Gender differences and use of digital resources in university libraries in Nigeria

Abstract

Gender inequalities and the use of digital resources (DR) were investigated among students at the University of Africa (UAT) in Bayelsa State and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) in Rivers State, Nigeria. The research was directed by two research questions and one hypothesis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used by the researchers. The study’s population comprised 6,500 students from the two universities and the sample size was based on the total number of students who used the digital libraries during the 2020/ 2021 academic year. The sample size was generated from the students’ registration list in the digital libraries. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. Yamane sample size formula was used to determine the sample size which is 696. Data were analysed with frequency counts, simple percentages, and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 was used to generate the mean, and standard deviation, while Chi-Square was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 significant level. The results found that the male students used digital resources more than female students. Data were analysed with frequency counts, simple percentages, and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 was used to generate the mean, and standard deviation, while Chi- Square was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 significant level. The results found that the male students used digital resources more than female students and the students he questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection, and the Taro Yamane sample size formula was used to determine the sample size which is 696. Data were analysed with frequency counts, simple percentages, and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 was used to generate the mean, and standard deviation, while Chi- Square was used to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 significant level. The results found that the male students used digital resources more than female students and the sample had positive perceptions of the effects of using digital resources. Further analysis using Chi-Square revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in the use of digital resources by gender in the study. The researchers concluded that university libraries should create more awareness and continue to expand and encourage female students to use digital resources to favorably compete with male students to enhance learning outcomes. The libraries should also organise training on how to use digital resources focusing more on female students.