Evaluation of Students Awareness of Concepts, Computer Software and Using Database in Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences

Today, using modern information and communication to achieve development, because of high-speed production of knowledge is inevitable. Also, information technology has provided an opportunity to improve the quality of education in universities. Considering students as the main component of education, this study was conducted to evaluate student's awareness of concepts, computer software and using database in Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences. This descriptive study was conducted on 120 Master students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences through cluster sampling method in 2012. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and its reliability and validity has been confirmed. Data were analyzed SPSS. The results showed that 83/3% of the students passed computer training courses and 38/3% of them had International Computer certificate. Allocated time to use computer during a day was as follow: 43.3% of students 1-2 hours per day, 45% more than 2 hours and 11.7% less than one hour. Also in using internet 40% between 1-2 hours and 35% more than 2 hours per day used Internet. All students have email and 41/7% checked their email daily. 86/7% was familiar with Google scholar, 60% with Iranian National Medical Digital Library (INLM) and 31/7% with Medline database. Also, 85% was familiar with search engines and 81/7% with search operators. Among microsoft office software, high and low familiarity ralated to power point (60%) and access (11.7%) respectively. Results showed that students had sufficient awareness of Information Technology (IT) skills. But teaching computer skills and using software such as Endnote and SPSS is essential in universities.