The Use of Internet as Information Resources in Nigeria Universities
CHAPTER ONE
Purpose of the study
The main objective of this study is assess the use of internet as information resources
The specific research objectives are stated below:
- To identify what types of Internet resources are provided in the libraries.
- To determine if information seekers are aware of the existence of Internet resources in the institutions libraries.
- To determine the extent of use of these resources by Undergraduate students .
- To find out those factors that hinders the use of Internet resources and services in the department of library and information science.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Awareness of the Internet Resources and Services for Academic Activities
Research studies were conducted on awareness of the Internet resources and services, for instance, Upadhyay and Chakraborty (2008) posited in their study of academic staff in the Institute of technology, Banaras Hindu University shows 84.3% of the respondents are aware of the Internet resources and services while 15.6% are not aware. The 84.3% who indicated being aware had a different level of awareness with some indicating high level of awareness and some low level of awareness as well. In addition, Chandran (2013) indicates that library users at Siva Institute of Frontier Technology, India had 95.1% awareness of the Internet resources and services while 14.8% were not, the study indicated that respondents had different levels of awareness. The study further shows users were informed about the existence of the Internet resources through the library professionals, institution website, official circular, and the library board. The high response rate of awareness can be attributed to the several sources of awareness provided by the institution. In addition to this, Chetan and Amrutbhai (2012) conducted a study on user awareness of the Internet resources in pharmaceutical company’s library in Ahmadabad the study indicated that there is a high level of awareness by users in the libraries. Closely related to this, Egberongbe (2011) investigated the use of Internet resources and services at the University of Lagos. It was established that 71.4% of the respondents are aware of the existence of Internet resources and services. This implies that the respondents are making use of the resources and services in their academic activities.
In a study conducted by Salaam, Ajiboye, and Bankole (2013) on the use of electronic information resources by academics in Federal University of Agriculture, Abekuta, Nigeria, revealed that 93.8% of academics have a high level of the Internet resources and services awareness. Moreover, Okiki and Asiru (2011) surveyed the awareness, attitude and use of electronic information resources among academics in the University, of Lagos, Nigeria. The study revealed that 55.6% of the respondents showed awareness of the Internet resources and services. In a similar study by Ani and Edem (2011) which indicated that the users of University of Calabar library are mostly aware of online databases such as Science Direct, EBSCOHOST, AGURA, and HINARI. In his study of e-library use at the University of Ilorin, Isah (2010) reported that the majority of the academic staff were aware of the existence of Internet resources and services. The awareness is connected to occasional e-mail posting by the University library to sensitize members of the University community on the Internet resources subscribed to the University. Owolabi et al. (2012) stated that the introduction of the Internet resources and services into academic environment particularly Universities almost predictably followed by rapid growth in awareness by students and academics, thereby improving the conduct of their academic activities.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
It is a term used to describe a number of decisions which need to be taken regarding the collection of data before they are collected. (Nwana, 1981). It provides guidelines which direct the researcher towards solving the research problem and may vary depending on the nature of the problem being studied. According to Okaja ( 2003, p. 2),” research design means the structuring of investigation aimed at identifying variables and their relationship, it is used for the purpose of obtaining data to enable the investigator test hypothesis or answer research question by providing procedural outline for conducting research”. It is therefore, an outline or scheme that serves as a useful guide to the researcher in his efforts to generate data for his study.
The choice of survey method adopted for this research was dictated by the nature of the research problem been investigated. This is because of the advantages attested to it by Aina and Ajiferuke, (2002) and Osouala (2003). According to them, a survey method could be conveniently used in the study of large and small population with minimal time and it is accurate. Muhammad (2001) also opines that the benefits of survey is clearly seen when it focuses on a given population where data is collected and analyzed and the information gathered can be generalized in terms of characteristics , opinions, and believes of the population been studied . it was against this fact that the method was adopted.
Population of the study
A study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description (Prince Udoyen: 2019). A target population is a subset of the population which can be reached by the researcher and contain same attributes as the parent population. The target population of this study consists of the entire undergraduate students of library and information science.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Introduction
This chapter presented the data collected for the study. It also presents the response rate, the data analysis and the discussion of findings.
Response Rate
Out of the 100 (100%) copies of questionnaire distributed to the respondents, a total of 86 (86%) copies were returned duly completed and found usable for this study. The high response rate was realized due to the fact that the researcher diligently administered the questionnaire. Also, the respondents were given one day within which to complete and return their copies of the questionnaire. This is in agreement with Osuola, (2007) who observed that 60% response rate is a realistic figure and may be acceptable for self-completion questionnaire.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter presents summaries of the findings. It also contains the conclusion that was drawn and recommendations that were made on how to improve in assessing the use of Internet resources
Summary of Findings
- The findings based on research question one reveals that, there are different Internet resources available in Federal University of Technology Yola libraries which show most of the Internet resources listed in the options are available in the library, and library website, computer, online database, CD-ROMs and internet are available in Federal University of Technology Yola libraries.
- The research question two also reveals that, the library computers are the major ways to access Internet information resources and also the techniques used in acquiring the skills to access Internet are through courses offered in Federal University of Technology Yola.
- The extent of using Internet information resources in MAUTECH libraries by undergraduate students of library science reveals that library website, online database and computers compare to others Internet resources and also there is adequate use of Internet as information resources in Federal University of Technology Yola by library science department
- It can be said that the challenges students faced when using Internet information resources by undergraduate students of library science are insufficient computer and slow internet connectivity among others.
Conclusion
It could be concluded from the findings of this study that there are different type of Internet resources available in Federal University of Technology Yola libraries which include library website, computer, online database, CD-ROMs and internet. Only fax mail that is not available and it may be due to lack of awareness like other Internet resources. Library website is the major ways to access Internet information resources in Federal University of Technology Yola libraries and also, personal handheld devices are list used to access Internet information resources. However, the techniques used to acquire the skills in accessing Internet resources in Federal University of Technology Yola libraries by undergraduate students of library science is through courses offered at the university. Library websites, online databases, and computers are mostly used by student of library science at Federal University of Technology Yola libraries because despite the many Internet information resources found in MAUTECH libraries, to access Internet information and finally, slow internet connectivity with frequency of 51(59%) recorded the challenges faced when accessing Internet information resources an Federal University of Technology Yola libraries.
Recommendations
Based on the major findings and conclusion of this study, the following recommendations are strongly made:
- The library should make available other types of Internet information resources like internet websites, email services, flash drives, multimedia fax, and other type of Internet information resources to help students in there study and research.
- It is recommended that Federal University of Technology Yola libraries should improvethe use of personal computer, their smart phones and handheld devices to help students access their e-resources in the library.
- It is recommended that awareness of other Internet information resources like fax, multimedia, internet websites, e-journals, e-books should be done by the library to help students in there research and studies.
- Finally, it is recommended that, sufficient networked computers are available for students, adequate I.T skills; computer literacy should be provided in the library to the students in Federal University of Technology Yola
Suggestion for Further Research.
Based on the finding of this study, Further research is necessary to show how best to encourage students to make effective use of the Internet as information resources.
The findings of this study did not indicate that students are relying more on Internet resources and online web based resources than on the physical print materials, a research is necessary to determine this. A study to establish assessing the use of Internet resources should be undertaking.
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