Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Date of this Version

2019

Abstract

The study was motivated to assess academic staff competence and Internet services affecting the use of open access journals in federal universities in North Central Nigeria. Survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised of 5,365 lecturers in seven federal universities covering both conventional and specialized universities. Sample sizes of 359 lecturers were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was designed and used for the study. Out of the 359 copies of the questionnaire administered, 330 copies were returned and used for the study. Collected data were analysed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistical tool such as Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used. Four research questions were answered and two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that the level of use of open access journals by academic staff was fairly high (weighted mean score = 2.84); the extent of the effect of Internet services by academic staff is fairly adequate. A significant relationship was established between academic staff use of open access journals and each of the following: extent of staff competence (r= .75; df= 329; p<0.05) and Internet services (r= .99; df= 329; p<0.05). Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, there should be constant training and retraining of computer and Internet use to lecturers in the studied universities, Management of universities in the North Central, Nigeria should install and improve their Internet services, procure and provide adequate information and communication technology (ICT) facilities that would serve the university communities effectively.

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