Print information resources utilization for social science research in state Universities in North Central Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the print resources’ utilization for social science research in State Universities in North Central Zone, Nigeria. The paper was intended to find out the availability, accessibility and utilization of print resources for Social Science Research. The paper adopted survey research design. Questionnaire of 20 item questions designed by the researcher and observation techniques were used as instruments for data collection. A total of 405 copies of questionnaire were administered to lecturers across the 5 core Social Science Departments. Out of these, 375 copies were returned validly completed, showing 92.6% response rate. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed among others the ten top most available print information resources for social science research. Accessibility revealed that reference materials, archival materials and library catalogue were very highly accessible for Social Science Research. While, a good number of social science lecturers utilized the print resources available for research. Constraints to utilization of print resources revealed lack of constant power, poor and wrong shelving, and misplacement of these resource on the shelves, lack of adequate library training, lack of adequate library use instructions for users, lack of library displays among others. The paper concluded that availability of print information resources in print format is indispensable for social science research, poor funding of university libraries has resulted to huge volume of obsolete print resources on the shelves and poor power supply among others. The paper recommended adequate funding by their owners (state governments), improve electricity supply, effective library guide, operational card catalogues for easy tracing of the resources, standby generators among others for effective use of print resources for research.

Key Words: Print, resources, utilization, Social, Science, Research, State, Universities,