UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADAUTES’ AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC DATABASES IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Authors

INEMESIT UDOM UDOH, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom StateFollow
Nse Emmanuel Akwang PhD, CLN, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom StateFollow
Chukwuemeka Chukwueke CLN, Library and Information Science, Taraba State University, JalingoFollow

Date of this Version

Winter 12-2-2023

Document Type

Article

Comments

This article is an original work of the authors and has not been published anywhere else. The authors are seasoned scholars with undying interest in contributing to knowledge in Library and Information Science and enriching the frontiers of knowledge.

Abstract

The study investigated the awareness and utilization of electronic databases by university undergraduates in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. It adopted a descriptive survey design with a study population of 1,116 registered undergraduates-users of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) library and Ritman University Library. 224 undergraduates were selected using the proportionate stratified sampling technique. Observation checklist, structured questionnaire and unstructured interview were used to collect data for the study. 224 copies of the questionnaire were distributed, but 186 copies were completed and retrieved. The data collected were analyzed using frequency count, simple percentage, mean scores and standard deviations, with a criterion mean of 2.50. The study revealed that HINARI, EBSCOHOST, JSTOR, Science Direct, AGORA, AJOL, OARE, ARDI, and GOALI are available in the university libraries studied. It revealed a very low extent of awareness and utilization of electronic databases. It found that the major problems associated with the awareness and utilization of electronic databases by the undergraduates include: lack of adequate awareness of available electronic databases, erratic power supply, poor search and retrieval skills, poor Internet connectivity and access, inadequate electronic databases in relevant fields of studies, etc. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among other measures, that the management of universities should provide adequate funds for university libraries to subscribe to more relevant and useful electronic databases across various academic disciplines, and provide adequate infrastructure such as constant power supply and internet bandwidth to university libraries.