INFORMATION NEEDS AND SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Authors

Lawrence ArumuruFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

This study was hinged on the information needs and seeking behaviour of library and information science undergraduates during the covid-19 pandemic in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Three questions were raised to put the study in the right perspective. The researcher employed the simple random type of sampling technique used to sample 184 respondents who are 200, 300, and 400 level undergraduates from Library and Information Science schools in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The questionnaire was used as the sole instrument for data collection. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (simple percentage and frequency counts). The finding from the study showed that the information required by undergraduates of library and information science includes: information for personal development, covid-19 preventive protocol, resumption of schools, health-related issues, socio-security, etc. The approach of undergraduates in LIS when seeking information includes: seeking information from course-mates online, consultation of designated chat groups, consulting lecturers, e-books, e-journals, and use of professional services. Also, it was shown that they consult various sources when seeking information, such as e-books, e-journals, websites, social networking sites, e-magazines, print materials, search engines, mass media, etc. The researcher, therefore, recommended among other things that covid-19 has helped to expose undergraduates to different approaches of seeking information and to be independent learners, hence, government at all levels, university administrators, and lecturers should inculcate ICTs into the curriculum of higher institutions of learning alongside the traditional system of teaching and learning.