Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
12-2020
Abstract
Researchers in institutions of higher learning are required to conduct researches that will expand the frontiers of knowledge, drive innovation in industries, and the economy at large. Consequently, research has become an integral component of a university’s curriculum. However, there is an ‘assumption’ that undergraduates possess requisite research skills at the end of their training due to their exposure to research. To ascertain this, this study investigated the perceived research skills of graduating Library and Information Science (LIS) undergraduates in a Nigerian University of Education. The study is a survey of the ex post facto type. Total enumeration was used to capture all one hundred and eighty (180) graduating LIS undergraduates. Out of the one hundred and eighty (180) questionnaires administered, only one hundred (160) questionnaires were returned and found useful for the study. The findings revealed that the LIS graduating students perceive themselves as possessing a high level of general research skills such as information seeking, methodological, and research communication skills. However, their problem solving and evaluation skills as well as their statistical or quantitative skill were perceived as moderate. The male graduating undergraduates also showed a higher positive perception of their research skills than their female counterparts. The study concludes on a predictive implication that the graduating students are likely to perform well in research-related jobs or professions in the future. The study thus recommends lecturers to motivate students towards being committed when involved in research and to gradually build the quantitative/ statistical analytical skills of the students before they get to the final year of study.