The Role of Virtual Reference Capabilities in Improving Users’ Research Activities

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Hamid Ghazi zade ¹
• Saeed Ghafari ²

¹ Payame Noor University, I.R. of Iran

² Payame Noor University

10.22067/riis.v0i0.69339

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of services and capabilities related to virtual reference components in improving the research performance of students at Shahid Beheshti University.
Methodology:  The study was an applied study and a survey was carried out. Data collection tool was a questionnaire. The statistical population of the study was all students of Shahid Beheshti University. 377 students were selected by stratified random sampling based on Morgan's sampling table.
Findings: The results of the study showed that among the various types of components related to virtual reference capabilities, the response rate with an average score of 4.29 is desirable and prioritized. Other dimensions, such as being respondent with a mean rate of 94.3, the comprehensiveness of responses with a mean rate of 3.86, and credibility of resources with an average rate of 3.75 were in the next orders, and were relatively favorable.
Conclusion: The results of the research indicate that the students' trust in Internet resources for research is high and this means that librarians should pay more attention to the dimensions and frameworks related to this issue. The value of the present study is to demonstrate virtual reference capabilities in libraries. Focusing on the components related to virtual reference, libraries will be able to facilitate the process related to researching their users in the library.

Keywords

• Keywords: virtual reference
• research activities
• Students

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