COMPUTER SKILLS AS CORRELATES OF USE OF ONLINE INFORMATION RESOURCES BY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

Authors

Nelson Onyeka Nwabueze, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Benin City, Edo StateFollow
Adaora Joy Udo-Anyanwu Ph.D, Imo State University, OwerriFollow
Nneka Eugenia Okore, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Benin City, Edo StateFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The study focused on computer skills as correlates of use of online information resources by Library and Information Science undergraduates of University of Benin, Edo State. The study was guided by three research questions and two null hypotheses. A correlation research design was adopted for study. A census study technique was adopted to cover the entire population of 273 Library and Information Science undergraduates of University of Benin, Edo State. A rating scale titled “Students’ Computer Skills and Use of Online Information Resources” (SCSUOIR) was used as data collection instrument. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research question one, while Pearson (r) statistics was used to answer research questions two and three. The hypotheses were tested using t-test statistics of simple linear correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that: the students use online information resources to a high extent; there is a positive relationship between students’ operational skills and their use of online information resources; and there is a positively very low extent of relationship between students’ strategic retrieval skills and their use of online information resources. It was therefore, recommended among others that since the use of online information resources is highly influenced by the LIS undergraduates’ level of computer skills (operational and strategic skills), the university library management should be organizing regular training for students on the acquisition of these skills.