Attitude of Undergraduate Students Towards the Academic Use of Electronic Information Resources in two Federal Universities in Enugu and Anambra States.
ABSTRACT
This study examined the attitude of undergraduate students towards academic use of electronic information resources in two federal universities in Nigeria, specifically University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Enugu and Anambra states respectively.
Six research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey design was employed for the study and the population consisted of all registered undergraduate students of U.N.N and N.A.U. with a total of 35,854 from both universities, out of which seven hundred and twenty students were sampled.
Stratified random sampling technique was used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The questionnaire has 61 items. Descriptive statistics including frequency tables, percentages and mean were used to answer research questions.
The finding revealed that: undergraduate students’ use of electronic information resources enhances their access to a wider range of information, most of them prefer to use internet for their academic work, and they prefer to use phones and laptops as their sources of electronic information resources.
They are motivated to use electronic resources because they provide quick access to information. The study also revealed that some electronic resources like CD ROM, Library portals, wire radiophone, news group, and online public access catalogue (OPAC) were not popular among the students.
However, the students face the problem of limited access to computer terminals, slow internet connectivity, irregular power supply, lack of IT knowledge to effectively utilize the electronic information resources services, as well as inadequate time to access electronic information resources due to pressure from academic work.
Some of the strategies for improving the academic use of electronic resources by the students include giving them more education on the use of electronic information resources, provision of more computers in the university libraries, provision of free internet connectivity to students within the university and providing constant power supply among other suggestions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page – – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Certification page – – – – – – – – iv
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – – v
Table of contents – – – – – – – – vi
List of tables – – – – – – – – – – ix
Abstract – – – – – – – x
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background of the study – – – – – – – – 1
Statement of the problem – – – – – – – – – – 6
Purpose of the study – – – – – – – – – 7
Research questions – – – – – – – – – 7
Significance of the study – – – – – – 8
Scope of the study – – – – – – – – – 9
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Frame work – – – – – – – 10
Overview of the use of electronic information resources – – – 10
Attitude towards electronic information resources – – – – 11
Preference to Electronic information resources for academic purpose – – 14
Factors that motivate the academic use of electronic information resources for information retrieval – – – – – – – – – 17
Problems associated with the use of electronic information resources – 18
Strategies for improving the academic use of electronic resources by the students 20
Review of Related Empirical studies – – – – – – – – – 22
Summary of review of literature – – – – – – – – – 29
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD
Research Design – – – – – – – – – 30
Area of study – – – – – – – – – 30
Population of the study – – – – – – – – – 30
Sample and sampling technique: – – – – – – – – 31
Instrument for data collection – – – – – – – – – 31
Validation of the instrument – – – – – – – – – 32
Method of Data collection – – – – – – – – 32
Method of Data analysis – – – – – – – 33
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF DATA
Summary of major findings – – – – – – 40
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
Discussion of the findings – – – – – – – – – 42
Implication of the study – – – – – – – 48
Recommendations – – – – – – – – – 49
Suggestions for further study – – – – – – – – 50
Limitation of the study – – – – – – – – 50
Conclusion – – – – – – – – – – – – 50
References – – – – – – – – – – – 52
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
University education is the process of teaching, learning and training in an institution at the highest level of education where one can get a Degree or do research to improve knowledge and gain skills.
Also, university education is a formal learning, or gaining of formal educational qualifications from the institutions at the highest level of education where one can study for a Degree, (Krejsler, 2006).
University education includes teaching, research and social services activities, and it includes both the undergraduate level and the Postgraduate level. University education generally results in the receipt of certificates, diplomas, and academic degrees.
In Nigeria, universities can be privately owned, state or federal government funded.
The objectives of university education include: developing reasoning about perennial questions, mastering the methods of scientific inquiry, cultivating the intellect, creating positive change agents, developing spirituality, and fostering a democratic society.
University education is very important to national economies as a source of trained and educated personnel for the economy. Universities are hubs of knowledge and information services in their institutions.
These hubs require modern technology which has advanced greatly. With this advancement, information needs of students have also changed (Chen and Wu 2009).
Information is the pivot on which the survival of any society rest. It remains the major ingredient in taking decision, and assist in reducing the degree of uncertainty. Information and its use are as old as man.
Indeed without information, there cannot be communication, (Olatokunbo and Asiru, 2011). Information can be written document or oral.
REFERENCES
Adenkule, P. A; Omoba, R.O; and Tella, A. (2007) Attitudes of Librarians in selected Nigerian Universities toward the use of ICT. Library philosophy and practice 2007 (December) http://www.webpages. Uidaho. Edu/~mbolin/tella 3.htm. (accessed 22/6/2010)
Adetimirin A.E., (2009) The Use of Internet by Information Professionals in Some Selected University Libraries in South West, Nigeria. An International journal: The information Technologist 6(1):9-12.
Adeoti-Adekeye, (1997). Electronic networking in Nigeria: prospects and challenges. ASLIB Proceedings 49 (9) 250252.
Adomi, E.E;
Omodeko, F.S and Otolo, P.U. (2004) The use of cyber café at Delta State,University of Abraka, Nigeria. Library Hi Tech, 22 (4): 383-388
Agarwal, R and Prasad, J. (1997) The role of innovation characteristics and perceived Voluntariness in the acceptances of information technologies. Decision Sciences Journal 28(3):557-582.
Aguolu, C.C. and Aguolu, I. E (2002) Libraries and Information Management in Nigeria. Maiduguri: ED-LINFOTM services.
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