Abstract

MORAKA, Thereza; NTSALA, Morongoe  and  DIKOTLA, Maoka Andries. Self-efficacy in the adoption of online commercial databases by Information Studies students at the University of Limpopo in South Africa. SAJLIS [online]. 2024, vol.90, n.1, pp.1-9. ISSN 2304-8263.  https://doi.org/10.7553/90-1-2289.

Online Commercial Database (OCDs) training offered by academic libraries is intended to produce students with high levels of self-efficacy in adopting and using OCDs in their academic work. For students to use OCDs, they need to be computer literate and be able to use search tools and strategies. This multimethod study employed a questionnaire to collect data from sixty-six (66) 4^th-year-level Bachelor of Information Studies (BIS) degree students at the University of Limpopo in South Africa and document analysis to review the assignments of the students. Data were analysed using Social Statistical Package Software and thematic analysis. The results of the study show that many of the students cannot use OCDs due to lack of search skills. The study established that attending OCD training increased levels of self-efficacy to varying degrees but did not translate into full use and adoption of these databases. The study recommends that the library tailors OCD training according to the needs of students.

Keywords : Self-efficacy; online commercial databases; free online databases; OCD training; computer literacy.

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