Use of Electronic Information Resources among undergraduates in Selected Private Universities: A Case Study

Abstract

The study examined the use of Electronic Information Resources (EIRs) with particular reference to frequency, purposes and challenges. The survey research design of correlational type was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprises 3,665 students across the six and four faculties of Ajayi Crowther University and Lead City University respectively, both located in the Oyo State of Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was employed and 10% sampling fraction from each faculty was used to ascertain the sample size for the study which yielded 367 undergraduates. Questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. Out of the 367 copies of questionnaire administered, 352 copies were returned and found useful for analysis, giving a response rate of 96%. The data was subjected to descriptive analysis of percentage, mean and standard deviation. The results revealed that the undergraduates’ frequency of EIRs use was slightly high and such use was for both academic and non-academic purposes. The challenges faced by most of the undergraduates in the two universities when using EIRs were Internet connection/network problems, frustration of finding too much information, interrupted power supply and limitations in the use of keywords to search. The study concluded that EIRs plays a crucial role in meeting the information needs of undergraduates and for their overall development.