Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2020
Abstract
This study dwelt on awareness and utilization of search engines for information retrieval by students of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Enugu Study centre. Descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. Two research questions were drawn from the two purposes that guided the study. The population consists of 5855 undergraduate students of NOUN Enugu Study Centre. A sample size of 293 students was used as 5% of the entire population. A questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. These research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation scores. The findings showed that the level of awareness of search engines for information retrieval among the students of NOUN in Enugu study centre is to a low extent. The result of the findings also indicated low utilization of search engines for information retrieval. The findings also show that the students use only yahoo search, Google, Bing, Ask.com as their most preferred search engines. Base on the findings, it was recommended among others that use of search engines be included in the course content of information literacy and library orientation as part of general studies in institution to enhance awareness and acquisition skills required for the utilization of search engines for information retrieval. List of search engines can be marketed to these students through various ways like posters, flyers, library website, social media and word of mouth for effective awareness and adequate utilization of search engines for information retrieval.