Journal of Information and Knowledge (Formerly SRELS Journal of Information Management)

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Demographic Variables and Web Information Seeking Behavior of Final Year University Students in Nigeria


Affiliations
1 Department of Library and Information Technology, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Nigeria
2 Department of Library and Information Science, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The study examined demographic variables and web information-seeking behaviour of final-year university students in Nigeria. The study utilized a survey research approach, employing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The research population consisted of 377 final-year undergraduates selected purposively from three universities in Nigeria. The results of the study indicated that students primarily sought web-based information to complete class assignments and research projects. Additionally, challenges such as information overload and the high cost of subscriptions were identified in connection with students’ online information-seeking behaviour. The study concluded that a good number of students frequently seek information from Google search and Wikipedia as well as electronic journals, which has helped them meet the demands of their academic pursuits. The study recommended, among others, that university libraries should encourage faculty members to continually assign research tasks to students that will compel them to visit their electronic libraries, where they will get new knowledge and acquire skills in web information searching. Librarians, through user education programmes, should organize practical sessions where students would be taught how to search and retrieve relevant web resources.

Keywords

Information Seeking, Nigeria, University, Undergraduate Students, Web Information
User
About The Authors

Bolaji David Oladokun
Department of Library and Information Technology, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi
Nigeria

Columbus Udofot
Department of Library and Information Science, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom
Nigeria


Notifications

  • Abdul-Hamid, H. (2014). What matters most for education management information systems: A framework paper.

  • Abosede, A. T., & Ibikunle, O. O. (2011). Determinants of library use among students of Agriculture: A case study of Lagos State Polytechnic. Library Philosophy and Practice, 6(1), 40–521

  • Alzougool, B. (2023). Online health information seeking behavior among laypeople in Jordan. Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, 35(1), 1–16.

  • Ama-Abasi, D.R., & Agba, U. M. (2021). Students’ demographic variables as determinant of utilization of information resources by undergraduate students in South-South Nigeria. IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology, 6(1), 33–39.

  • Amina, A. B., & Lucky, A. O. (2016). Challenges confronting postgraduate library and information science student in the use of electronic resources in southern Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice.

  • Bankole, B. A., Ajiboye, A. O. & Otunla, A. (2015). Use of electronic information resources by undergraduates of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. International Journal of Digital Library Services, 5, 1–14.

  • Folorunsho, O., & Olaniyi, F. (2021). Socio-demographic factors and online information-seeking behaviour of postgraduate students, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Nigerian Library and Information Science Review, 26(1), 1–10.

  • Hawi, N. S. (2012). Internet addiction among adolescents in Lebanon. Computers in Human Behavior, 28, 1044–1053.

  • Hayelom, T. (2014). Determinants of information resources and services use among students and instructors in selected federal ATVET Colleges in Oromiya National Regional State, Ethiopia, [M.Sc. Thesis].

  • Islam, M. D. (2011). Effect of demographic factors on e-learning effectiveness in a higher learning Institution in Malaysia. International Education Studies, 4(1), 4–7.

  • Korobili, S., Tilikidou, I. & Delistavrou, A. (2016). Factors that influence the use of library resources by faculty members. Library Review, 55(2), 91–105.

  • Krejcie, R. V. & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(1), 607–610.

  • Krishman, S. (2015). Students-centered learning in a first-year undergraduate course. International Journal of Learning. Teaching and Educational Research, 11(2), 80-95

  • Mollel, M. M., & Mwantimwa, K. (2019). Users’ Acceptance of E-Resources Usage at the Institute of Finance Management, Tanzania. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 15(4), 5-21.

  • Murugan, K. (2015). Utilization of e-resources by faculty and students of Universal College of Engineering and Technology, Vallioor. Journal of Advances in Library and Information Science, 4(1), 73–76.

  • Obi, B. B., & Oladokun, B. (2023). Security measures in meeting information needs and seeking behaviour of agricultural science students in Nigerian Universities. Southern African Journal of Security, 1.

  • Odunola, O. (2018). Influence of demographic variables on library patronage by undergraduate students in south-west, Nigeria, [Doctoral dissertation, University of Ilorin].

  • Odunola, O. A. & Tella, A. (2021). Demographic variables and library patronage of undergraduate students at universities in South West Nigeria. Mousaion, 38(4), 1–18.

  • Okiki, O. C., & Asiru, S. M. (2011). Use of electronic information sources by postgraduate students in Nigeria: Influencing factors. Library Philosophy and Practice. http://www. Uidaho.Edu/Mbohn/amireekhabhazan.htm

  • Omotayo, B. O. (2016). A survey of Internet access and usage among undergraduates in an African University. The International Information and Library Review, 38(4), 215–224

  • Oladokun, B. D., Yahaya, D., Jibrin, Y. A., Ibrahim, I., & Kehinde, A. (2022). Information needs and information seeking behavior of agricultural students at Kogi State University, Nigeria. Zambia Journal of Library and Information Science, 6(1), 30–36. https://zajlis.unza.zm/index.php/journal/ article/view/79.

  • Oyeniyi, A. S. (2013). Gender differences in information retrieval skills and use of electronic resources among information professionals in South-west Nigeria. International Journal of Library and Information Sciences, 5(7), 209–215.

  • Popoola, S. A. (2008). The use of information sources and services and its effect on the research output of social scientists in Nigerian Universities. Library Philosophy and Practice. Paper 183. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/ viewcontent.cgi?article=1188&context=libphilprac

  • Quadric, G. O. (2013). Influence of demographic factors on use of online library resources by undergraduate students in two private Nigerian University libraries. Library Philosophy and Practice. Paper 976. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2372&context=libphilprac

  • Shakeel-Ahmed, G. T. & Vinayagamoorthy, P. (2013). Information-seeking behaviour of business school students: A special study of University and Colleges located in Academic City, Dubai, UAE. International Journal of Library and Information Science, 5(11), 447–456.

  • Shen, K., & Shakir, M. (2009). Internet usage among young Arab students: Preliminary findings. European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Conference on Information Systems, Izmir, Turkey.

  • Sivathaasan, N., Achchuthan, A. & Kajananthan, R. (2013). Demographic variables of university teachers and usage of electronic information resources: A case in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(19), 90–98.

  • Williams-Ilemobola, O. B., Adetayo, A. J., Buhari, G. I., & Omorinkoba, O. G. (2023). Information seeking behavior and use of library services by disabled students in federal universities in South-West, Nigeria. International Information and Library Review, 55(2), 95–104.


Abstract Views: 104

PDF Views: 2




  • Demographic Variables and Web Information Seeking Behavior of Final Year University Students in Nigeria

Abstract Views: 104  |  PDF Views: 2

Authors

Bolaji David Oladokun
Department of Library and Information Technology, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Nigeria
Columbus Udofot
Department of Library and Information Science, Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Abstract


The study examined demographic variables and web information-seeking behaviour of final-year university students in Nigeria. The study utilized a survey research approach, employing a questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The research population consisted of 377 final-year undergraduates selected purposively from three universities in Nigeria. The results of the study indicated that students primarily sought web-based information to complete class assignments and research projects. Additionally, challenges such as information overload and the high cost of subscriptions were identified in connection with students’ online information-seeking behaviour. The study concluded that a good number of students frequently seek information from Google search and Wikipedia as well as electronic journals, which has helped them meet the demands of their academic pursuits. The study recommended, among others, that university libraries should encourage faculty members to continually assign research tasks to students that will compel them to visit their electronic libraries, where they will get new knowledge and acquire skills in web information searching. Librarians, through user education programmes, should organize practical sessions where students would be taught how to search and retrieve relevant web resources.

Keywords


Information Seeking, Nigeria, University, Undergraduate Students, Web Information

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17821/srels%2F2024%2Fv61i1%2F171200