Browsing by Author "Jayawardana, M.C.N."

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Awareness and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC)/Web OPAC by University Students of University of Kelaniya
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Wimalawansha, B.G.U.N.; Jayawardana, M.C.N.; Sewwandi, H.K.I.
The Introduction of Information and Communication Technology in the field of Libraries and Information Centers has impacted on library services and library techniques such as retrieval and dissemination of information resources. It has also changed the ways of providing library services to user community. OPAC is one of the technologies which easy provide access to bibliographical information such as name of author, title, publisher, date of the publication. Although OPAC is identified as a easy and effective way to search information in the library, many users have not got relevant knowledge and skills to use OPAC. This study fulfill this gap. Main objective of this study is to identify what are the problems faced by University students when they use OPAC/Web OPAC. Moreover, this study also aim to understand knowledge and skills that required to use OPAC effectively. This study used a survey method as a research method. The population of this study consists of University students in Sri Lanka. The sample of this study represents students in the University of Kelaniya. This study used a quantitative data collection techniques. Questionnaires were distributed among the selected students in the University and 90% were responded. Descriptive statistics method (SPSS software) was used for data analysis of this study. This study found that number (69.1%) of students used OPAC as a search tool for retrieving documents. Although they knew OPAC as a computer catalogue, they do not have wide awareness about OPAC. Many students do not use all features provided by OPAC such as advance search, reserve books, search from ISBN number. Also they do not know how to search bibliographical records. Even though, the University library has provided OPAC facilities, there were some limitations i.e. not allow to copy, print and edit bibliographical data, absences of regular updating on OPAC system, unable to search terms using Sinhala and Tamil languages and longer time for connecting to OPAC. Due to these limitations students were not satisfied with OPAC services provided by the University library. Findings of this study highly useful for University library staff to provide effective OPAC facilities and thereby improve academics knowledge and skills to use OPAC effectively. For example library staff can organize qualitative instructional programs, can provide practical training on advanced searching methods and promote OPAC among University students.
A study based on Cane Indusrial Indigenous Knowledge: special reference in Wewaldeniya village
(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayawardana, M.C.N.
In Sri Lankan indigenous knowledge is acutely vivid and productive. Much of this knowledge existing orally since ancient times. Hence there is no preservation system to protect cane industrial knowledge in Wewaldeniya village. The main objective of this study is to examine the indigenous cane industrial knowledge and practices and its situation of Wewaldeniya village in Meerigama Divisional Secretarial Division. Other objectives were to explore the traditional cane product methods and to study their past and present situation of the cane industrial knowledge. The method of the research was the survey method. The data for the study was gathered from the villagers who were occupied in cane industry. As a qualitative research, direct participation, observation and interviews were used to obtain information as primary data. Secondary sources such as encyclopaedias, journals, books and other reference resources and web recourses were also used. Finding is that still community use traditional methodology in their cane industry. They use modern tools and techniques to produce goods in the cane industry. The indigenous knowledge used by this community has to be recorded and preserved for future generation use. This area has no formal collecting methodology and preservation system to protect the traditional knowledge. In addition, there is no formal program to develop the cane industry and their standard of living. Hence it is very essential that central government or local authorities prepare plans and policies to preserve traditional knowledge and develop this traditional industry.
A study based on the Use of Indigenous knowledge in Mirigama Divisional Secretarial Division in Gampaha District
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Jayawardana, M.C.N.; Wimalawansha, B.G.U.N.; Sewwandi, H.K.I.
Indigenous Knowledge is the knowledge that refers to the matured long-standing traditions and practices of certain regional, indigenous, or local communities. It is the knowledge which includes assumptions and beliefs. “Indigenous Knowledge is the knowledge developed around the specific conditions of the environment indigenous to a particular geographic area. Indigenous knowledge is cost effective, readily available, socially desirable and economically affordable” (Singh and Misri, 2006) The main objectives of this research is to find out the Indigenous Knowledge systems in Mirigama Divisional Secretarial Division, Study about Usage of past and present status of Indigenous Knowledge and preserve Indigenous Knowledge for future generation. The methodology of the research is the servey methed because of it’s a Qualitative research. The data for the study was gathered from Mirigama Divisional Secretarial Division in Gampaha District and five Gramasewaka Divisions has choosen as a sample for the study. The study is descriptive and participatory in nature. Direct participation, Observation, interviews and focus group discussions were used to obtain information. Further secondary sources such as books, Journals and electronic resources were also used. In this research can be identified main traditional systems namely agriculture, cane industry, Clay industry and traditional medicine ways. People who are in this area still use indigenous knowledge for their works and also livelihood. But in the present this knowledge is destroying. Since the indigenous knowledge used by this community has to be recorded and preserved for future generation use.
Usage of E - Resource for Academic Purposes among the University Temporary staff: special reference with faculty of social sciences, University of Kelaniya
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Sewwandi, H.K.I.; Jayawardana, M.C.N.; Wimalawansha, B.G.U.N.
Electronic Resources have become a necessity in the modern information society. Today information and communication technology has given more opportunities for the information seekers, scholars and researchers. This new trend has changed expanded and added value to the library collections as well as has widened the scope of the library user communities. E Resource comes with various forms such as E- books, E-Journals, E-Databases etc. Through the electronic media temporary academic staff makes aware himself with the current information and updates. The study investigated the usage of E-resources by the Temporary staff. The objectives of the study were to examine how the university temporary staff search required information through the e-resources and how they use e-resources for their academic purposes. Structured questionnaires were distributed among all the temporary staff in the Faculty of Social Science, University of Kelaniya. Questionnaire was the main data gathering method. It was identified that from the total population only 74% use electronic media for their academic works. According to the results 40% percent of temporary staff uses e-books to search information, 15% percent use online databases and 19% Percent of students use e-Journals. 26% Percent of staff didn‘t appear to use electronic media for their academic purposes. Major Reason for this issue is staff used to go for the university library for search information without electronic concept. Other Problems were lack of awareness about electronic media, Connection problems Suggestions were made to conduct training sessions, workshops in order to awareness among stakeholders.
Use of Electronic Media for Academic Purposes among the University Students: special reference with faculty of social sciences, University of Kelaniya
(Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Dilinika, J.M.S.; Jayawardana, M.C.N.
Within the Information society, electronic media are playing vital role. It has revolutionized the information system and sessions. Electronic media comes with various forms such as Ebooks, online databases, CD, DVD and etc. Through the electronic media Students make aware himself with the current information and updates. The study investigated the usage of electronic media by the students. The objectives of the study were to examine how the university students search required information from the electronic media and to identify the usage of electronic media for academic purposes and to ascertain the problems encountered by the university students in the process of searching of information. Structured questionnaires were distributed among 100 first year undergraduates in the Faculty of Social Science, University of Kelaniya. Questionnaire was the main data gathering method. It was identified that from the total population only 44% students use electronic media for their academic works. According to the results 20% percent of students use e-books to search information, 8% percent use online databases and 10% Percent of students use e-Journals. Another 6% use CD/DVD to find academic information. But, 56% Percent of students didn‘t appear to use electronic media for their academic works. Major Reason for this issue is students used to go for the university library for search information without electronic concept. Other Problems were lack of awareness about electronic media, Connection problems and Students used to surf internet only as a social media. Suggestions were made to conduct training sessions, workshops in order to awareness among stakeholders.