Domain Analytic Approach to the Use of Academic Databases by Graduate Students

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the variations in the search pattern of scholarly databases due to disciplinary differences among graduate students. It is a case study which employed the survey method to solicit the views of purposely selected postgraduate students from six colleges of KwameNkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The findings of the study indicate that differences exist in the extent as well as patterns of use of journal databases among graduate students ,and that search patterns are dependent on the degree of scatter of topical content. Knowledge of the internal relationships among scholarly journals will ensure that relevant databases are selected for maximum exploitation. The study provides the domain analytic approach to database use in the Ghanaian situation which is woefully deficient in the literature.