Access to electronic journals for the provision of quality educational services by academic staff in tertiary institutions in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigates access to electronic journals for the provision of quality educational service by academic staff in tertiary institutions in Sokoto State. The objectives of the study were to find out the extent of awareness of e-journals by academic staff in the tertiary institutions; to determine
the level of access to electronic journals; find out sources of access and the challenges associated with access to e-journals in the institutions . The study employed a quantitative research methodology using a cross-sectional survey research design covering eight (8) tertiary institutions in Sokoto State. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection and administered to 329 academic staff. The data collected were analyzed, using frequencies and percentages. Findings from the study revealed that the majority of the academic staff in the tertiary institutions in Sokoto State mostly access free e-journals, through personal sources which most often not contain high impact research information for their academic activities. Also, many of the academics indicated that they access ejournals mostly through personal subscriptions. Recommendations made include the need for the institutions to expand their infrastructure on campus to increase the access point and create hotspots around various locations on the campuses that covers' every college or school to improve the accessibility of electronic journals for the provision of effective educational service.

Keywords : Access , Academic  Staff , Electronic journals, Educational Service, Tertiary institutions, Sokoto State