Availability And Utilization of Information Resources And Services in The Special Education Centre Libraries in South-East, Nigeria.
ABSTRACT
The study focused on ascertaining the availability and utilization of information resources and services in the special education centre libraries in South-East, Nigeria.
The study was prompted due to the problems encountered by physically challenged student in the use of normal library services. Six research questions were posed to guide the study, while two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance.
The study adopted survey research design, and used observational checklist and rating scale as data collection instruments. The sample size for the study was 430 comprising five special education staff and 425 special education pupils/students.
Two-stage sampling simple random sampling was made. Cronbach Alpha technique was used to ascertain a reliability coefficient of .85. Frequency count, standard deviation and mean score were used to address the research questions while the hypotheses were tested using t-test of difference.
Results revealed that the number of available information resources for the blind and partially sighted is significantly less than expected in this context.
That the number of available information resources for the deaf and hard of hearing is also significantly less than expected. The study also revealed that the available information services for the blind and partially sighted is significantly less than expected, the available information services for the deaf and hard of hearing is also significantly less than expected.
The available information resources for the blind and partially sighted are not fully utilized, and the available information resources for the deaf and hard of hearing are not fully utilized.
The study concluded that the provision of information resources and services is less than expected. Also the available information resources and services are not fully utilized by the physically challenged groups studied for any significant impact in learning.
It was recommended that, there should be provision of information resources, such as Braille resources; tactile or raised surface; sign language books; adaptive or electronic devices. Services like: on-sight support; guided tours; facilities, etc.
Every such library should employ librarians who are clearly aware of the nature of work they do. Adequate funding for proper management of the special education centre libraries in Nigeria in such a way as to meet the present day educational demand for these classes of /pupils/students studied, among others. Suggestions for further studies were also made.
TABLE OF CONTENT
TITLE PAGE I
APPROVAL II
CERTIFICATION III
DEDICATION IV
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT V
ABSTRACT XI
TABLE OF CONTENT VIII
LIST OF TABLES X
Chapter One Introduction
Background of the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 9
Scope of the Study 10
Purpose of the Study 11
Significance of the Study 12
Research Questions 14
Hypotheses 15
Chapter Two: Review of Literature
Conceptual Framework 17
Theoretical Framework 91
Review of Empirical Studies 95
Summary of Review of Literature 106
Chapter Three: Research Design and Procedures
Design of the Study 108
Area of the Study 108
Population of the Study 110
Sample and Sampling Technique 110
Instruments for Data Collection 111
Validation of the Instruments 112
Reliability of the Instruments 112
Method of Data Collection 112
Method of Data Analyses 113
Chapter Four: Results
Data Analysis Based on Research Questions and Hypothesis 114
Summary of Findings 125
Chapter Five: Discussion of Findings and Summary of the Study
Discussion of Findings 127
Educational Implication of the Findings 130
Limitation of the Study 132
Recommendations 133
Suggestions for Further Study 134
Summary and Conclusion 135
References 138
Appendices 153
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is organized under the following subheadings: background to the study, statement of the problem, scope of the study, purpose of the study, significance of the study, research. questions, and hypotheses.
Background to the Study
There are persons with physical challenges at all levels in every society.The physically challenged are those who are hindered or prevented from acting or living the way ordinary people do.
Lawal-Solarin (2012), defines physical challenge as an inability to perform some or all the task of daily life, or a medically diagnosed condition that makes it difficult to engage in activities of daily life.
In the view of Gobalakrishnan (2013) physically challenged could be described as those restricted, hindered or prevented to have equal opportunities with their contemporaries due to physical deformity, he said they include the visual,hearing, mobility, cognitive, language and speech impaired.
REFERENCES
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