of the academic libraries. Joshi and Sharma (2009) look at the need for information literacy education in Kurukshetra University. Students learn many of these skills on various educational activities. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted and it was found that the society of 21st century needs persons who deals with information the same way as engineer handles his instruments or as architect designs a new building structure. The questionnaire mainly took various aspects of information search. It was found that students mainly depend on library and the teachers for their information. Physics students still consult their teachers and libraries for their queries whereas Tour and Hotel Management students rely on Internet. Okello-Obura, et al. (2008) explore a business information system designed for Uganda's economic development. The case of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), in Northern Uganda. The study was conducted in 2005/06 to identify the source of business information used. By small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), rate these sources according to their usefulness in meeting the information needs of SMEs, determine the means of access to business information, and purpose appropriate sources and means of access to business information for consideration in the design of business information system (BIS). To enable the various business information sources using various means. One of the key recommendations is the adoption of Internet-based services with the integration of an interactive business planner, an online small business and workshop. …