Utilization of Electronic Databases Among Postgraduate Students in Two Selected Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

This study examined the use of electronic databases among postgraduate students of University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo  University in Kenneth Dike and Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Libraries, respectively. The study sought to discover how certain factors have  contributed to postgraduate students' full utilization or underutilization of the resources in order for them to enhance the quality of their  academic output. A survey design that employed questionnaire for data collection was used. 260 registered postgraduate students in the  two university libraries were sampled, using a proportionate sampling method and 228 completed copies of the questionnaire were  useably retrieved. Results revealed graduate students' poor familiarity with library electronic databases, as only JSTOR recorded the  largest percentage 21 .67% on familiarity. Also, financial problems, poor electricity supply, insufficient skills, poor training programs and excessive academic workload were great inhibitors to effective utilization of electronic databases by the students, even though majority  of the respondents perceived the benefits of adoption and use of electronic databases. The study concludes therefore that postgraduate  students have great prospects of effective use of electronic databases, when, all other inhibiting factors to such effective use, like those  mentioned above, has been removed.