Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
8-3-2021
Abstract
The paper investigated the awareness and perception of the academic staff of private universities towards the use of institutional repositories in Nigeria. Four research questions were formulated and three hypotheses were tested in the study. The descriptive survey research design of correlation type was adopted for the study with a population of 259 academic staff randomly selected from six selected universities in the three geo-political zones that make up Southern Nigeria. Stratified and convenience sampling techniques were used for the study. Out of 259 copies of the questionnaire administered, 182 were retrieved and found useable, representing a 70.3% response rate. A descriptive statistical tool was used to analyze the data generated. The findings of the study revealed that the academic staff had awareness of and positive perception towards the use of the institutional repositories. This study found that IRs contents are very relevant to the needs of the academic staff of private universities, and the institutional repositories were adequately used. The hypotheses tested revealed that there was a significant relationship among awareness, perception, and use of institutional repositories by academic staff of private universities. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.