Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2020
Abstract
The ubiquitous nature of EIRs has made possession of retrieval skills by undergraduates imperative for effective information search and retrieval. This study investigated the influence of information retrieval skills on use of EIRs by undergraduates in University of Uyo, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was used. The population consisted of 34,301 undergraduates. Purposive sampling technique was adopted and a sampling fraction of 5% was used to select the sample size of 212. Questionnaire was used as research instrument. Data analysis was done with the use of frequencies and percentages, mean and standard deviation, multiple regression. Results show that most of the undergraduates in the three faculties {Science 52 (80.0%), Engineering 51 (76.1%) and Education 52 (69.3%)} noted that they used the Internet for research purposes and online databases were also found to be mostly used by the respondents in Engineering 29 (43.3%), Education 34(45.4%) and Science 29 (44.6%) in ICT centre. Internet was used on daily basis by majority 52 (80.0%) of the undergraduates. The level of information retrieval skills was high ((( = 64.0- 70.6). Slow network, epileptic power supply and irrelevant EIRs were the major constraints identified. There was a significant positive relationship between information retrieval skills and use of EIRs (r=.193**; df =206; p< 0.01). EIRs are essential for academic work of undergraduates. University management should ensure that students are trained on effective use of various EIRs.