Exploring Research Scholars' Perspectives On Open Access Publishing Initiatives: A Study Of Doaj & Doar

Abstract

Electronic resources play a vital role in distributing scholarly material in the current digital age. This study investigates the information-seeking habits of research scholars at the University of Rajasthan, with a specific focus on their knowledge and utilization of open-access initiatives such as the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and the Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR). Data was collected using an online survey and analysed using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that a large majority (91%) of participants are familiar with DOAJ and DOAR, yet a tiny percentage (8%) have never utilized these tools. Google Scholar is the platform that is used most frequently, with a usage rate of 24%. It is followed by JSTOR, which has a usage rate of 21%. Shodhganga has a usage rate of 20%, while ResearchGate has a usage rate of 10%. Nevertheless, scholars have obstacles while trying to access these materials, mostly because of intermittent internet connectivity, insufficient ICT infrastructure, language hurdles, and limited knowledge of information retrieval methods. Although e-resource platforms are widely acknowledged, their practical utilization remains rather limited. In order to tackle this issue, the University of Rajasthan should adopt extensive educational initiatives, organize workshops, and offer training sessions to boost scholars' proficiency in efficiently navigating and utilizing various electronic information platforms.