Influence Of Age, Gender, Subject Background And Predisposing Factors On The Admission Choice Of Undergraduates In Nigerian Library Schools

Abstract

It has been observed that not many undergraduates of Nigerian universities apply to study library and information science unless as a last resort. This situation is unwholesome for the future of the librarianship profession in the 21st Century Nigeria, considering its dynamic nature. Hence, this study investigated the influence of age, gender, subject background and predisposing factors on the admission choice of undergraduates in Nigerian library schools. This is to allow for a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the admission choice of this set of undergraduates in Nigerian universities.
The study adopted survey research design, with the Career Choice Influence Questionnaire (CCIQ), r = 0.92, as the major instrument of data collection. In all, 1,228 students from eight, proportionally stratified Nigerian university library schools selected by proportionate sampling were surveyed; based on the population of students per library school and for every class involved in the study. Secondary data were obtained from the students\' admission records. The questionnaire was validated through expert advice and pre-test. Students from the Federal University of Technology, Minna Library School were involved in the pre-test. Chi-square statistics were used to test the study\'s four hypotheses at 0.05 alpha level.
The study revealed that there are slightly more male librarianship students (50.3%) than females (49.7%), indicating that the course is popular with both sexes. That 46.9% undergraduates were in the 22-26 age bracket indicated that the younger undergraduates constitute the majority. Chi-square tests revealed significant relationships between undergraduates who chose the course originally and those who did not, regarding age and career choice (X2=11.1, df=5, p<0.05); gender and career choice (X2=3.84, df=1, p<0.05); subject background and career choice (X2=7.81, df =3, p<0.05) and admission predisposing factors and career choice (X2 =11.1, df=5, p<0.05). Thus, the variables tested influenced the career choice of undergraduates in Nigerian library schools.
The study concluded that the choice of library and information science as a course of study was influenced more by the identified admission predisposing factors than other factors. This finding has implications for stakeholders in library education, especially the library schools, the Nigerian Library Association and secondary school authorities, who need to create awareness and provide adequate guidance to prospective undergraduates on career choice.

The Information Technologist Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 70-79