Comparative Study of Emotional Correlations Academic Information Seeking Behaviour and Library Services in Special Schools in Karnataka India

Abstract

The study examines a comparative analysis of students’ emotional correlations, academic information-seeking behavior, and library services in special schools in Karnataka, India. The research data was gathered using qualitative and quantitative methods, including in-depth interviews, survey methods, and focus groups conducted among 2054 specially-abled students in Karnataka. The study is confined to visual and hearing-impaired students. Students from both groups demonstrated high emotional similarity (strong positive correlation, r= .928). However, hearing-impaired students exhibited stronger information-seeking behavior (significant t-value, 3.145). While libraries offered similar service types to both groups (t-value, 1.145), visually impaired students had better access to assistive technology (significant t-value, 5.678), highlighting a resource disparity and suggesting libraries require strategies tailored to student needs.