An investigation into the information behaviour of veterinary practitioners in South Africa

Nel, Marguerite (2009). An investigation into the information behaviour of veterinary practitioners in South Africa. In: Positioning the Profession: the Tenth International Congress on Medical Librarianship, Brisbane, Australia, (1-25). August 31-September 4, 2009.

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Author Nel, Marguerite
Title of paper An investigation into the information behaviour of veterinary practitioners in South Africa
Conference Paper Type Fully Published Paper
Conference name Positioning the Profession: the Tenth International Congress on Medical Librarianship
Conference location Brisbane, Australia
Conference dates August 31-September 4, 2009
Publication date 2009
Start page 1
End page 25
Formatted Abstract/Summary For millennia humans have been seeking, organizing and using information as they learned and evolved patterns of human information behavior for resolving problems related to survival, work and everyday life (Spink & Cole, 2006:25). The aim of a research project by the Jotello F Library of the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria was to gain insight into the information behaviour of veterinary practitioners in South Africa, in order to recommend and develop appropriate information products and services.

A survey, examining a sample of South African veterinarians, was undertaken to identify their information needs and the methods used to satisfy these needs. It also investigated the processes involved in information usage. The Internet and information technology play an essential role in information seeking and usage.

This study also investigated the impact of electronic agents such as: Google and other search engines, web services such as IVIS (International Veterinary Information Service), Web 2.0 applications - for example Blogs and Wikipedia; the use of open source electronic articles, as well as the role of e-mail in finding information.

Compulsory Continued Professional Development (CPD) was initiated by the South African Veterinary Council to assist veterinarians in keeping up-to-date with contemporary veterinary developments. The role of the Jotello F Soga Library in assisting veterinarians earning CPD points will be investigated.

The paper concludes with an overview of existing products and services of the Jotello F Soga Library as well as recommendations on how to solve information gaps and requirements identified by this study.
Subjects 0807 Library and Information Studies
0707 Veterinary Sciences
Keyword University of Pretoria
South African Veterinary Council
Continuing Professional Development
Web 2.0 Technologies
Q-Index Code E1
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Unknown

 
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Created: Thu, 20 Aug 2009, 14:10:08 EST by Majella Pugh on behalf of The University of Queensland Library