ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES IN MANONMANIAM SUNDARANAR UNIVERSITY, TIRUNELVELI, TAMIL NADU

Abstract

This study evaluates the access to and utilization of electronic resources among students and faculty members in Arts and Science colleges affiliated with Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. With the rapid growth of digital learning tools and e-resources, understanding user engagement, challenges and usage patterns is crucial for enhancing academic productivity. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 195 respondents, including 140 students and 55 faculty members. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis and independent samples t-test. The findings reveal that while the overall utilization of e-resources is moderate to high, significant differences exist between student and faculty usage patterns. E-journals and e-books are the most frequently accessed resources, primarily for academic assignments and research purposes. Key challenges include lack of awareness, insufficient training and technical limitations such as poor internet connectivity. Regression analysis indicates that awareness level, training received and frequency of use are significant predictors of e-resource utilization, whereas internet access location is not. The study concludes with practical suggestions to improve access, training and institutional support to promote more effective use of e-resources in higher education.