Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Summer 11-3-2017
Document Type
Article
Citation
Ugwu, C. I and Orsu, E.N.(2017). Challenges of utilization of online information resources by undergraduate students: implications for information services. Library Philosophy and Practice (e- journal, ISSN 1522- 0222)
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore the direct and indirect factors underlying the students’ challenges with the use of online information resources in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and propose the implications of these challenges. This study used qualitative descriptive inductive content analysis that enabled the researchers to reveal who said what with respect to the research questions. Data were collected from a total of two hundred third year undergraduate students who visited the university library between September, 30, 2015 and March 31, 2016. The data collection was done through a questionnaire developed by the researchers. While the demographic information of the participants was illustrated in descriptive statistics, qualitative data were analyzed through inductive content analysis to represent participants’ views on each of the research questions. The results revealed that few online resources were widely used and that the participants preferred accessing these resources from Cyber cafes. The greatest of the direct factors underlying students’ challenges with the use of online information include lack of browsing skills, low internet bandwidth and insufficient ICT infrastructure, whereas the indirect factors include lack of internet access at home, absence of online assignments, lack of motivation to use online information and majority of the students not having personal laptops. The statistical difference in the opinion of the students on the direct and indirect factors was not significant. The paper concludes with the implications of these challenges for information services.