ACCESSIBILITY, COMPREHENSIVENESS AND UTILISATION OF ONLINE RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH BY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF UYO, UYO

Abstract

The study determined the relationship between accessibility, comprehensiveness and utilisation of online resources for research by Library and Information Science [LIS] postgraduate students in the University of Uyo, Uyo. Two specific objectives and corresponding research questions were raised, and two formulated hypotheses guided the study. The study was premised upon User-Centred Design [UCD] theory. A correlational research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 61 postgraduate students in the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Uyo, Uyo. The entire population was used as the sample; hence, census sampling was used. The instrument for data collection was a researcher-designed and face-validated questionnaire titled” Accessibility, Comprehensiveness and Utilisation of Online Resources for Research Questionnaire” [ACUORRQ]. A trial test was used to assess the instrument's reliability. Cronbach's Alpha was used to obtain the reliability coefficient value of 0.8. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation [PPMC] was used to answer the research questions and to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The results show a very high positive relationship between accessibility and a low but positive relationship between comprehensiveness and utilisation of online resources by LIS postgraduate students for research. The study concluded that the accessibility to online resources for postgraduate students’ utilisation cannot be overemphasised, especially in today’s technology-driven society. It was recommended that a symposium be held for students on how to enhance access to research materials online.