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Information Needs and Utilization among Social Science Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities

Year 2016, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 1 - 9, 26.11.2016

Abstract

Information is a means through which knowledge about a phenomenon derived from observation, study experience or instruction and collection in varying ways. However, failure rates continue to increase in some universities in Nigeria, and information dissemination is not improving. This study, therefore, examines the information needs and utilisation of undergraduates in the Departments of Accountancy and Business Administration within three selected Nigerian Universities based on ownership. The study adopts qualitative research approach using interview method to collect data in the federal, state and privately owned universities. The research adopted snowball sampling method as it was difficult to determine the specific sample frame due to non-availability of intake records. The study therefore recruited ninety respondents for an interview from the three universities covering various disciplines in social sciences including Business Administration, Accounting, Economics and Finance. The study was guided by Wilson’s 1991 information behaviour model using it major variables of information needs, seeking, awareness, utilisation and outcome. Findings revealed that students require relevant information that will assist them to succeed in their academic career. It also found that information needs of students vary depending on their course of study. Students, however, utilise information for various purposes including academic work, social networking, community development and lifelong learning experience.

References

  • Aina, O. I. (2002). Alternative modes of financing higher education in nigeria and implications for university governance. Africa Development, 27(1-2), 236-262.
  • Ajiboye, J. O., & Tella, A. (2007). University undergraduate students' information seeking behaviour: Implications for quality in higher education in Africa. Online Submission, 6(1).
  • Al-Hikmah. (2015). The registry Al-Hikmah University. Retrieved April 3, 2015 from .http://alhikmah.edu.ng/historical-background
  • Allred, A. T., & Addams, H. L. (2000). Service quality at banks and credit unions: What do their customers say?. Managing Service Quality, 10(1), 52-60.
  • Altbach, P. (2015). Knowledge and education as international commodities. International higher education, 28.
  • Anunobi, C. V., & Okoye, I. B. (2008). The Role of academic libraries in universal access to print and electronic resources in the developing countries. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 189. Retrieved September 2, 2015 from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1194
  • Arikewuyo, M. O. (2004). Democracy and university education in Nigeria: Some Constitutional considerations. Higher Education Management and Policy, 16(3), 121-133.
  • Babalola, J. B., Jaiyeoba, A. O., & Okediran, A. (2007). University autonomy and Financial Reforms in Nigeria: Historical Background, Issues and Recommendations from Experience. Issues in Higher Education: Research Evidence from Sub-sahara Africa. Lagos: Bolabay Publications.
  • Bennett, R. (1999). Corporate strategy (2nd edn.). London: Financial Times Pitman Publishing.
  • Capon, C. (2009). Understanding the business environment (3rd ed.). FT Prentice Hall, Harlow.
  • Case, D. O. (2012). Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior. Emerald Group Publishing.
  • Chiweza, D. (2000). Brief communication: The impact of national currency devaluation, cash budget system and information technology on document supply in the university Of Malawi: The case of chancellor college library. Interlending & Document Supply, 28(3), 137-139.
  • Collins, C. S., & Cooper, J. E. (2014). Emotional intelligence and the qualitative researcher. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 13, 88-103.
  • DeCastro, R., Sambuco, D., Ubel, P. A., Stewart, A., & Jagsi, R. (2013). Mentor networks in academic medicine: Moving beyond a dyadic conception of mentoring for junior faculty researchers. Academic Medicine : Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 88(4), 488–496.
  • Duruji, M. M., Joshua, S., Olarenwaju, I. P., Oviasogie, F. O., Ajayi, O. O., & Loromeke, E. R. (2014). Ethnicization of university education and national development: The Nigerian experience. Retrieved October 22, 2015 from http://theses.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/61
  • Ejiwoye, R. O., & Ayankola I. A. (2011). Test anxiety and information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students of the federal university of technology, Akure, Ondo State. Nigeria European Journal of Social Sciences, 24(3), 386-392.
  • Ekundayo, H. T., & Ajayi, I. A. (2009). Towards effective management of university education in Nigeria. International NGO Journal, 4(8), 342-347.
  • Ellis, D., & Haugan, M. (1997). Modelling the information seeking patterns of engineers and research scientists in an industrial environment. Journal of Documentation, 53(4), 384-403.
  • Haag, S., Cummings, M., & Philips, A. (2007) Management information systems. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
  • Harwood, G. (1994). Information management. Logistics Information System, 7(5), 30-35.
  • Hawamdeh S., & Raigangar, V. (2014). Qualitative interviewing:
  • Methodological challenges in Arab settings. Nurse Researcher, 21(3), 27-31.
  • Huang, K., & Kelly, D. (2013). The daily image information needs and seeking behavior of Chinese undergraduate students. College & Research Libraries, 74 (3), 243-261.
  • Ifidon, S. E., & Okoli, G. N. (2002). 40 years of academic and research library service to Nigeria: Past, present, and future. 40th Nigerian Library Association, ASCON, Badagry, 22-33.
  • Igwe, L. E. B., & Ilechukwu, P. E. (2013). Effect of selection of vice-chancellors on effective administration of universities. African Journal of Higher Education Studies and Development, 1(1), 91-118.
  • Kerins, G., Madden, R., & Fulton, C. (2004). Information seeking and students studying for professional careers: The cases of engineering and law students in Ireland. Information Research, 10(1), 1-13.
  • Kingrey, K. P. (2002). Concepts of information seeking and their presence in the practical library literature. Library Philosophy and Practice, 4(2). Retrieved October 21, 2015 from http://digitalcommons.unl
  • KWASU. (2015). The registry of Kwara State University. Retrieved October 20, 2015 from http://kwasu.edu.ng/registry/registry.php
  • Law, D. (2000). Information policy for a new millennium. Library Review, 49 (7), 322-330.
  • Lin, W. -S., & Wang, C. -H. (2012). Antecedences to continued intentions of adopting e-learning system in blended learning instruction: a contingency framework based on models of information system success and task-;technology fit. Computers & Education, 58(1), 88-99.
  • Mann, T. (1993). Library research models. Oxford University Press.
  • Mattson, M., & Haas, E. J. (2014). Integrating metatheory to enhance qualitative interviewing: A safety campaign exemplar. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 13, 53-70.
  • Merriam, S. B. (2002). Qualitative research in practice: Examples for discussion and analysis, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.
  • Michael, M., & David, Y. (2005). A Framework for the utilisation of information technology in higher education admission department. The International Journal of Educational Management, 19(2/3), 87-106.
  • Mukoro, A. S. (2014). Gender participation in university education in Nigeria: Closing the gap. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, (23), 53-62.
  • O’Brien, H. L., & Symons, S. (2005). The information behaviors and preferences of undergraduate students. Research Strategies, 20(4), 409-423.
  • Okojie, J. A. (2007). Higher education in Nigeria. Being a paper presented at education in Africa Day, held at house of commons palace of Westminster, London. Retrieved from http://ww.nucnigeriainfo/es%20houseof commons.ppt
  • Oladokun, O. (2010). Information seeking behaviour of the off-campus students at the university of Botswana: A case of two satellite centres. Journal of Library Administration, 50, 883-898.
  • Omopupa, K. T., & Abdulraheem, I. (2013). The quality of nigerian higher education and the funding of library resources. Ozean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(2), 43-54.
  • Saleh, N., & Large, A. (2011). Collaborative information behaviour in undergraduate group projects: A study of engineering students. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 48(1), 1-10.
  • Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Student. London: Pitman Publishing.
  • Shigang, Y. (2010). Competitive strategy and business environment: The case of small enterprises in China. Asian Social Science, 6, 64-71.
  • Šimek, P., Stočes, M., & Vaněk, J. (2014). Mobile Access to Information in the Agrarian Sector. Agris on-line papers in economics and informatics, 6(2), 89-96.
  • Suzigan, W. (2011). The underestimated role of universities for the Brazilian system of innovation. Revista de Economia Política, 31(1), 3-30.
  • Tella, A. (2009). Correlates of undergraduates’ information-seeking behavior. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 16(1), 1-19.
  • Unilorin annual report. (2014). University of Ilorin Annual Report. Retrieved October 19, 2015 from http://www.unilorin.edu.ng/index.php/en/2013-09-02-10-18-35/2013-11-22-10-50- 37/2013-2014
  • Whitmire, E. (2002). Disciplinary differences and undergraduates' information‐seeking behavior. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 53(8), 631-638.
  • Widén-Wulff, G., & Suomi, R. (2007) Utilisation of information resources for business success: The knowledge sharing model. Information Resources Management Journal, 20 (1), 46-67.
  • Wilson, F. M. (2004). Organisational behaviour and work. A critical introduction 2nd. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Wilson, T. D. (1997). Information behaviour: An interdisciplinary perspective. Information Processing & Management, 33(4), 551-572.
  • Wilson, T. D. (1999). Models in information behaviour research. Journal of Documentation, 55(3), 249-270.
  • Zhang, W. (1998). Analyzing faculty and staff's information needs and use of electronic technologies: A liberal arts college's experience. Journal of Education Media and Library Sciences, 35(3), 218-241.
  • Zhou, L., & Nunes, M. B. (2013). Doing qualitative research in chinese contexts. Lessons learned from conducting interviews in a chinese healthcare environment. Library Hi Tech, 3(3), 419-434.
  • Zhang, W. (1998). Analyzing faculty and staff's information needs and use of electronic technologies: A liberal arts college's experience. Journal of Education Media and Library Sciences 35(3): 218-241
  • Zhou, L. and Nunes, M. B. (2013). Doing qualitative research in Chinese contexts. Lessons learned from conducting interviews in a Chinese healthcare environment. Library Hi Tech, 31 (3) 419-434.
Year 2016, Volume: 4 Issue: 2, 1 - 9, 26.11.2016

Abstract

References

  • Aina, O. I. (2002). Alternative modes of financing higher education in nigeria and implications for university governance. Africa Development, 27(1-2), 236-262.
  • Ajiboye, J. O., & Tella, A. (2007). University undergraduate students' information seeking behaviour: Implications for quality in higher education in Africa. Online Submission, 6(1).
  • Al-Hikmah. (2015). The registry Al-Hikmah University. Retrieved April 3, 2015 from .http://alhikmah.edu.ng/historical-background
  • Allred, A. T., & Addams, H. L. (2000). Service quality at banks and credit unions: What do their customers say?. Managing Service Quality, 10(1), 52-60.
  • Altbach, P. (2015). Knowledge and education as international commodities. International higher education, 28.
  • Anunobi, C. V., & Okoye, I. B. (2008). The Role of academic libraries in universal access to print and electronic resources in the developing countries. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), 189. Retrieved September 2, 2015 from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1194
  • Arikewuyo, M. O. (2004). Democracy and university education in Nigeria: Some Constitutional considerations. Higher Education Management and Policy, 16(3), 121-133.
  • Babalola, J. B., Jaiyeoba, A. O., & Okediran, A. (2007). University autonomy and Financial Reforms in Nigeria: Historical Background, Issues and Recommendations from Experience. Issues in Higher Education: Research Evidence from Sub-sahara Africa. Lagos: Bolabay Publications.
  • Bennett, R. (1999). Corporate strategy (2nd edn.). London: Financial Times Pitman Publishing.
  • Capon, C. (2009). Understanding the business environment (3rd ed.). FT Prentice Hall, Harlow.
  • Case, D. O. (2012). Looking for Information: A Survey of Research on Information Seeking, Needs and Behavior. Emerald Group Publishing.
  • Chiweza, D. (2000). Brief communication: The impact of national currency devaluation, cash budget system and information technology on document supply in the university Of Malawi: The case of chancellor college library. Interlending & Document Supply, 28(3), 137-139.
  • Collins, C. S., & Cooper, J. E. (2014). Emotional intelligence and the qualitative researcher. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 13, 88-103.
  • DeCastro, R., Sambuco, D., Ubel, P. A., Stewart, A., & Jagsi, R. (2013). Mentor networks in academic medicine: Moving beyond a dyadic conception of mentoring for junior faculty researchers. Academic Medicine : Journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, 88(4), 488–496.
  • Duruji, M. M., Joshua, S., Olarenwaju, I. P., Oviasogie, F. O., Ajayi, O. O., & Loromeke, E. R. (2014). Ethnicization of university education and national development: The Nigerian experience. Retrieved October 22, 2015 from http://theses.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/handle/123456789/61
  • Ejiwoye, R. O., & Ayankola I. A. (2011). Test anxiety and information seeking behaviour of undergraduate students of the federal university of technology, Akure, Ondo State. Nigeria European Journal of Social Sciences, 24(3), 386-392.
  • Ekundayo, H. T., & Ajayi, I. A. (2009). Towards effective management of university education in Nigeria. International NGO Journal, 4(8), 342-347.
  • Ellis, D., & Haugan, M. (1997). Modelling the information seeking patterns of engineers and research scientists in an industrial environment. Journal of Documentation, 53(4), 384-403.
  • Haag, S., Cummings, M., & Philips, A. (2007) Management information systems. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
  • Harwood, G. (1994). Information management. Logistics Information System, 7(5), 30-35.
  • Hawamdeh S., & Raigangar, V. (2014). Qualitative interviewing:
  • Methodological challenges in Arab settings. Nurse Researcher, 21(3), 27-31.
  • Huang, K., & Kelly, D. (2013). The daily image information needs and seeking behavior of Chinese undergraduate students. College & Research Libraries, 74 (3), 243-261.
  • Ifidon, S. E., & Okoli, G. N. (2002). 40 years of academic and research library service to Nigeria: Past, present, and future. 40th Nigerian Library Association, ASCON, Badagry, 22-33.
  • Igwe, L. E. B., & Ilechukwu, P. E. (2013). Effect of selection of vice-chancellors on effective administration of universities. African Journal of Higher Education Studies and Development, 1(1), 91-118.
  • Kerins, G., Madden, R., & Fulton, C. (2004). Information seeking and students studying for professional careers: The cases of engineering and law students in Ireland. Information Research, 10(1), 1-13.
  • Kingrey, K. P. (2002). Concepts of information seeking and their presence in the practical library literature. Library Philosophy and Practice, 4(2). Retrieved October 21, 2015 from http://digitalcommons.unl
  • KWASU. (2015). The registry of Kwara State University. Retrieved October 20, 2015 from http://kwasu.edu.ng/registry/registry.php
  • Law, D. (2000). Information policy for a new millennium. Library Review, 49 (7), 322-330.
  • Lin, W. -S., & Wang, C. -H. (2012). Antecedences to continued intentions of adopting e-learning system in blended learning instruction: a contingency framework based on models of information system success and task-;technology fit. Computers & Education, 58(1), 88-99.
  • Mann, T. (1993). Library research models. Oxford University Press.
  • Mattson, M., & Haas, E. J. (2014). Integrating metatheory to enhance qualitative interviewing: A safety campaign exemplar. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 13, 53-70.
  • Merriam, S. B. (2002). Qualitative research in practice: Examples for discussion and analysis, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.
  • Michael, M., & David, Y. (2005). A Framework for the utilisation of information technology in higher education admission department. The International Journal of Educational Management, 19(2/3), 87-106.
  • Mukoro, A. S. (2014). Gender participation in university education in Nigeria: Closing the gap. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, (23), 53-62.
  • O’Brien, H. L., & Symons, S. (2005). The information behaviors and preferences of undergraduate students. Research Strategies, 20(4), 409-423.
  • Okojie, J. A. (2007). Higher education in Nigeria. Being a paper presented at education in Africa Day, held at house of commons palace of Westminster, London. Retrieved from http://ww.nucnigeriainfo/es%20houseof commons.ppt
  • Oladokun, O. (2010). Information seeking behaviour of the off-campus students at the university of Botswana: A case of two satellite centres. Journal of Library Administration, 50, 883-898.
  • Omopupa, K. T., & Abdulraheem, I. (2013). The quality of nigerian higher education and the funding of library resources. Ozean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(2), 43-54.
  • Saleh, N., & Large, A. (2011). Collaborative information behaviour in undergraduate group projects: A study of engineering students. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 48(1), 1-10.
  • Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2007). Research Methods for Business Student. London: Pitman Publishing.
  • Shigang, Y. (2010). Competitive strategy and business environment: The case of small enterprises in China. Asian Social Science, 6, 64-71.
  • Šimek, P., Stočes, M., & Vaněk, J. (2014). Mobile Access to Information in the Agrarian Sector. Agris on-line papers in economics and informatics, 6(2), 89-96.
  • Suzigan, W. (2011). The underestimated role of universities for the Brazilian system of innovation. Revista de Economia Política, 31(1), 3-30.
  • Tella, A. (2009). Correlates of undergraduates’ information-seeking behavior. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 16(1), 1-19.
  • Unilorin annual report. (2014). University of Ilorin Annual Report. Retrieved October 19, 2015 from http://www.unilorin.edu.ng/index.php/en/2013-09-02-10-18-35/2013-11-22-10-50- 37/2013-2014
  • Whitmire, E. (2002). Disciplinary differences and undergraduates' information‐seeking behavior. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 53(8), 631-638.
  • Widén-Wulff, G., & Suomi, R. (2007) Utilisation of information resources for business success: The knowledge sharing model. Information Resources Management Journal, 20 (1), 46-67.
  • Wilson, F. M. (2004). Organisational behaviour and work. A critical introduction 2nd. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Wilson, T. D. (1997). Information behaviour: An interdisciplinary perspective. Information Processing & Management, 33(4), 551-572.
  • Wilson, T. D. (1999). Models in information behaviour research. Journal of Documentation, 55(3), 249-270.
  • Zhang, W. (1998). Analyzing faculty and staff's information needs and use of electronic technologies: A liberal arts college's experience. Journal of Education Media and Library Sciences, 35(3), 218-241.
  • Zhou, L., & Nunes, M. B. (2013). Doing qualitative research in chinese contexts. Lessons learned from conducting interviews in a chinese healthcare environment. Library Hi Tech, 3(3), 419-434.
  • Zhang, W. (1998). Analyzing faculty and staff's information needs and use of electronic technologies: A liberal arts college's experience. Journal of Education Media and Library Sciences 35(3): 218-241
  • Zhou, L. and Nunes, M. B. (2013). Doing qualitative research in Chinese contexts. Lessons learned from conducting interviews in a Chinese healthcare environment. Library Hi Tech, 31 (3) 419-434.
There are 55 citations in total.

Details

Journal Section Regular Papers
Authors

Tunde Kamal Omopupa

İssa Abdulraheem This is me

Publication Date November 26, 2016
Published in Issue Year 2016 Volume: 4 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Omopupa, T. K., & Abdulraheem, İ. (2016). Information Needs and Utilization among Social Science Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities. Journal of Balkan Libraries Union, 4(2), 1-9.