Library and Information Science (LIS) is a multifaceted field that combines principles of librarianship, information management, and technology to support the organization, retrieval, and dissemination of information. The UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) in LIS evaluates candidates’ knowledge across various domains within library science, including cataloging, classification, information technology, research methods, and information retrieval. The exam is essential for those aspiring to become lecturers or researchers in LIS in India.
This compilation of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) provides an overview of key concepts and theories covered in previous UGC NET exams. Each question is crafted to reflect the depth and diversity of LIS topics and comes with an answer and brief explanation to help deepen understanding. These questions cover foundational theories, key figures, important standards, and significant developments in the field. This selection will serve as an effective tool for both revision and knowledge enhancement for LIS aspirants.
Here Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from previous UGC NET Library and Information Science exams, along with answers and explanations.
- 1 1. Who coined the term “Information Science”?
- 2 2. Which law of Library Science states “Every book its reader”?
- 3 3. The first Library Act in India was enacted in which state?
- 4 4. Which indexing system uses “uniterms”?
- 5 5. In library classification, “Colon Classification” was developed by:
- 6 6. Which of the following is a Boolean operator?
- 7 7. The concept of “Selective Dissemination of Information” (SDI) was introduced by:
- 8 8. The principle of “Least Effort” in information-seeking behavior was given by:
- 9 9. The standard abbreviation for “Library and Information Science” is:
- 10 10. The “Five Laws of Library Science” were formulated by:
- 11 11. Which of the following is NOT a type of catalog?
- 12 12. Who is known as the “Father of Library Science” in India?
- 13 13. The first law of library science is:
- 14 14. “Colon Classification” was developed by:
- 15 15. What does “OPAC” stand for?
- 16 16. Who coined the term “Bibliometrics”?
- 17 17. Which library is known as the “Library of Congress”?
- 18 18. What is a “Union Catalog”?
- 19 19. “Impact Factor” was introduced by:
- 20 20. In library classification, “DDC” stands for:
- 21 21. “Information Retrieval” focuses on:
- 22 22. Which type of indexing uses “uniterms”?
- 23 23. In Ranganathan’s Colon Classification, which is the “Personality” facet?
- 24 24. The “Shannon and Weaver” model is also known as:
- 25 25. The standard used for the exchange of bibliographic information in a digital format is:
1. Who coined the term “Information Science”?
- A) S. R. Ranganathan
- B) Ralph R. Shaw
- C) Paul Otlet
- D) Calvin N. Mooers
- Answer: C) Paul Otlet
- Explanation: Paul Otlet, a Belgian documentalist, is considered one of the fathers of information science, especially for his contributions to documentation and indexing.
2. Which law of Library Science states “Every book its reader”?
- A) First Law
- B) Second Law
- C) Third Law
- D) Fifth Law
- Answer: B) Second Law
- Explanation: S. R. Ranganathan’s Second Law, “Every book its reader,” emphasizes that for every book, there exists at least one reader who will benefit from it.
3. The first Library Act in India was enacted in which state?
- A) Maharashtra
- B) Tamil Nadu
- C) Andhra Pradesh
- D) West Bengal
- Answer: B) Tamil Nadu
- Explanation: The Madras Public Libraries Act of 1948 was the first Library Act in India, which was later adopted by other states.
4. Which indexing system uses “uniterms”?
- A) Chain Indexing
- B) Permuted Indexing
- C) Coordinate Indexing
- D) KWIC Indexing
- Answer: C) Coordinate Indexing
- Explanation: The coordinate indexing system, also known as Uniterm indexing, was developed to use single terms or “uniterms” for indexing.
5. In library classification, “Colon Classification” was developed by:
- A) C.A. Cutter
- B) Melvil Dewey
- C) S.R. Ranganathan
- D) H.E. Bliss
- Answer: C) S.R. Ranganathan
- Explanation: Colon Classification is an innovative classification system developed by S.R. Ranganathan, using symbols (e.g., colons) to link concepts.
6. Which of the following is a Boolean operator?
- A) OR
- B) NOT
- C) AND
- D) All of the above
- Answer: D) All of the above
- Explanation: Boolean operators include AND, OR, and NOT, which help refine search results in databases and information retrieval.
7. The concept of “Selective Dissemination of Information” (SDI) was introduced by:
- A) Calvin Mooers
- B) Eugene Garfield
- C) Hans Peter Luhn
- D) Paul Otlet
- Answer: C) Hans Peter Luhn
- Explanation: SDI was developed by Hans Peter Luhn as a way to deliver tailored information to users based on their specific information needs.
8. The principle of “Least Effort” in information-seeking behavior was given by:
- A) D. Ellis
- B) A. Prabha
- C) T.D. Wilson
- D) George Zipf
- Answer: D) George Zipf
- Explanation: George Zipf’s Principle of Least Effort suggests that users will tend to seek the easiest solution or resource.
9. The standard abbreviation for “Library and Information Science” is:
- A) LIS
- B) LINS
- C) LIBIS
- D) LINFO
- Answer: A) LIS
- Explanation: LIS is the commonly accepted abbreviation for Library and Information Science.
10. The “Five Laws of Library Science” were formulated by:
- A) Melvil Dewey
- B) S. R. Ranganathan
- C) Shiyali Ramamrita
- D) Charles Ammi Cutter
- Answer: B) S. R. Ranganathan
- Explanation: S.R. Ranganathan is the originator of the “Five Laws of Library Science,” a foundational theory in library science.
11. Which of the following is NOT a type of catalog?
- A) Author catalog
- B) Title catalog
- C) Keyword catalog
- D) Dictionary catalog
- Answer: C) Keyword catalog
- Explanation: A keyword catalog isn’t a traditional type. Library catalogs are typically divided by author, title, and subject.
12. Who is known as the “Father of Library Science” in India?
- A) Melvil Dewey
- B) S.R. Ranganathan
- C) Paul Otlet
- D) H.E. Bliss
- Answer: B) S.R. Ranganathan
- Explanation: S.R. Ranganathan is considered the father of library science in India for his contributions, including the Five Laws of Library Science.
13. The first law of library science is:
- A) Books are for use
- B) Every book its reader
- C) Save the time of the reader
- D) A library is a growing organism
- Answer: A) Books are for use
- Explanation: The first law emphasizes the purpose of libraries to make books accessible to readers.
14. “Colon Classification” was developed by:
- A) C.A. Cutter
- B) Melvil Dewey
- C) S.R. Ranganathan
- D) Henry Bliss
- Answer: C) S.R. Ranganathan
- Explanation: This is a faceted classification system developed by Ranganathan, using colons to separate different aspects.
15. What does “OPAC” stand for?
- A) Online Public Access Catalogue
- B) Online Printed Access Catalogue
- C) Offline Public Access Catalogue
- D) Online Private Access Catalogue
- Answer: A) Online Public Access Catalogue
- Explanation: OPAC is a computerized catalog that allows users to search library collections.
16. Who coined the term “Bibliometrics”?
- A) Alan Pritchard
- B) Bradford
- C) Eugene Garfield
- D) Derek de Solla Price
- Answer: A) Alan Pritchard
- Explanation: Pritchard introduced “Bibliometrics” to describe the statistical analysis of books, articles, or other publications.
17. Which library is known as the “Library of Congress”?
- A) British Library
- B) American Library
- C) National Library of the USA
- D) United States Library
- Answer: C) National Library of the USA
- Explanation: The Library of Congress serves as the national library of the United States.
18. What is a “Union Catalog”?
- A) Catalog of one library
- B) Catalog of multiple libraries combined
- C) Catalog of digital resources
- D) Catalog of printed books only
- Answer: B) Catalog of multiple libraries combined
- Explanation: Union catalogs compile records from multiple libraries into a single catalog.
19. “Impact Factor” was introduced by:
- A) Paul Otlet
- B) Eugene Garfield
- C) Derek de Solla Price
- D) Bradford
- Answer: B) Eugene Garfield
- Explanation: Garfield developed the impact factor to measure the influence of scientific journals.
20. In library classification, “DDC” stands for:
- A) Digital Data Classification
- B) Decimal Development Classification
- C) Dewey Decimal Classification
- D) Double Decimal Classification
- Answer: C) Dewey Decimal Classification
- Explanation: Dewey Decimal Classification is a widely used library classification system developed by Melvil Dewey.
21. “Information Retrieval” focuses on:
- A) Organizing and finding information
- B) Destroying irrelevant information
- C) Storing only printed books
- D) Only retrieving physical documents
- Answer: A) Organizing and finding information
- Explanation: Information retrieval aims to store and retrieve relevant information based on user needs.
22. Which type of indexing uses “uniterms”?
- A) Chain Indexing
- B) Coordinate Indexing
- C) KWIC Indexing
- D) Permuted Indexing
- Answer: B) Coordinate Indexing
- Explanation: Coordinate indexing, also called uniterm indexing, uses single terms to describe documents.
23. In Ranganathan’s Colon Classification, which is the “Personality” facet?
- A) Main Class
- B) First Facet
- C) Last Facet
- D) Auxiliary Class
- Answer: B) First Facet
- Explanation: The “Personality” facet is typically the first aspect in Ranganathan’s faceted classification.
24. The “Shannon and Weaver” model is also known as:
- A) Information Transfer Model
- B) Feedback Model
- C) Mathematical Model of Communication
- D) Sociological Model
- Answer: C) Mathematical Model of Communication
- Explanation: Shannon and Weaver’s model, created in 1949, is a foundational mathematical model in communication theory, focusing on signal transmission.
25. The standard used for the exchange of bibliographic information in a digital format is:
- A) ISO 9001
- B) AACR2
- C) MARC
- D) RDA
- Answer: C) MARC
- Explanation: MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) is a standard format for cataloging data, facilitating bibliographic information exchange across library systems.
A set of Library Science MCQs covering key concepts, theories, and standards in LIS, useful for UGC NET preparation with answers and explanations.
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