Factors influencing undergraduate use of e-books: A mixed methods study

Source Publication (e.g., journal title)

Library & Information Science Research

Authors

Devendra Potnis, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Kanchan Deosthali, University of Mary WashingtonFollow
Xiaohua Zhu, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow
Rebecca McCusker, University of Tennessee, KnoxvilleFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2018

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2018.06.001

Abstract

Academic libraries invest millions of dollars to make electronic resources available to students for free. However, free access might not necessarily result in students’ sustained interest in and use of e-books. This interdisciplinary, mixed methods research investigates the factors influencing the intention of 279 undergraduate students to use e-books at a land-grant university in the southern US. Structural equation modeling of the survey responses suggests that organizational environment for information technology, external locus of control, subjective norm, perceived enjoyment (i.e., joyfulness), and information technology features play a significant role in influencing the intention of students to use e-books. Based on a combination of quantitative results and qualitative findings, this study identifies eight activities that libraries need to undertake in order to increase the use of e-books by undergraduate students.

Comments

This paper is published in the Library & Information Science Research journal.

License: CC BY-NC-ND

Recommended Citation

Potnis, D., Deosthali, K., Zhu, X., & McCusker, R. (2018). Factors influencing undergraduate use of e-books: A mixed methods study. Library & Information Science Research, 40(2), 106-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2018.06.001.

Submission Type

Post-print