Sinha et al. (2023)
Contents
Source Details
| Sinha et al. (2023) | |
| Title: | Information seeking, sharing behaviour, and copyright violations among students in India in the digital age |
| Author(s): | Sinha, P., Kumari, M., Amees, M. |
| Year: | 2023 |
| Citation: | Sinha, P., Kumari, M., & Amees, M. (2023). Information seeking, sharing behaviour, and copyright violations among students in India in the digital age. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. |
| Link(s): | Open Access |
| Key Related Studies: | |
| Discipline: | |
| Linked by: | |
| About the Data | |
| Data Description: | A survey questionnaire collected data on student participants' information-seeking behaviour, use of OER and open-access resources, and copyright concerns. The survey employed a snowball sampling method, distributed through various platforms, resulting in 770 completed responses. It used a five-point Likert scale to measure attitudes and awareness on the research topics from January to May 2022. |
| Data Type: | Primary data |
| Secondary Data Sources: | |
| Data Collection Methods: | |
| Data Analysis Methods: | |
| Industry(ies): | |
| Country(ies): | |
| Cross Country Study?: | No |
| Comparative Study?: | No |
| Literature review?: | No |
| Government or policy study?: | No |
| Time Period(s) of Collection: |
|
| Funder(s): |
|
Abstract
• “Purpose – The present study investigates information-sharing behaviour and awareness of students towards the infringement of copyright and associated rights while information sharing. The purpose of this study is to seek answers to the issue of whether or not students infringe on the rights of others and, if they do, whether they do so deliberately or unwittingly. Even though the Copyright Act and copyrighted works are often disregarded, students, teachers and peers are long-term trading and adapting new e-resources for their use. • Design/methodology/approach – The study collected data from students in India through a survey using Google Forms from January 2022 to May 2022. It analysed it using SPSS software to identify behaviour patterns, trends and factors influencing actions and awareness regarding potential copyright issues during data sharing. • Findings – The study finds that many students in India engage in copyright infringement, either deliberately or unwittingly. Many students are unaware of copyright laws and regulations and do not understand the consequences of their actions. • Research limitations/implications – The study’s findings are limited to students in Tamil Nadu, India, and may not represent students in other countries or regions. The findings can inform policies and educational programmes that promote ethical and legal behaviour among students and help reduce the incidence of copyright infringement. • Originality/value – This study’s originality and value stem from its unique approach of merging information sharing, seeking and copyright concepts.”
Main Results of the Study
The study involved 770 respondents, with 53.5% males and 46.4% females, predominantly aged 17-25 (74.3%). Regarding education, 52.6% were pursuing bachelor's degrees, 31.2% master's degrees, 3.6% MPhil, and 12.6% PhD. Most participants (54.2%) used both print and electronic sources for academic purposes, while e-resources were frequently referred to, including websites (64.5%), e-databases (47%), e-journals (44.8%), and e-books (44%). Respondents often shared e-resources such as e-books (58.2%), e-newspapers (42.2%), and e-magazines (38.7%). WhatsApp (89.4%) was the preferred mode for sharing e-resources. Portable Document Format (PDF) was the most preferred format (4.45). Awareness of copyright-related terms varied, with IP (3.21) being the most recognized, while Copyleft (1.78) had the lowest recognition. Approximately 90% were aware of literary pieces, 63% of dramatic works, 59.2% of musical works, 55.4% of cinematograph films, 35.7% of sound recordings, and 15.3% of artistic works. representing respondents' knowledge of different types of works attributed to copyright.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
The study suggests several recommendations based on its findings (although the subjects responsible for the implementation are not specified). These include conducting awareness campaigns to educate students about copyright laws and their consequences, integrating copyright education into the curriculum, ensuring access to legitimate information sources, and promoting ethical behaviour in information seeking and sharing. It also emphasizes the importance of monitoring and enforcing copyright laws and collaborating with educators, administrators, and industry organizations to raise awareness and promote ethical behaviour. Overall, the study underscores the need for better understanding and awareness of copyright laws among students, educators, and institutions.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
{{{Dataset}}}
