This paper reports the results from a pilot study investigating the information needs and information seeking behavior of small business owners and entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh and the Greater Pittsburgh area and potential information services they mayprefer to receive. Twenty-one participants of a workshop co-organized by the Business Service Department of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and a local organization (Service Corps of Retired Executives) responded to a detailed survey. Results show that this particular group of small business people occasionally searches for various types of information. When looking for business related information, they tend to ask their friends and relatives (27.84%), business consultants (23.2%) and colleagues (21.65%) rather than librarians (5.67%) for information about marketing, finance, management, customer services, taxes, employment laws, etc. They use telephone (44.19%) or go in person (36.58%) rather than using email (12.09%) or fax (5.58%) to contact information providers. Although books and magazines are their major information resources (55.02%), they prefer to locate information from homes (41.59%) to libraries (16.81%). They favor value-added information services. They are willing to pay for packaged information prepared by information professionals, advisement sessions with business consultants, and workshops and seminars covering small business topics. Implications and suggestions for the design of user-centered information services are discussed.

Індекс рубрикатора НБУВ: Р413.51

Рубрики:

Хвороби печінки

Шифр НБУВ: Ж21341/а Пошук видання у каталогах НБУВ 

Індекс рубрикатора НБУВ: Р284.5 + Л782.122

Рубрики:

Токсикологія органічних речовин та їх сполук

Тверді олії

Шифр НБУВ: Ж69358 Пошук видання у каталогах НБУВ 

The objective of the study was to assess the disposition and challenges of students towards teaching and learning of biochemistry through WhatsApp. The study was a cross-sectional survey which had 200 level (Second Year) and 400 level (Fourth Year) students of biochemistry as respondents. Data collection was done using a selfdeveloped questionnaire administered through the WhatsApp group created for learning and collected through a designated e-mail address. Data analysis was carried out using the mean and standard deviation setting a mean score of 2,5 as a benchmark for accepting or rejecting statements made in the questionnaire. The study revealed that students had a level of openness to using online teaching resources for biochemistry; they do not believe that the use of WhatsApp for teaching and learning of biochemistry as a means of alternative to face to face classroom interaction will be effective in imparting the right knowledge in biochemistry. Several challenges identified are linked to not just money but is hinged around the curriculum structure of the biochemistry programme. Conclusion: it is concluded that WhatsApp represents a potential means of instruction but may be hampered by challenges hinged on the curriculum structure of biochemistry.